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Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking
 
 
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Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking [Kindle Edition]

Susan Cain (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews) |
Print List Price: £8.99
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Review

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. In our booming culture, hers is a still, small voice that punches above its weight. Perhaps rather than sitting back and asking people to speak up, managers and company leaders might lean forward and listen (Megan Walsh The Times )

Quiet is a very timely book, and Cain's central thesis is fresh and important. 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 )

A startling, important, and readable page-turner (Naomi Wolf, author of The Beauty Myth )

Mark my words, this book will be a bestseller (Guy Kawasaki, author of Enchantment )

Review

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. In our booming culture, hers is a still, small voice that punches above its weight. Perhaps rather than sitting back and asking people to speak up, managers and company leaders might lean forward and listen -- Megan Walsh The Times Quiet is a very timely book, and Cain's central thesis is fresh and important. 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 A startling, important, and readable page-turner Naomi Wolf, author of The Beauty Myth Mark my words, this book will be a bestseller Guy Kawasaki, author of Enchantment
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
51 of 52 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Insightful and well researched work on the world of the quieter person. 26 April 2012
By Dr. Stephen J. Wooding VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
Written by an introvert mainly for introverts, this is a good mix of research, reflection, anecdotes and advice that's also obviously quite a personal work for the author. It's well written, definitely thoroughly researched though at times feels like she's trying to justify the introvert's way of being rather than overtly celebrate it - perhaps just a reflection of the subtext of the book!

As someone who's clearly been a life-long introvert and also an experiences personality and psychometric profiler I was curious to see what the author's take would be on the introvert vs. extrovert debate. My impression is that she's writing from the point of view of an introvert who found herself vying for a place in an extrovert's world who then discovered more and more people like her. She refers to the 'Extrovert Ideal' a lot which seems to be a reflection of the fact she's US-based and statistically this is a more extrovert nation and culture with around 65% of the population measuring as extroverts, casting introverts into the minority. However, for the UK reader it might be a little trickier to identify so intensely with her experience as in the UK the population is split almost evenly.

My guess is that this book is more likely to be read by more introverted souls seeking to understand themselves and their power better - and I'll be recommending it to some of my friends! It would be a shame for the extroverts of the world to miss out on getting to grips with what's actually happening beneath the calmer, quieter, more placid surfaces of some of their family, friends and colleagues, and I'll be recommending that those friends then pass it on to the extroverts in their lives!

What I liked about 'Quiet' was:

- it's not a psychology text book and is more deeply personal, sharing people's experiences
- for those who are unfamiliar with what introversion is and the reality of the 'inner world' experience, it serves as a great introduction, whether you are an introvert or work with or live with one or more
- there's plenty of good research quoted to back up the author's reflections, ideas and recommendations
- it's written in an engaging and approachable style with no hyperbole or self-aggrandisement, unlike some self-help literature
- although she could rage against the glorification of the extrovert ideal, she doesn't

My criticisms (if you can call them that) are:

- it is definitely written from the 'introverts are the minority' point of view which in the UK isn't true in general, though certainly is true of some professions
- she has a very wide definition of the behaviours and preferences linked to introversion, some of which I don't wholly agree with and isn't used by the psychological community at large

All in all I found it to be a solid, informative and well-written exposition of the true, if quiet, power of introverts.
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105 of 112 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Mixed Feelings 24 Mar 2012
By Sentinel TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
In `Quiet, The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking', introvert ex-corporate lawyer, Susan Cain, describes and illustrates a body of mostly US-centric research into personality types, which she divides into introverts and extroverts. Throughout the book, she weaves in her personal tales of inner transformation once she takes on board both the strengths and weaknesses of being an introvert, growing up and working in an American culture that appears to value and reward extrovert behaviour above all.

In the two and a half page conclusion of the book, she summarises maybe all you need to know about the strategies that introverts can adopt to take full advantage of their strengths (measured decision-making; empathy; analysis of situations based on sustained observation and reflection; intuition; ethical stances; preference for deep and meaningful social contacts; love of quiet and replenishing spaces etc).

Susan Cain comes across as sincere, sensitive, thoughtful and brave - as one might expect from her description of the typical introvert nature. She argues passionately that introverts, including those who come to the USA from a more culturally-introverted country, feel criticised and undervalued for being the way they are - shyness, sensitivity and seriousness are often seen as being negatives.

In some social and educational contexts, introversion is even seen as a kind of mental illness or learning disadvantage that must be cured. The author in fact acknowledges that constant exposure to extrovert behaviour; the pressure to perform in an inauthentic and pretend-extrovert manner; or just to `fit in' to a brash, noisy, insensitive world can be physically and emotionally damaging to someone more introverted.

The language and tone used in the book is that of American popular psychology and, as such, may grate on the European or British reader. Moreover, as most of the named people, cultural references, research and contexts mentioned are US-centric, I found this book somewhat frustrating. I hesitated between giving the book 3 or 4 stars, but recognise that introverts, like myself, need all the encouragement they can get!
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150 of 161 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Watch Susan's TED presentation instead 19 Mar 2012
By Rosey Lea TOP 1000 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
Susan Cain presented a wonderful speech to the TED conference regarding the difficulties faced by introverts in a world that prizes extroverts. Both have strengths and weaknesses, but education systems and working styles have become geared to the extrovert skill set, to the point where introversion is seen as an undesirable weakness, almost a mental illness, and must be overcome. It's acceptable to spend 4 hours in a meeting with 20 people achieving nothing, but not to sit on your own for half an hour and complete the work from start to finish.

Susan's 20 minute speech was fascinating and I eagerly awaited her book, but I have to admit I'm a little disappointed now it's here.

Part autobiography, part social commentary, the book adds very little to Susan's TED presentation. If anything, it detracts from it. The book is directly written for the American audience - American people talking about American research and life in America, so by the end of was craving something with a wider net of references.

The practical advice to introverts is interesting, but mainly because it acknowledges that constant exposure to extrovert behaviour can be damaging to someone more introverted (been there!), but could you really afford to turn down a job because the desk layout wasn't right for your introvert needs? Do you really have a paediatrician recommended `engagement skills' group that your nervous toddler can attend?

As someone who's more introvert than extrovert, the book made me feel a little hopeless, rather than a little empowered.

For anyone who's ever wondered whether their choice to get an early night, rather than go out and party, really does lead to a diagnosis of social phobia, low self-esteem and childhood confidence failure, Susan's work is liberation. But I'd recommend taking 20 minutes to watch her full TED presentation rather than buying the book.

(Small NB - the book cover is white and porous. After half a day in a bag the book's ruined.)
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Mind-opener
I came across this book in a book-store, sealed with a promotional band, which made it impossible to read more than the back cover. Still I was intrigued. Read more
Published 6 days ago by Brian Fennelly
4.0 out of 5 stars Thoughtful insights
Stands out above the general run of self-help pop psychology books as a series of well evidenced observations on other ways of being rather than a 'how to be wonderful' lexicon. Read more
Published 7 days ago by R. SLATER
2.0 out of 5 stars Not about introversion
Susan Cain now has 500+ reviews of her book on "introversion." Seems she really hit the jackpot and has made quite the sum from it. Read more
Published 22 days ago by asp
4.0 out of 5 stars A positive book that could provide a lot of areas for discussion
If you don't already feel good about being an introvert then this book is likely to make you feel a lot better about it. Read more
Published 1 month ago by J Hutch
3.0 out of 5 stars Good but a little technical.
I chose to read this book being a typical introvert in an extrovert world in the hope of picking up tips. I don't seem to have got to that section yet! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sarah Homatidis
4.0 out of 5 stars At last, a book that celebrates introverts!
As an introvert who has spent her life being trained to be more extrovert (and finding the whole process both draining of self-esteem and uncomfortable), it was a real pleasure to... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Kim Tindill
4.0 out of 5 stars A validating book
I am very happy about this 'introvert revolution' that seems to be going on at the moment of which this book is surely part. Read more
Published 1 month ago by josie82
5.0 out of 5 stars Shhh - Don't tell Everyone, but this is a very good book
Finally a book praising the fact that the quieter and shy members of society have as much to offer as those who have a natural ability to be heard. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Half Man, Half Book
4.0 out of 5 stars A self discovery guide for introverts
A great book, that I am sure will truly add a lot of value to introverts out there, which according to Susan, make up almost 50% of the population. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Daniel RR
4.0 out of 5 stars Seriously insightful
It's taken me a while to read this book, which is often a sign it's actually getting through to me. It's a really interesting book to read, regardless of whether you are or are... Read more
Published 3 months ago by E. Chittenden
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