Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking
£9.64£10.99 (-12%)
A SUNDAY TIMES AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER, THIS BOOK WILL CHANGE HOW YOU SEE INTROVERTS – AND YOURSELF – FOREVER.
Our lives are driven by a fact that most of us can’t name and don’t understand. It defines who our friends and lovers are, which careers we choose, and whether we blush when we’re embarrassed.
That fact is whether we’re an introvert or an extrovert.
The most fundamental dimension of personality, at least a third of us are introverts, and yet shyness, sensitivity and seriousness are often seen as a negative. 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. In Quiet, Susan Cain shows how society misunderstands and undervalues introverts while giving them the tools to better understand themselves and take full advantage of their strengths.
Passionately argued, superbly researched, and filled with real stories, whether an introvert or extrovert, this book will change how you see human beings for good.
*****
‘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
‘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
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Additional information
| Publisher | Penguin, 1st edition (3 Jan. 2013) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 352 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 0141029196 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0141029191 |
| Dimensions | 19.8 x 12.9 x 2.12 cm |
by The Blue Darkness
The basic premise of this book is quite an interesting one. It poses the question: are we increasingly moving towards a world where the extrovert ideal, of the sociable happy confident easy going salesman is the only person with a voice – and should we instead focus a little more on the valuable contribution of introverts to our society. Do we currently structure our schools, jobs and selection processes to favour extroverts over introverts. How does the brain chemistry of these two groups differ and how might introverts deal with some of the problems of living in a world where extroversion seems to dominate.
The book seems to have caused a lot of interest in the US – and it probably does stir things up a little in that culture, where extroversion is seen as the only appropriate social norm. Overall its a thought provoking look at the world with a number of interesting insights. It made me think differently about whether I was actually an introvert or an extrovert and also start to think about the ways that I , as an employer, value and treat the contributions and the variety of talents in my work force.
So the criticisms that follow should be weighed in the balance of that overall positive review.
Criticism one is the style of this book. It has, for me, too much of the “self help anonymised story” about it. You know the kind of thing. Bob (let’s call him Bob) was a middle aged manager who ahd been married to Mindy for 12 years. Mindy was a home maker and very shy, while Bob was captain of his local bowling team….” Blah Blah. A dumb story which neatly demonstrates whatever point the author is trying to make and usually ends with Bob and Mindy both changing their ways and becoming happier and better adjusted people.
But single examples are just that – silly manufactured stories about an individual – not an analysis of a problem using objective data. This book is good when it tries to look at groups and statistics – to analyse things from a societal point of view. The fact that classrooms are now arranged in ways that encourage group activity rather than individual study is a good point. The fact that some anonymised middle manager is now getting on better with his timid wife is just meaningless chaff.
Second cricitism. There is a conflation of introversion and extroversion too often with the issue of speaking in public. Of course public speaking is something which traditionally separates introverts from extroverts – but it is by no means the only or best test – and I feel that there is too much recourse to it in the book as a token for the introversion / extroversion paradigm.
Third, one gets the feeling that the author is in some ways telling you about her own story of emerging and flowering as a person content to be introverted. Fair play. Anyone can write a book about their own journey. But in doing so, the author almost falls into the same trap: the trap of everyone’s life having to be a “success”. It’s kind of “I was a timid lawyer… but now I have harnessed the power to be a GREAT timid lawyer. And I’m happy, (oh so happy) in my skin!!!” Actually, I’d think that the author would have achieved contentment more completely if she didn’t have to tell people how successful she had been in her slef discovery. Achieving self discovery (and then telling the world about it in a book) is really stealing the clothes of the extrovert and saying “me too!!” Better not to feel the need to judge oneself by the kind of tests that extroverts use to measure success – because al lyou are really doing is re-inforcing their validity when the aim of the book appears to be to suggest an alternative.
There are a number of other points to make – but you’ve heard enough from me to get a flavour. I enjoyed reading it, and it caused me to rethink things. But it also caused me to think that someone, somewhere could write a better study which was less like a combination of anecdote and self help manual and more like a neutral observation on an important topic.
by Alice
Perfect condition and can’t wait to read
by ND
I picked up “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” with the expectation of understanding introverts better, but what I found was an eye-opening revelation that has transformed the way I view myself and those around me.
Susan Cain’s insightful exploration of the introvert-extrovert spectrum not only offers deep insights into the strengths and qualities of introverts but also serves as a wake-up call for extroverts like myself to better appreciate and harness the power of introversion. This book is not just for introverts; it’s for everyone.
Cain’s storytelling skills make this book an engaging and informative read. Her anecdotes and the extensive research behind her arguments blend seamlessly, making it accessible and compelling for a wide range of readers. I found myself nodding in agreement and often saying, “Aha, that’s me!” or “I never thought of it that way.”
“Quiet” is not just about the inherent qualities of introverts; it also delves into the societal bias towards extroversion and offers valuable advice on how to create a world that caters to both personality types. Whether you’re an introvert seeking validation and guidance or an extrovert looking to understand and collaborate more effectively with your introverted counterparts, this book has something profound to offer.
In a world that often celebrates the loudest voices, “Quiet” is a refreshing reminder of the incredible strengths that introverts bring to the table. It has helped me appreciate the power of silence and solitude, and how crucial they are for creativity, leadership, and personal growth.
I highly recommend “Quiet” to anyone who wants to better understand the dynamics of introversion and extroversion and how they shape our lives and society as a whole. It’s a game-changer, and I can’t recommend it enough. Susan Cain’s work is nothing short of brilliant, and this book deserves every one of its five stars.
by John
I’m really enjoying this book, but the print is really small and makes it quiet difficult to read. I really struggle to read comfortably unless I’m in a really well lit spot.