Quiet
Passionately argued, impressively researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet shows how dramatically we undervalue introverts, and how much we lose in doing so. Taking the reader on a journey from Dale Carnegie's birthplace to Harvard Business School, from a Tony Robbins seminar to an evangelical megachurch, Susan Cain charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal in the twentieth century and explores its far-reaching effects. She talks to Asian-American students who feel alienated from the brash, backslapping atmosphere of American schools. She questions the dominant values of American business culture, where forced collaboration can stand in the way of innovation, and where the leadership potential of introverts is often overlooked. And she draws on cutting-edge research in psychology and neuroscience to reveal the surprising differences between extroverts and introverts. Perhaps most inspiring, she introduces us to successful introverts–from a witty, high-octane public speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks, to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions. Finally, she offers invaluable advice on everything from how to bette
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What you might want to know about Quiet
The questions readers send us most often, answered without spoilers.
Susan Cain argues that Western culture has built itself around an extrovert ideal that overlooks introverts, the people who think before they speak. She makes a research-backed case for the quiet half.
Quiet argues that introversion is undervalued in Western culture and that introverts often outperform extroverts in creativity, leadership, and deep work. Susan Cain draws on psychology research and case studies.
Yes, broadly. Quiet popularizes legitimate research on temperament, including the work of Jerome Kagan. Some specific framings have been refined by later research, but the core argument remains influential in psychology and management.
Quiet was written by Susan Cain, published in 2012 by Crown.
Quiet is 360 pages in standard print editions, though page counts vary slightly between hardcover, paperback, and large-print formats.
At an average reading pace of about 250 words per minute, Quiet takes most readers 5 to 8 hours to finish.
Quiet is a standalone novel by Susan Cain, not part of a series.
Quiet is available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats from Amazon, Bookshop.org, ThriftBooks, and most major bookstores.