An interesting book, which looks at the roots of introversion and extroversion, how different types of people can be best supported, and how the value of introversion, or ‘quiet’, can often be overlooked or downplayed.

It challenges the prevailing myth, in some countries at least, that extroversion is ‘good’, and that introversion is ‘bad’, advocating that both have strengths and weaknesses, and that, in many cases, introversion or ‘quiet’ can lead to better outcomes, whether that is in politics and decision making, parenting, or in the workplace.

One weakness of the book is that, because it is written from the perspective of the USA, not all sections of it will be directly applicable to the reader. Some elements which are generally accepted as universal truths in the USA (framing politics in a liberal / conservative split for example) are not seen that way in other parts of the world. But if you live in a country which tends to advocate an ‘extrovert ideal’, as the USA tends to, the essential premise of the book will ring true for you. And even if you don't, it is likely to still be interesting to you.

It is very likely there will be things in this book which are new to you, or which you will learn more about, for example I wasn’t aware of the research into high sensitivity and low sensitivity and the link to introversion and extroversion. It is presented in a very accessible way, with examples of how the extrovert ideal plays into self-help, religion, and business.

The book also outlines research showing how standard ways of doing things, like open-plan offices, don’t work in terms of increasing happiness, productivity, and accuracy, regardless of personality types, and raise interesting questions about a substantial chunk of a population pretending to be extrovert to ‘pass’ in countries which value this behaviour. Recommended.

Susan Cain (a self-acknowledged introvert) points out that most of the greatest humans in history were introverts. This is a must read - introverts and extroverts alike have so much to learn here. Theres lots of good stuff, from the history of how the world became extrovert-focussed and so dismissive of introverts, the myth of leaders needing to be extroverts, how to nurture introvert (and extrovert) children, how introversion and shyness are not the same thing, why introverts make better long term investors, and much more. We are told inspirational stories about, for example, Rosa Parks, Steve Wozniak, Eleanor Roosevelt and Gandhi. This book is mandatory reading for all parents and educators, but also for anybody that deals with people (i.e. pretty much everybody!). I got some fantastic insights into my psyche from the book explaining how us introverts relate to the world. It also provided me with some interesting insights about my personality that I hadn't thought of before & as you would expert - for an introverted thinker - that's quite something. The book also prescribes some "feel good" information to compensate for all the raving that extroverts get. It's indeed a life-changing book - now instead of wasting energy trying to deny my quiet nature or wish it away, I will accept it and be grateful for the strengths that it gives me. Thanks to the author who dared to be so vulnerable.

This gives an excellent insight into the personality type of a huge proportion of the population, their thought patterns, motivations, ways of responding and behaving that extroverts just do not understand. Everyone these days is supposed to be extrovert now and so many people are having to pretend to be extroverts in order to be accepted and progress at work. This was not the case until recent times and it is exhausting for those who are introverts to have to conform to this. Being quiet is normal for all these introverts but they are told that is not desirable. When assessments of children and adults take place being 'quiet' is considered a negative quality and the strong focus and thought processes of introverts are overlooked. Instead professionals and others tell introverts to speak up and basically turn themselves into an extrovert types, which is not possible. Consequently, their strengths and attributes, their input and ideas are often wasted. This is an excellent book for everyone to read - it explains to extroverts as well as introverts themselves, why they hate open plan offices and group meetings and need space as well as the company of others. All those working with children and young people in schools and colleges, and employing adults in workplaces should readthis. An extrovert parent with an introvert child should read this.

Quiet is an interesting book and has some interesting science about how people concentrate and work but I find it somewhat odd. The author is very attached to the idea of Rosa Parks as an introvert and brings this up multiple times in a way I don't find particularly palatable. She also uses an Einstein quote about working alone that really stuck out to me because if you read anything about Einstein and Milvera it's that all their friends spoke of them constantly working on their theories together. It feel like it was going to answer a question, but then it didn't come to a specific conclusion except "we need both types of people" and for some reason that felt like a let down.
I found all the "are you an introvert/extravert" questionnaires funny because I answered yes on both and never got a clear answer to what that meant. A lot of the statements made too sounded like they had links to ADHD and autism but it was never mentioned which I found odd.
Still it was interesting read & worth it if you're interesting in this kind of science.