While I found the book insightful and interesting, I would like to disclaim, that I generally do not like to divide people by labels such as introvert and extrovert; and Susan Cain herself states that it should be viewed as a spectrum. Yet for the sake of her argument, and for my post, these terms will provide a basis.
Like many non-fiction books of it's kind, Quiet relies heavily on well-presented anecdotes, rather than straightforward facts. While this can often be a difficult balance, I believe Cain pulls it off well. It has enough scientific research to legitimize the project, while remaining accessible to the average reader.
For readers who are self-proclaimed introverts, the book will reaffirm beliefs and reassure them of the normalcy of their social habits. I would be surprised if many extroverts picked a book subtitled "The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking", yet it is here that the true power of the book lies. It may provide useful insight for introverts, and perhaps a little ego-boost, but in order to be truly useful, it would have to reach the other side. For extroverts to understand more of what goes through an introvert's mind in social situations, would be useful in many settings. Parents with introverted children, co-workers, who may not value the quiet power sitting at the next desk, and friends, who take offense at an introvert's different social preferences.
The book mostly focuses on an American setting, yet there is an interesting chapter on cultural differences, and the estimation of introversion in some Asian countries, which shows that extroversion is not an international norm. Cain may be somewhat out of her depth at this point in the discussion, but it serves the purpose of upsetting the status-quo in our minds.
Overall, it was an enjoyable, easy read and I recommend it, above all, to the extroverts out there.
For readers who are self-proclaimed introverts, the book will reaffirm beliefs and reassure them of the normalcy of their social habits. I would be surprised if many extroverts picked a book subtitled "The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking", yet it is here that the true power of the book lies. It may provide useful insight for introverts, and perhaps a little ego-boost, but in order to be truly useful, it would have to reach the other side. For extroverts to understand more of what goes through an introvert's mind in social situations, would be useful in many settings. Parents with introverted children, co-workers, who may not value the quiet power sitting at the next desk, and friends, who take offense at an introvert's different social preferences.
The book mostly focuses on an American setting, yet there is an interesting chapter on cultural differences, and the estimation of introversion in some Asian countries, which shows that extroversion is not an international norm. Cain may be somewhat out of her depth at this point in the discussion, but it serves the purpose of upsetting the status-quo in our minds.
Overall, it was an enjoyable, easy read and I recommend it, above all, to the extroverts out there.
See Susan Cain's TED talk on the same subject here!
Visit Susan Cain's webpage here.
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