NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Experience the book that started the Quiet Movement “A smart, lively book about the value of silence and solitude.”—Daniel Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY People • O: The Oprah Magazine • The Christian Science Monitor • Inc. • Library Journal • Kirkus ReviewsAt least one-third of the people we know are introverts. … 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, superbly 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.
Now with Extra Libris material, including a reader’s guide and bonus content
more
I enjoyed this book. I’ve always felt like the introvert/extrovert dichotomy is a false one, but I think the author struck the right balance of explaining how this trait is a spectrum, that introversion isn’t necessarily synonymous with shyness and that friendliness is not a synonym for extroversion. I think Cain’s basic definition about energy is …
Finally, a book on all of us introverts. The recognition of the achievements a lot of us have made – and more to come. Just shows you the “quiet” ones are pretty smart, too. The studies done & the case this author makes that being private isn’t so bad – that we are happy & content & love being this way. An informative book for all to read.
Everyone should read this book. Introverts because you feel like you’re finally understood; extroverts because they need to understand that louder does not equal better. We are constantly barraged by sound/noise in this age, and media often gives the impression that a willingness to self-promote is equal to value. We could all benefit from …
“Quiet” is a very interesting book on introverts and extraverts that opened my eyes not only to the motivations and reasons behind my own personality but also helped me better appreciate the bigger picture and the “other side.” As an introvert myself (a very introverted introvert, it should be noted), I found that I had to face the same issues the …
Completely fascinating! I was excited about this book from the minute I saw it in the bookstore. As soon as I started reading it I realized it addressed some of the big questions I’ve had about personality–my own and others–and how we interact with each other. It’s totally changed the was I look at people and given me insights as to how we all …
This book came as something of a relief. To know you are an introvert is one thing but to read all about yourself and others like you in a book is something else. The facts are straightforward; we introverts do not like large gatherings of any kind; we do not like confrontation; we do not immediately answer questions because we like to think …
Beautifully fascinating book on those personalities who are living within rather than living out loud. Call them introverts, empaths, or just shy, this book dives into the real world stimulants that can impact the well-being of the Quiet.
I love this book! As an extreme introvert it’s great to finally have such a great book to help the noisy extroverts of the world understand us. And it helps us introverts understand ourselves.
This book is an anthem for every introvert who has felt inferior because of their personality style. It should also be read by non-introverts who love, or even know an introvert. It is a convincing case that the benefits of an introverted mind far outweighs the challenges that orientation presents.
After this book, I literally came out of closet and declared that I am an introvert and that this fact will never change and I won’t apologize for it. I am not even the most brilliant and interesting type of an introvert in the spectrum. I am just quiet and love to be on my own thinking rather than thinking about how to socialize. I felt very …
I’ve known for years I’m an introvert and lived accordingly, feeling comfortable and confident in that identity. “Quiet” was a fascinating read with its research and stories of very successful introverts. I believe the entire world would benefit from the insight in this book, especially Chapter 11 – “On Cobblers and Generals: How to Cultivate …
Sometimes, a book comes along for which you have been waiting your whole life. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain is one of those books for me. This book is also for introverts and for those who love or work with them. In a world where workplaces, schools, and religious institutions are trying to change …
I’m introvert so this book held a special interest for me. As the book clearly explains, we live in an “extrovert” friendly and an “introvert” hostile world. From our first steps we are taught that being “outgoing”, “social”, “friendly”, is the only way to be – anything else is unacceptable. Ms. Cain’s description of how introversion is just a …
I liked some of it so much that it earned four stars – but parts were really too self-help to my taste, so it wound up at a solid three. It was quite interesting to read all the theories – then again, I’m a dorky introvert forced to survive in an extrovert’s world… 🙂
A self-proclaimed introvert who has always hated when people called me shy, this book really spoke to me. Author Susan Cain went to great lengths researching us quiet types to understand how extroverts became the ideal. Quietness, and the lack of an outgoing personality, is often seen as a negative, when in fact Cain proves we need all types of …
A must-read for introverts and deep thinkers!
Great for us introverts who seem to feel that we don’t fit in…because the extroverts are trying to change us! This book shows us our value to the world!
The book gets you to understand how introverts have strengths that are not fully understood by the American culture. It gives you breathing room to capitalize on your abilities. Encouraging read.
Finally a book about introverts that answered a lot of questions I had. I have always disliked being in large groups and crowds. I was a teacher in a small college and always needed to get away after class to the quiet of my office so I could “recharge.” I thought something must be wrong with me and I was the only person who seemed to need this …
A fascinating study of the range of human personalities and temperaments from introvert to extrovert, by way of ambivert. A must-have and must-read for all future parents. Eminently readable — and written by one who is herself a confessed introvert.