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)

Should be required reading for everyone!

Most insightful book I think I've ever read. If you want to understand the people in your life and why your relationships are what they are, read this book!

Everyone should know this book

Beautifully organized, researched and performed. I would recommend this to anyone who cares about human interaction.

Perfect for introverts!

What did you like best about this story?

I found this book valuable because it provided an increased understanding of introverts. This often misunderstood group of people was shown in a positive light of compassion.

Any additional comments?

We need both introverts and extroverts, so for anyone who wishes to understand more about the value of each and in particular, introverts, I recommend the book.

Introverts rule!

Felt understood as an introvert reading this. Very helpful for educators. Will likely listen to it again.

This explains a lot about who I am!!!

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

I would and I have..and it made quite a difference for her.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Quiet?

Now I know why my energy level sinks when we go out with friends. My spouse is extrovert and he has, since we both listened to Quiet, worked very hard to make my life easier. Now he understands me!

What does Kathe Mazur bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She is easy to listen to. Very nice voice.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

You are no way less than. Quiet is SO reaffirmed.

Any additional comments?

I am listening for a second time. .

From a talkers point of view...

This book was life transformative for me! And I'm a quintessential extrovert! But I graced with the pleasure of raising an introverted daughter who is introspective, cooperative, a deep thinker and very much a leader. She is in her freshman year of college and I wish she would have finished this book with me this summer....but even more I wish this book had existed 10 years ago when I was always coaxing her brilliance onto center stage! Some motherly instinct took over around the teenage years and I learned to encourage yet shield her from the other wolves and she blossomed and lead her junior & senior year classes. Was admired and the glue in her 'squad' (friend group) and although she's having to do it all over again in a very competitive college arena... I know from her tweets that she's establishing herself!

A tweet from her:
Me: internally overthinking every aspect of my life.
Someone: wow girl ur so chill!

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! for this book from this extrovert and from the introverts in my life whom you've validated their existence!

Quiet Power

Quiet was an insightful book. Over the time I listened, I followed along in a hard copy. It helped me understand some of my idiosyncrasies- especially how and why those idiosyncrasies clash with my extroverted partner’s tendencies. I’m walking away feeling better about who and how I am — confident in the way I don’t always have to speak, on how I process information and energy, my heightened sensitivity to SO much, and the fact that I am a good, strong leader (even as — or maybe even because I am — an introvert).

Very thought invoking

The authors point is very well displayed and thought out. I hope it gives educators a new pair of eyes to appreciate different temperaments in children in classrooms. There is nothing wrong with accepting who you are and enjoying different things from life, and learning that if you prefer not to be the life of the party you are just as appreciated by others.

For introverts

This is wonderful if you or someone you know is an introvert. A wonderful perspective and backed with collective views and opinions from scientists to political figures.

Very insightful!

As an introvert, this book helped me understand a lot of things about myself and feel more comfortable with my personality. It also helped me understand the extroverts with whom I interact.