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)

Was recommended, and glad I listened

I decided to look into Quiet after having heard more than one business leader/entrepreneur recommend it. As some one who has seemed to be a natural introvert but always sought positions and careers where extroversion was a much more sought after, and perhaps appropriate trait, this book has truly helped me to find more comfort in my natural tendencies. By comfort, I mean that I can still communicate clearly and affectively, without overdoing my professional, extroverted alter-ego. The fact that Susan bases most of the book on interviews, and studies really makes this a great book with real world application. It has also shifted my long-term outlook, as I have reconsidered whether I am seeking career roles that I think I should want, versus ones I actually want and can thrive in. I also recommended this to sales coaches and company executives that I work with since so much of the info Susan provides is applicable to almost any work environment.

Excellent & eye opening!

I finally know why I had such a difficult time in grade school & why I felt so different from my family members. I also use it to help me with coworkers, relationships, & parenting. Highly recommend!

Finally

I better understand much of my life’s experiences. I also better understand my children now and wish this book had been available 40 years ago. Fortunately my grandchildren are young and I can apply what I’ve learned to help and bless them.

Impressive

Truly impressive work! Will help you understand yourself and others in a way that you never thought possible.

insightful and reflective

This book provides a very well organized and researched insight on what an introvert experience is and why.

Eye opening!

Being an introvert, in addition to living with high anxiety, this book really helped me to understand so many things about myself in a whole another level.
If you have children or are planning to have them, read this!
I would recommend this to all my friends and family no matter if they are introverted or extroverted.

Beautifully and masterfully written!

I enjoyed reading this marvelous book and I learned so much about myself. I highly recommend it.

She sees us!

I wish I could give it more stars. It’s an incredibly insightful read. It’s also powerful in its quiet understanding.

Thought provoking

This is a thought-provoking book about introverts and extroverts, and what makes each personality type tick. It is useful knowledge since everyone is in one camp or the other (albeit to varying degrees).

I read in a previous review that the book was politically left (to the irritation of the reviewer). But, although the statement was fresh in my mind, I couldn't find any evidence of a political leaning. Yes, there is mention of Rosa Parks and Obama, but not in a political sense...just in relation to the topic at hand.

The reader is excellent.

One of the most liberating books I've read

What was one of the most memorable moments of Quiet?

I enjoyed how Quiet examined the change in attitude towards introverted people over time, exploring how our Western culture has evolved into an extroverted-worshipping (and celebrity-worshipping) one. I also found it interesting how the book examined Eastern cultures as they are much further to the introverted side on the temperament spectrum. I would have fit in a lot better (and maybe even been well-liked and "popular") had I been raised in Japan!

I have always been the way I am -- more quiet, introverted, deeply introspective, thoughtful, intimate, studious, and easily tired to the point of headaches by even brief periods of mindless small talk. But when I was a child, I got a lot of negative feedback for just being who I was. I was told I was "awkward" and a "late bloomer". I was teased mercilessly for being smart and having a kind of innate humility that many introverts have. I was bullied and did not fight back because again, it's not my nature. It's not that I let people harm me, but I didn't see how escalating the situation would do me any good so I just tried to stay off the radar since no one was there to protect me. I was labeled "weird" for being interested in things of more depth that children my age weren't interested in (sciences, law, meditation) and I tended to relate better to adults. Because Western culture worships the extroverted, salesman-type of person now, we have started labeling children and adults as having "problems", even mental illnesses, that are pure fabrication based on fashion. That is really pretty infuriating. I think this should be required reading for every teacher and parent of a sensitive, introverted child.

This is one of the most liberating books I've ever read. It helped me appreciate the great qualities in myself instead of thinking that I need to force myself to be extroverted to be "good", "successful", worthy of having friends, and successful at work. It's not that I can't stretch myself when it serves my goals (and this is discussed as well), but I can give up fighting to be something I'm not and focus on building a life and career that fits me more naturally. I also like how this book examines careers, temperaments, and suitability, although invariably even for a job that requires a lot of conscientious, detail-oriented work, the salesman is often (erroneously) favored just because he can razzle-dazzle the bosses. I'm a software developer and I see this all.the.time.

And this book is not anti-extrovert, it is just an attempt at restoring some balance and embracing diversity. In fact, a good deal of attention is given to showing how much synergy can happen when introverts and extroverts appreciate each others' qualities and styles, and work together. So not only did this book make me accept and appreciate myself introverted nature more... it helped me resent privileged extroverts less and understand them better.

All around, this is an excellent book and very well-read with insights for introverts and extroverts, alike. In a country that touts radical individuality, it's time to stop being a bunch of conformists and acting like there is only one temperament that is "best". There is a huge, rich spectrum of orientations out there with their own strengths and weaknesses. We need to build a world that leaves room for all types, for our children's' sakes, in our education systems, and beyond. I know for the child that I was, I wish there had been adults around me that understood that there was nothing wrong with being quiet.

Peace.