Quiet: The Power Of Introverts In A World That Can't Stop Talking (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
After reading through some of the comments I have to chuckle because they are sooo long. This is typical of introverts who it seems are more comfortable writing than talking. I count myself among them. The most useful book I have encountered about introvert/extrovert is "Gifts Differing" by Isabel Briggs Myers. Taking the Myers-Briggs and reading "Gifts Differing" was eye-opening for me. That was many years ago. "Quiet" by Susan Cain is only the second book I've ever read that talks about the vast difference between extroverts and introverts. One of the things I have noticed in life is that I can say something and nobody pays much attention. Then an extrovert says the exact same thing and everyone perks up and listens to this great new idea. It makes me feel sad that I don't get the recognition that I think I deserve, but whathehell, it just seems to be the way of the world. So I have resigned myself to it. Susan Cains's book is worth reading even though at times it seems like she is trying to prove that introverts are better than extroverts which is an impression I don't think she means to convey. In my case I never felt pressured to be more outgoing (thank you mom and dad), but I always wondered why other people seemed to be so different from me. "Gifts Differing" went a long way towards explaining that for me. I appreciate the compilation of recent research information in "Quiet." I especially liked Cain's information regarding the recent financial crisis. She quotes Boykin Curry, a managing director of the investment firm Eagle Capital saying that "it was forceful extroverts who caused the global financial crash. People with certain personality types got control of capital and institutions and power. And people who are congenitally more cautious and introverted and statistical in their thinking became discredited and pushed aside."Cain's book is worth reading by both introverts and extroverts. I thought I would just devour this book as I believe I am an introvert and wanted to read about others and how we fit in with the extroverts of the world. I did get immersed in the first third, but then I realized that she was writing more of a rah-rah book, and with so many examples coming one after the other, I just got slower and slower and finally just skimmed the last bit. The message here, I think, is 'Introversion is fine and has many advantages. You can learn tricks to help you in scenarios where you need to be extroverted. The main thing is to remember to take time to de-buzz yourself.' Maybe a little simplistic but definitely good advice for those who have yet to figure out what works for them.
What do You think about Quiet: The Power Of Introverts In A World That Can't Stop Talking (2012)?
Moderately written but well-researched book that is of interest to introverts and extroverts alike.
—Stephhers04
Interesting and kind of validating, but not mind-blowing.
—Nicole
Free Trait Theory is pretty good to know about.
—09nyan
