• 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
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (357 ratings)

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Quiet  By  cover art

Quiet

By: Susan Cain
Narrated by: Kathe Mazur
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Editorial reviews

International best-selling audiobook Quiet, written by Susan Cain and narrated by Kathe Mazur, is a fascinating insight into the world of introverts. Whether you’re an introvert, an extrovert or somewhere in between the depth of research in this book is undeniably powerful. This is an essential guide for understanding why and how people are introverted, as well as a tool for introverts to use the strength they have within themselves to accomplish great things. The quiet achievers of the world are given a voice and comradeship in this enlightening book. Available now from Audible.

Publisher's summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Quiet, the Sunday Times and New York Times best seller by Susan Cain, will permanently change how we see introverts - and how you see yourself.

Our lives are driven by a fact most of us can't name and don't understand: whether we're an introvert or an extrovert. This defines who our friends and lovers are, which careers we choose and whether we blush when we're embarrassed.

At least a third of us are on the introverted side. Some of the world's most talented people are introverts. Without them, we wouldn't have the Apple computer, the theory of relativity and Van Gogh's sunflowers.

Yet extroverts have taken over. Shyness, sensitivity and seriousness are often seen as being negative. Introverts feel reproached for being the way they are.

In Quiet, Susan Cain shows how the brain chemistry of introverts and extroverts differs and how society misunderstands and undervalues introverts. She gives introverts the tools to better understand themselves and take full advantage of their strengths.

©2013 Susan Cain (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"I can't get Quiet out of my head. It is an important book - so persuasive and timely and heartfelt it should inevitably effect change in schools and offices." (Jon Ronson, The Guardian)

"Susan Cain's Quiet has sparked a quiet revolution...perhaps rather than sitting back and asking people to speak up, managers and company leaders might lean forward and listen." (Megan Walsh, The Times)

"Quiet is a very timely book...maybe the extrovert ideal is no longer as powerful as it was; perhaps it is time we all stopped to listen to the still, small voice of calm." (Daisy Goodwin, The Sunday Times)

What listeners say about Quiet

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Flawed and preachy

Any additional comments?

As an introvert, this book sounded very interesting, especially since I've seen it mentioned a number of times around the internet as "life changing". Unfortunately, this book definitely didn't alter my life in any significant way. I already knew about a vast majority of the concepts since I've experienced most of the cases that are common for introverts. Some of the history and case studies were mildly interesting in explaining why some people are introverts, but the author just kept going on and on about certain topics for what seemed like forever.

The writing style in general was very tedious since most of the chapters start out in a weird faux documentary style of the author visiting different people and places to try to learn from different people's experiences on certain topics. I suspect this was to make it seem more intimate and less of a "knowledge dump", but instead it makes the book feel forced and less scientific. One major flaw that I noticed multiple times was that the author extrapolated meaning out of cherry picked anecdotes and then proceeded to talk about them as fact.

If I did learn anything, it's that the term introvert encompasses a huge spectrum of personal traits and characteristics. It's actually mentioned a few times, that a certain trait is common in most introverts, but not all. This makes the parts where the author proceeds to give advice on dealing with introverts that much more confusing since the advice will not cater for every person. Yes, most of the advice is a good starting point, but each person is different and as a manager, partner, friend or parent, you would be better served by actually talking to the person and working things out with them as individuals.

The general tone of the book was also overly "introverts are special", which is a shame, since the people who would actually benefit from this book more are the extroverted people who have an overly simplistic view on the topic of introversion. However, because of the tone, I doubt they'd enjoy reading it since half the time, they're made out to be this evil entity that's oppressing the poor, helpless introverts. I guess teenagers who struggle with being social would get a lot out of this book as well, but that's about the only audience that will enjoy it. Most adult introverts already know how to live with their personality and understand their situation in a society that prefers extroversion. This book is disturbingly flawed, often boring and preachy, so while there is definitely some useful information contained within, I'd be hesitant to recommend it.

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9 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent read


This book is very very well researched, presented and very enjoyable to read It’s a true gem.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A very good read

This book helped me better understand an aspect of my personality. I highly recommend it.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Everyone should read this book!

I am 41 and for the first time in all my life I am proud to be an introvert.

The world desperately needs this book.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great insight

Susan does extensive research and explains in a very understandable manner.

I now know why I have som difficult says at work amd how to mitigate these days

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    5 out of 5 stars
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One of the best books to listen to!

Loved it, I'd give this book 10/10.
Well written and perfectly narrated by a soft voice.

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Thank you for a thought provoking enlighting book

although I just finished it - I believe I can also say "life changing"

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Awesome read

Loved it, it was very insightful and memorable. I have recommended this book to a few persons.

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7 stars

This is one of the most interesting books that I’ve listened to so far.
It answered a lot of questions around why people act the way that they do.

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Amazing book

Clear and thoughtful selection of words, being parent of a quiet child I would say this book is an amazing authority on topic

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