“Quiet – The Power of Introverts in a World that can’t stop talking” is a well-researched non-fiction book by author Susan Cain that talks about introversion and shyness. The book argues that the western culture gives undue importance to what the author calls “the extrovert ideal” and underestimates the introverts’ strength.
Drawing heavily upon research in the fields of psychology, biology and neuroscience, she elaborates on the advantages and disadvantages of both the temperaments and stresses that all of us lie somewhere on the continuum and not in any of the extremes. Our temperament need not become our destiny says the author. She claims that introverts can be achievers (supported by the examples of introvert achievers in history like the Apple cofounder Steve Wozniak and Albert Einstein) .
I am a horse for a single harness, not cut out for tandem or team-work…for well I know that in order to attain any definite goal, it is imperative that one person do the thinking and the commanding.
– Albert Einstein
Do all cultures have an extrovert ideal? Here she gives some credit to the Asian cultures where introversion is accepted and appreciated.
Finally, she gives some practical advice to introverts to cope up with the extroverts around them and the world which praises the extroverts.
The author has also given a TED talk on the same.
+ + +
- Very well-researched work.
- Good argumentation.
- Deep insights.
- The coping techniques. Instead of just explaining a problem, she has given some solutions.
- I especially liked the part about “raising quiet kids”.
– – –
- Though most of the book has the right balance of research findings and layman talk, at times the research findings are in such detail that it feels like reading an academic work.
. . .
- Read the notes at the end and try to follow some of the references. This is fascinating if you are interested.
For all, introverts and extroverts!
Book Details:
| Title | Quiet - The Power of Introverts in a World that can't stop talking Amazon Paperback Amazon Kindle Edition Flipkart Paperback Flipkart eBook |
| Editor(s)/Author(s)/Illustrator(s)/Translator(s) | Susan Cain |
| Publisher | Crown Publishing Group |
Are these reviews from recent readings of the books? If yes, then I am amazed at the number (and variety) of books that have been covered.
One small request – a summary from the “raising quiet kids” part would be appreciated 🙂
– Ananth
Most are recent readings Ananth. But some are from the past. I shall certainly do a summary as a separate post.
Nice book selection menaka. I just wonder why being an introvert is such a big issue. It just a persons natural behavior , with which he/she is comfortable. It can no way influence a persons success in life. There are advantages and disadvantages in both the cases.
Following your blog is interesting. You can still make it more interesting, by adding specific abstracts from the book, more pictures, giving bit more insight to points, adding your own findings to the subject along with details about the book like no of pages/ hard cover or paperback/publisher/year/ and where to buy. ( link to flipkart or amazon).
Sure Ravi. I am looking at ways of giving more useful information. As to link to buy, it is already there. Please CLICK on the image for you to be able to buy the book on amazon.in