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)

A MUST read for introverts & extroverts alike!

I'm not sure what I expected, but this far exceeded my expectations. I appreciated the many different aspects the author inspected...biology, work place implications, marital relationship, classroom considerations & ideas that, as a parent, I'm glad to have awareness of. She does a beautiful job holding that we not swing the pendulum from one school of thought to another, but that we hold up that there are benefits in both!!

Great insight into a world that isn't valued

Would you listen to Quiet again? Why?

Read this book for two reasons. First, if you feel that you are being forced to live outside of who you are, especially in groups. Second, if you lead a team of people, especially a team of creatives or problem solvers.

The strength of the book was the way she traced personality and the forces of nature and nurture. The section for parents and teachers as excellent.

The weakness is that she at times was that she seemed to make a straw man argument about certain things that as an introvert she doesn't value. For example, the chapter on Saddle back totally dismissed the small groups they do as well as one on one study time.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, way too long and I find the topic hard to concentrate on for too long without it all running together.

Insightful

our book club members couldn't stop talking about finding themselves in the book. great listen.

Excellent and thought provoking book.

I will reread this book many times. Every chapter is eye opening. As an introvert I am just beginning to understand that I don't have to apologize for being quiet!

Excellent book explaining introversion very well

loved the second half of this book so very much. it really speaks volumes about how introversion and extroversion interact but also gravitate towards each other. I found myself nodding in agreement at every point and section. learned a lot and a ton of great takeaways!

A profound view and perspective on introverts.

I was really entertained by the subject and the pace of the narrative kept me engaged.

You're not introverted, you're quiet.

Recommend it to anyone who has been labeled an introvert. Easy listen, explains me, my wife, and my children. Thank you for carrying it.

Life changing boom

I wish this book had been around 30 years ago. It has completely enlightened me and changed my world. An introvert married to an extrovert for 35 years, I cannot tell you how this book could have changed our lives. I always thought there was something wrong with me and my husband and his family did too. Chapter 10 about relationships could have been written about us. I recommend this book with all my heart♥️

Beyond Fascinating!

It, at times, almost seemed creepy how well this book (no pun intended) spoke to me. Highly recommended not just to teachers but I'd say everyone needs to give this a read (or listen.)

Loved it.

This book helped me understand myself and my family more than I would have ever expected.