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)

Insightful

I read this book to gain knowledge and understanding of people and myself. it gave me far more than that, I handle my wife my friends and my children differently now.

A very intelligent, satisfying book!!

This book held my attention the whole way through. The narration was well done and the entire book seemed well thought out and planned.

Why can't everyone just be....?

Every chapter is thought provoking and informative. The writing style is enjoyable and the narration is well matched. I feel like I just won a get-out-of-gatherings-and-smalltalk-free-card! I'm as justified in hating it as extroverts are in craving it. Of course this is despite the fact that all my extroverted friends (who never read) will still insist that I am anti-social and hate me for choosing home-alone over their party in the shallow end.

It's okay to be quiet

I'm an introvert. When I finished the book, I wanted one on extroversion so I can better understand those I work with and how I can work better with them. Sure this book gives me a lot of that, but I want to understand the extrovert more.

After feeling devalued at work, this book was so affirming. It helped me to see what I bring to the workplace, and will help me rebuild my confidence.

What a great message

I found myself as I listened to this book. it was refreshing and informative.

The world should be listening to this book

Quiet offers valuable insights that most could benefit from; whether it's to understand and accept yourself, your family, friends, colleagues or others you interact during life's journey. Place a premium on the individual, meet them where there are and nurture the best in yourself and others from that place.

Easy listening and interesting content

As someone who grew up introverted in an extroverted family, this book felt refreshing. I think there is a lot of good examples and I got a lot out of it.

perfect voice for introverted people

this book was great in me introspecting on my own nature. I also found that the narrator was excellent given the subject matter. while listen, I found myself in a "meditative zone". good work.

Fascinating,

Well written, organized and presented. I never got bored even though I rarely listen to non-fiction. Very soothing narration.

great insight and advice

after half a century of introspection, observation and a master's in psych, I still found it informative.
I strongly recommend this book to both introverts and extroverts - especially to the latter who have quiet children, and to the former who were raised to believe that there was something wrong with them for being quiet.