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
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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Community Reviews
I am an extrovert who is dying to be an introvert. It is a well written book but at times, it keeps emphasising how being quiet is the way to go. I guess I need to learn to be quiet and listen more but between the CDO (OCD with order) and my ADHD, it's hard to be quiet and stay still long enough to listen.
I recommend this book to anyone who is trying to understand the world of introverts and why it's okay to be one.
Next book...
I recommend this book to anyone who is trying to understand the world of introverts and why it's okay to be one.
Next book...
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.
It has it's moments, and sits nicely on the shelf with Ken Robinson's The Element, though 100 pages too long. It gets increasingly self-helpish as it goes along. I would suggest skipping the book and just listen to one of the many podcasts with the author and save yourself time.
Excellent content and a book that I had wished I'd read to my younger self. I especially wish I had read it before I had become a mother.
In the book it says that one-third of the people we know are introverts and how they live in a world designed for extroverts.
As an introvert I could see myself a lot in this book. One example happened this past summer I had a big fight with my sister. The longer the fight went the louder and more expressive she became and the quieter and more contained I became. She thought we were really connecting. I just wanted the fight to be over so we could go our separate ways and get over it. When I reached the part about fighting in the book I thought well yeah that is exactly how this goes.
I really liked the stories about school. I remember in elementary staying inside and playing with my friend Jenny instead of going outside for games. In Junior high I remember standing on the fringes trying to figure out what I was doing wrong. Reading this I felt validated for hating group projects and group discussions.
As an introvert I could see myself a lot in this book. One example happened this past summer I had a big fight with my sister. The longer the fight went the louder and more expressive she became and the quieter and more contained I became. She thought we were really connecting. I just wanted the fight to be over so we could go our separate ways and get over it. When I reached the part about fighting in the book I thought well yeah that is exactly how this goes.
I really liked the stories about school. I remember in elementary staying inside and playing with my friend Jenny instead of going outside for games. In Junior high I remember standing on the fringes trying to figure out what I was doing wrong. Reading this I felt validated for hating group projects and group discussions.
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