Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
#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
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY People • O: The Oprah Magazine • Christian Science Monitor • Inc. • Library Journal • Kirkus Reviews
What are the advantages of being an introvert? They make up at least one-third of the people we know. 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 you see yourself.
Now with Extra Libris material, including a reader’s guide and bonus content
“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
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY People • O: The Oprah Magazine • Christian Science Monitor • Inc. • Library Journal • Kirkus Reviews
What are the advantages of being an introvert? They make up at least one-third of the people we know. 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 you see yourself.
Now with Extra Libris material, including a reader’s guide and bonus content
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✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI
Readers say *Quiet* offers valuable insights into introversion in an extrovert-focused world, blending psychology, neuroscience, and relatable anecdot...
Great book on the power of introverts who are sick of being told they (we) need to talk more and "Why are you so shy? What's wrong with you???"
But it got a little bit too rah-rah towards how introverts are all cerebral and smart and creative and introspective and just generally all-around wonderful people (even tho it's ALL TRUE!). And she points out that extroverts were the cause of the Enron debacle, the bank meltdowns, and all the nonsense that goes on in Congress (again, ALL TRUE!). But then she backpedals and says, well, but we need introverts and extroverts to create this wonderful balance in our society.
But for me it really was the positive jolt I needed to stop apologizing for who I am. She brought out some interesting studies and statistics that were eye-openers for me and explained some of what I've been going through my whole life.
She talks about how the extrovert came to be the "ideal," esp. in America, and the rise of "Groupthink" and brainstorming sessions - and how ultimately these methods actually have proven to be failures when compared with working alone to come up with better ideas. (And who thought the open work space was such a great idea??)
I was cringing during the chapter about introverted children and how society and parents try to "fix" them. The author points out that most schools now use the "pod" system, where four or more desks are pushed together for group learning activities, and one fourth grade classroom even had a sign up that said, "YOU CAN'T ASK A TEACHER FOR HELP UNLESS EVERYONE IN YOUR GROUP HAS THE SAME QUESTION."! A sure way for an introvert child to NOT have their needs addressed.
Interesting read, with some great insights.
But it got a little bit too rah-rah towards how introverts are all cerebral and smart and creative and introspective and just generally all-around wonderful people (even tho it's ALL TRUE!). And she points out that extroverts were the cause of the Enron debacle, the bank meltdowns, and all the nonsense that goes on in Congress (again, ALL TRUE!). But then she backpedals and says, well, but we need introverts and extroverts to create this wonderful balance in our society.
But for me it really was the positive jolt I needed to stop apologizing for who I am. She brought out some interesting studies and statistics that were eye-openers for me and explained some of what I've been going through my whole life.
She talks about how the extrovert came to be the "ideal," esp. in America, and the rise of "Groupthink" and brainstorming sessions - and how ultimately these methods actually have proven to be failures when compared with working alone to come up with better ideas. (And who thought the open work space was such a great idea??)
I was cringing during the chapter about introverted children and how society and parents try to "fix" them. The author points out that most schools now use the "pod" system, where four or more desks are pushed together for group learning activities, and one fourth grade classroom even had a sign up that said, "YOU CAN'T ASK A TEACHER FOR HELP UNLESS EVERYONE IN YOUR GROUP HAS THE SAME QUESTION."! A sure way for an introvert child to NOT have their needs addressed.
Interesting read, with some great insights.
This is a book that looks at introversion as a trait in an environment that applauds extroversion as the ultimate. I'm not quite certain what I was expecting out of this book, but I was a little confused by it. It's very easy to understand, I just didn't expect that it would be a hybrid of various research regarding introversion through the eyes of psychology, neuroscience, etc. as well as anecdotal snippets of people that the author came across in her research. Perhaps I was expecting one or the other, but not both. For me, personally, I wish it had gone into more detail about research portions - psychological research, more on various scientific research of the brain, nature vs. nurture, etc. Not that I mind anecdotal snippets but, in this case, I think it would have helped me to understand myself better to see more detailed research on introversion versus extroversion and what all those brilliant minds have found since they began to study these two traits. Otherwise, it was good to, at least, have a better understanding that introversion does not equal antisocial. Introverts just see people, places, and situations in a different context/perspective than those who are more extroverted. It's also good to learn that introverts can develop periods (albeit short periods) of extroversion especially when it deals with a topic we love or it's our passion project. This book also delves a little into children as introverts as well as introverts and extroverts as couples/significant others. Introverts can be every bit as successful as leaders, in areas where there are typically more extroverted people, etc. We just have different ways of getting to our goals and, sometimes, we just need a break. A solid read for those that don't want to dive too heavily into research, who want a good mix of research and anecdotes.
I really enjoyed this book and recommended it to a coworker who is studying child care and education right now. I learned a lot about myself and about others around me. I wish I could get my husband to read this, but I don't think that'll happen. Bummer.
I thought I was going to love this book and at times I did. There were pages, chapters even, when I was dying to know someone else reading this that I could share thoughts with about her ideas and studies. Btu there were whole other stretches when I just felt that her research or simply her conclusions were weak and unsupported, or simply wrong. It made me doubt the other parts as well. I was bummed because I think her general premise is correct. We do value charisma over character and if we could tap into the strengths of introverts it would serve us all well.
If you ever think to yourself that maybe I should be more outspokenly engaged, maybe I should put more efforts to speak and be like -(any extrovert you know)- ...this book will help you to recognize that you don't have to worry about changing yourself- rather just understand the strength that comes from being introverted.
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