Quiet

The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

By: Susan Cain

Narrated by: Kathe Mazur

Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Experience the book that started the Quiet Movement and revolutionized how the world sees introverts—and how introverts see themselves—by offering validation, inclusion, and inspiration

“Superbly researched, deeply insightful, and a fascinating read, Quiet is an indispensable resource for anyone who wants to understand the gifts of the introverted half of the population.”—Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR—People, O: The Oprah Magazine, Christian Science Monitor, Inc., Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews

At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over working in teams. It is to introverts—Rosa Parks, Chopin, Dr. Seuss, Steve Wozniak—that we owe many of the great contributions to society.

In Quiet, Susan Cain argues that we dramatically undervalue introverts and shows how much we lose in doing so. She charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal throughout the twentieth century and explores how deeply it has come to permeate our culture. She also introduces us to successful introverts—from a witty, high-octane public speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks, to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions. Passionately argued, impeccably researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and, equally important, how they see themselves.

©2012 Susan Cain (P)2012 Random House

Critic reviews

2013, Carnegie Medal, Long-listed

2012, Goodreads.com Readers Choice Award for Best Debut Author and Best Nonfiction Book of the Year, Winner

“As an introvert often called upon to behave like an extrovert, I found the information in this book revealing and helpful. Drawing on neuroscientific research and many case reports, Susan Cain explains the advantages and potentials of introversion and of being quiet in a noisy world.” (Andrew Weil, author of Healthy Aging and Spontaneous Happiness)

“Susan Cain has done a superb job of sifting through decades of complex research on introversion, extroversion, and sensitivity—this book will be a boon for the many highly sensitive people who are also introverts.” (Elaine Aron, author of The Highly Sensitive Person)

Eye-opening and relieving

It was refreshing to find so much relevant and well thought out information about introverts and introversion organized in one place. The progression of the book seems perfect to me.

I have always known I am introverted and some of what comes with that, but I have believed that it was necessary for me to overcome my introversion, as though it were a handicap. That always left a strong tension in between who I believed I was and who I thought I was supposed to be. Even while listening to this book, I began changing my perception of myself and altering my habits, and the difference has been notable.

I recommend this book, not just to people who are shy or have social difficulties, but even to people who, like me, find that being bold and assertive, social and outgoing, takes a heavy toll. There are ways to be powerful and effective without forcing yourself to be what others expect of you.

Listened and learned

If you could sum up Quiet in three words, what would they be?

Revealing and insightful

Who was your favorite character and why?

As a non-fiction work, characters are not the focus of the book, but Ms.Cain did a deft job of weaving together pieces of research with everyday observations.

What about Kathe Mazur’s performance did you like?

Her performance as smooth... with a voice well matched the the subject matter.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

There's a distinct difference between being quiet and shy.

Formative Book

I've never been very talkative, and this book helped me figure out why. I'm certain an extrovert will probably be bored out of their skull by this, as the narrator's voice is calm and soothing and the topic is meticulously researched and presented in a slow format that's easy to absorb. But introverts will likely love it for those very reasons.

Quiet was helpful in discerning not just why I tend to be less talkative than my peers, but also in how to circumvent and overcome the challenges Introverts face in a world that can't seem to shut its mouth for more than ten seconds.

Well-organized, thorough research, possibly trendy

Would you listen to Quiet again? Why?

I would listen to the parts I bookmarked a second time- probably 4 of the 10 hours - because there were some very deep insights from broad research areas.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The historical and psychological references were very illustrative. The organization was easy to follow and connected each chapter/part nicely.

Any additional comments?

A number of times, Kathe Mazur's inflection did not indicate a chapter or paragraph is ending, so there were times when I was "left hanging". Otherwise it was captivating and soothing to hear.

Hang in there!

It starts a bit dry, but a very valuable listen! Introverts have so much to add, if one has the grace to listen!

In a single word: intriguing

This book was awesome, learning about the various personality types and the strength of introspection, it was also extremely well referenced and researched.

Very applicable!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The method and organized way the story is told, especially the examples which relate very much to my experiece as a born introvert trying to make it in the extrovert world of business. The author's use of empirical evidence makes it more attractive.

What other book might you compare Quiet to and why?

NA

Which scene was your favorite?

The various examples covered in the book, I can relate to many of them.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Certain parts and examples were emotional. I especially was keen to the one about the introvert Chinese student surving in an extremely extrovert culture at Harvard Business School . Bringing the cultural context into this subject is unavoidable in today's challenge of effective communication.

Any additional comments?

Thank you Susan Cain for your great contribution to this untapped and misunderstood world of introvert thinking and feeling.

Validation is sweet!

What did you love best about Quiet?

So amazed to understand myself better and realize that being an introvert didn't mean I couldn't be a leader. It meant I could and a good one at that.

What did you like best about this story?

Examples of what an introvert is and does and how they are worth listening too.

What about Kathe Mazur’s performance did you like?

very nice voice.

If you could give Quiet a new subtitle, what would it be?

Listen to Introverts! They have a lot to say and you're going to like it!

Introversion: An in depth look.

Truly enjoyed the journey into the concept of introversion while also further understanding into the challenges faced. This for both the introvert and extrovert through life cycles.

Reaffirming

I loved this book. I am an introvert, and listening to this book gave me more insight into who I am as well as how to empower myself in a world of extroverts. This may seem like hyperbole to most, but I am not exaggerating. Working in and around southern politics, I am around many extroverts, and I look forward to being able to put to use what I learned from this book.