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Review: Quiet The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
This is NOT Susan Cain's book The Power of Introverts. It is a cliff-notes type "book review" of that book. Reviewers beware.
In reviewing the best new books of 2012, one commonly recognized title was the self-help book Quiet, by Susan Cain. Ms. Cain’s work graced a variety of national Top 10 lists including those by the magazines People, Inc, and O (Oprah) among others.
She summarizes five years of research and argues that our society has ignored a veritable powder-keg of untapped talent. Susan Cain studied at Princeton and Harvard Law School, and she practiced corporate law for seven years representing a variety of large, multi-national corporations including Goldman-Sachs, and General Electric.
In her profession she learned that solitude can be a catalyst for innovation and that quiet leadership is not an oxymoron. Her primary message is that society has greatly overlooked the intellectual gifts of the introverted, and this claim is strongly supported throughout her book.
In reviewing the best new books of 2012, one commonly recognized title was the self-help book Quiet, by Susan Cain. Ms. Cain’s work graced a variety of national Top 10 lists including those by the magazines People, Inc, and O (Oprah) among others.
She summarizes five years of research and argues that our society has ignored a veritable powder-keg of untapped talent. Susan Cain studied at Princeton and Harvard Law School, and she practiced corporate law for seven years representing a variety of large, multi-national corporations including Goldman-Sachs, and General Electric.
In her profession she learned that solitude can be a catalyst for innovation and that quiet leadership is not an oxymoron. Her primary message is that society has greatly overlooked the intellectual gifts of the introverted, and this claim is strongly supported throughout her book.
65 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 11, 2013
9 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 26, 2014
Quiet by Susan Cain is a well researched book about the value of introversion. Cain has been very thorough in putting together a book that covers many aspects of the introvert personality. She writes in a context where the extroverted personality is highly valued in Western society and why this is not the case in other cultures, particularly Asian culture.
This book is written in a non-academic manner that is easy to understand. In this regard, I enjoyed the inclusion of short descriptions of people's appearance and comments at the different meeting Cain attended as she collected material for the book. This lightened the more scholarly sections of the book. It was also clear that Cain has a subtle sense of humour which also lightened the material.
About half way through the book I began to feel that introverts were so wonderful that they should rule the world! But Cain did balance this as the book progressed by pointing out the most productive working environments are where introverts and extroverts work together. The real value of the book comes from explaining how different personality types can work together to reach significant outcomes if they are prepared to adjust their work environments. Cain's most telling point was that group work is not productive unless the individuals involved have first thought through the issues that are going to be addressed. This is true even if the group is made up of extroverts.
Cain does not just address work environments but also schools and personal relationships.
Overall an informative and interesting book.
This book is written in a non-academic manner that is easy to understand. In this regard, I enjoyed the inclusion of short descriptions of people's appearance and comments at the different meeting Cain attended as she collected material for the book. This lightened the more scholarly sections of the book. It was also clear that Cain has a subtle sense of humour which also lightened the material.
About half way through the book I began to feel that introverts were so wonderful that they should rule the world! But Cain did balance this as the book progressed by pointing out the most productive working environments are where introverts and extroverts work together. The real value of the book comes from explaining how different personality types can work together to reach significant outcomes if they are prepared to adjust their work environments. Cain's most telling point was that group work is not productive unless the individuals involved have first thought through the issues that are going to be addressed. This is true even if the group is made up of extroverts.
Cain does not just address work environments but also schools and personal relationships.
Overall an informative and interesting book.
September 12, 2014
Normally I don’t enjoy non fiction books, but i found Quiet by Susan Cain to have quite an interesting perspective on our society. It explores the way the our world is filled with two main personalities, introverts and extroverts. Its analysis on how the population seems more attracted to extroverted personalities than introverted ones and then showed examples of how being introverted can help to become more successful in life. I thought the author seemed a little angry towards extroverts because of their outgoing personalities which made me not be fully invested in the book though, since she had a bad attitude about them. I would give this book a rating of a seven.
July 8, 2015
What a fascinating book, being an introvert myself, Susan Cain confirmed many of the myths I was thinking are actually true. I think all my fellow introverts should get together and take over the world; we may actually get things done.
Then again I suppose we need to have one or two extroverts just to keep their egos happy.
Worth a read.
Then again I suppose we need to have one or two extroverts just to keep their egos happy.
Worth a read.
May 13, 2015
Really enjoyed this and there was a lot that I could apply to my relationships. Like why my (extroverted) husband enjoys watching TV to relax/de-stress, whereas I would rather retreat to a quiet space/sleep it off. It's a good source of conversation starters too.
October 15, 2020
Quiet Power is actually targeted toward a younger audience who may struggle with the same issues, but even as an adult I learned a few things about myself while reading this book. I wish I had read this when I was still at school. Sometimes as an introvert you are made to feel as though there is something wrong with you because you are not loud or as outspoken as others, people will often call you shy because you don’t talk much without understanding the reasons behind that quietness. This book tackles those issues.
It features stories about introverts in different situations and how they managed to overcome those kinds of struggles.
It’s great to give as a gift to a loved one or even your child who is introverted. I know I would have appreciated this when I was younger
It features stories about introverts in different situations and how they managed to overcome those kinds of struggles.
It’s great to give as a gift to a loved one or even your child who is introverted. I know I would have appreciated this when I was younger
September 12, 2021
The author gives good analysis in how our culture often holds certain personality traits higher than others. This was an excellent book to help me understand my adult children better. It rings true with the experiences in our family.
January 27, 2015
Reading this book I came to know my true character of being an introvert as a child. Being anxious, stimulating through solitude, being a day-dreamer, talking to self, being a highly self-monitoring person are all those traits of me which I discovered while reading it. Though in many circumstances I act as an extrovert too like I don't hesitate at all upon meeting new people. I don't face any difficulty in interacting with them. So this is what this book offers you i.e. to find your colours in both the introvert and extrovert spectrum at the same time.
The author has done a great job in illustrating the power of introverts by giving examples of various successful leaders and pioneers in politics, business, science and art who were too shy to come out of their office or face public by themselves. And yet they achieved the apex of their respective fields.
The "Free Trait Agreement" is a classical approach that the author has suggested in the book which can help an individual to get successful in dealing with different people and situations. The extrovert-introvert interaction and how to manage different kinds of people together has also been very well described in this book.
I will say that if one spends quality time with this book then there is no shortage of takeaways that this book can give !!!
The author has done a great job in illustrating the power of introverts by giving examples of various successful leaders and pioneers in politics, business, science and art who were too shy to come out of their office or face public by themselves. And yet they achieved the apex of their respective fields.
The "Free Trait Agreement" is a classical approach that the author has suggested in the book which can help an individual to get successful in dealing with different people and situations. The extrovert-introvert interaction and how to manage different kinds of people together has also been very well described in this book.
I will say that if one spends quality time with this book then there is no shortage of takeaways that this book can give !!!
April 9, 2014
This book explains being an introvert to an extroverted world. Medical research is used to support the author's point of view as well as psychological research. I liked that each chapter was focused on a particular aspect, i.e. politics, relationships, work. I highly recommend this book to help with parenting introverts, working with introverts, all teachers, for that matter having any type of relationship with introverts. If the reader is an introvert, it may help him/her to realize there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with them! As the old adage goes, "The world would be a very boring place if we were all the same."
February 9, 2014
Enjoyed reading about a minority group in our culture that is not often portrayed in a positive light. Susan Cain, the author is a "cheerleader" for introverts. For me, she raised more questions than answers. I didn't consider all of her anecdotes and evidence to be rigorously supported by research possibly because she seemed in several cases to be on the "leading edge" so more studies need to be done for those she reported in order for them to be convincing to me. But overall, I found the book very worthwhile reading. Strongly recommend.
July 10, 2015
As a thought to be extrovert but not ever really feeling like I was an extravert this book helped me understand the ambiavert I am and even a better understanding of the introverts in my life and how what I get my energy from is completely mentally and physically draining on them. I understand better how I can be more supportive and know when it's them needing to recharge and not something else going on in their life. I never understood how draining socializing can be to introverts. I also hope this helps introverts understand the ambiaverts/extraverts in their lives. Great read.
February 8, 2014
This book explains so much, and introverts will breathe sighs of relief that there is nothing wrong with us. It's simply the way we are wired. It gives good insight into how to balance work and leisure as well as gaining understanding of fellow introverts and extroverts alike. I highly recommend employers read this in order to increase productivity and hold onto good employees with a few simple changes.
April 19, 2015
Started out great with lots of unique insights; learned a new word 'ambivert' for people (like me) who defy being classified neatly as introvert or extrovert. The book seemed to devolve quickly into a 'revenge of the introverts' and sounded stereotypical - all the research was great, but the conclusions seemed black-and-white. Good discussion book and provided lots of new perspectives on leadership, teamwork and progression of research in this area. But, altogether 200 pages too long
July 30, 2014
Amazing book. Very interesting, made you think of things that are often overlooked. Loved the way that Cain was able to bring her own story into many parts of the book, made the content much more relate-able. I found this to be a slower read but only because there were so many intriguing points and cases made that you constantly wanted to put it down and ponder the ideas.
June 20, 2015
Oh how I'd had the information in this book years ago - It would so helped me understand myself and given me something to help those I love understand me too :) I am a true "Introvert" and I don't have to feel guilty about it anymore.
September 15, 2017
For introverts, this is highly relatable. It feels like it's written about me.
July 8, 2015
NIST Book Club selection. Glad I read it; was not a book I would've selected on my own.
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August 8, 2016Read by ACRL Member of the Week Joelle Pitts. Learn more about Joelle on the ACRL Insider Blog.
January 10, 2014
I loved this book. It has a fair amount of technical content, but I found it fascinating.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews