Review: Quiet by Susan Cain

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking 
by Susan Cain

Publisher:  Crown

Pages:  352

Format: ARC 

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking, reading to partying; who invent and create but prefer not to pitch their own ideas; who favor working on their own over brainstorming in teams. Although they are often labeled “quiet,” it is to introverts we owe many of the great contributions to society—from Van Gogh’s sunflowers to the invention of the personal computer. 

Passionately argued, impressively researched, and filled with the indelible stories of real people, Quiet shows how dramatically we undervalue introverts, and how much we lose in doing so. Susan Cain charts the rise of “the extrovert ideal” over the twentieth century and explores its far-reaching effects—how it helps to determine everything from how parishioners worship to who excels at Harvard Business School. And she draws on cutting-edge research on the biology and psychology of temperament to reveal how introverts can modulate their personalities according to circumstance, how to empower an introverted child, and how companies can harness the natural talents of introverts. This extraordinary book has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and, equally important, how they see themselves.





Kritters Thoughts:  After reading this book, I feel I must say, Yes, I admit I am an extrovert and I like it.  I have moments where I need to take a break from it all and hibernate, but in my heart, I love to be out and around people.  I am surrounded by introverts on a daily basis and maybe I don't quite understand what makes them tick and what they need on a daily basis.  


This book not only shows what introverts need in relationships, but also at the workplace.  The final chapter is a complete source for parents and teachers on how to interact with introverted children.  I think the author does a great job of making valid points and using interesting research to back up and explain each point.  Although this is non-fiction and has a little bit of an academic approach, it reads much easier than a textbook and is a worthy read.


I would recommend this book to both introverts and extroverts.  I think the extroverts need to learn how to adapt around introverts, while the introverts need to find the confidence in their own personality traits.  


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row


GR Cover Challenge 2012: It Matches!


Off the Shelf Challenge 2012: 2 out of 50


Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from the author.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.