By Susan Cain
“Our lives are shaped as profoundly by personality as by gender or race. And the single most important aspect of personality – ‘the north and south of temperament’, as one scientist puts it -is where we fall on the introvert/extrovert spectrum.”
This is the book that started a Quiet Revolution. And it was a revolution that needed to happen.
Susan Cain is a passionate and persuasive writer, and her case for the power of introverts is skilfully made with many real life stories. Without introverts we wouldn’t have the Apple computer, Van Gogh’s sunflowers or the theory of relativity.
As an introvert myself, with an introvert daughter, I found this book to be informative and empowering. Extroverts take up an inordinate amount of speaking space in employment, schools and in social life. Introverts have as much to offer, but being quieter it is not always noticed, or they themselves do not promote it.
Introverts often think deeply, but have trouble putting their thoughts into words fluidly and confidently. So inevitably, extroverts are more likely by their confidence to get more attention. This is specially troubling in schools. Cain presents research showing that for many teachers the “ideal student” is an extrovert. This is extraordinary when you think of classic introverts like Einstein, Steve Jobs and George Orwell who ironically enough did not do well at school.
There are many chapters on this and other research that has been done on introversion, and on the excessive rise of the extrovert ideal in modern society.
This book is a must read for introverts and extroverts alike. 5 ⭐️
If interested in this topic, I highly recommend the website: quietrev.com founded by Cain to address issues that prevent introverts from achieving their best both in work and in life. As Cain so poignantly puts it:
“If I had one wish, it would be to reverse the stigma against introversion for children so that the next generation doesn’t grow up with the secret self-loathing that plagues so many introverted grown-ups today. “
If you have read this book, I would love to read your thoughts on it.
Cynthia's Biblio-Files 
This reminds of the phrase “Talk is cheap because supply exceeds demand”. What you say could be more important than how much you say.
Very interesting article.
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So true! My mum used to talk about “empty vessels making the most noise” about loud people. 🙂 Thanks for your comment.
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Great post! I am a 100% introvert myself, and when I read that book – for the first time in my life I felt truly comfortable being who I am! It is such an amazing book!
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I’m an introvert also, and I think that book has started a revolution. Cain’s ‘Quiet Revolution’ website is a great resource too. Thanks for your comment.
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