Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking is a book by Susan Cain published in 2012 where she expresses her point of view that introverts would efficiently occupy leading positions and are generally underestimated in society. Susan Cain is an American lecturer and writer. The book becomes an opportunity to explore the inner world and desires of introverts for directors, for whom it can open up opportunities for using introverts’ abilities to grow the company. In addition, the book is useful for introverts who are interested in taking leadership positions. The book impressed me with its cardinal point of view and raising a topic that is rarely discussed in society. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking is an unusual work that, while being subjective, still reveals a point of view on introverts’ leadership efficiency that is not popular in society.
The book is based on real-life experiences. The author bases her judgment on personal experience, giving examples from real life, for example, from the workplace, since she herself is an introvert (Walsh 40). Cain states the opinion that extroverts are usually rated as having a better appearance or being smarter and more interesting, while introverts are referred to as second class (Cian 16). The opposite popular opinion is also presented, in which extroverts are more valuable participants in communication due to more developed social skills (Skakoon 16). At the same time, the book contains Cain’s bias since she bases the arguments presented for the most part on personal life experiences. Such judgments are subjective and reflect the personal point of view of the author. A positive aspect that adds objectivity is bringing the opposite scientific and majority opinions of people. However, the author criticizes these opinions and is not an arbiter of the dispute but takes her own position, and the book is aimed at communicating her rightness.
The book is divided into four parts with their own purpose for each. The first part provides an introduction and definitions, while the second focuses on a discussion of temperament and its relationship to personality traits. The third part compares different cultures in terms of perception and stereotypical thinking about extroverts and introverts. The author emphasizes that American literature exclusively idealizes extroverts (Clack 155). The fourth chapter discusses how behavioral habits can change depending on the situation. In conclusion, the author urges us to be our true selves and create a comfortable environment for the life and development of everyone.
The book is written in a self-help genre and is designed to help people in similar situations. The book reaches its purpose well by communicating to the reader that even though it is not popular in American culture to discuss the issues of introverts and their perception, they still have opportunities to reach career and personal heights (Goaley 8). For me, the book revealed many previously unknown details about introverts as I had never previously thought about the inequality between extroverts and introverts in terms of acceptance by society. I would highly recommend Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking to anyone with a tendency to be an introvert as they can find support and understanding in it, as well as understand how to act to achieve their goals. The book is also useful for extroverts to form a balanced opinion about the usefulness of both personality types.
In conclusion, the analysis of the book shows that it contains complete information due to the consideration of the issue from the point of view of the author and other people, as well as different cultures. The book is filled with details and examples, which allow us to better understand the topic of introverts and their perception of them by society. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking is recommended for reading to both introverts and extroverts.
References
Cain, Susan. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking. Crown Publishing Group, 2012.
Clack, Lesley A. “Book Review: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.” Frontiers in Psychology 8, 2017, p. 155.
Goaley, Molly. “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking: A Book Analysis.” The Hilltop Review, vol. 11, no. 1, 2018, p. 8.
Skakoon, James G. “Introverts Rule.” Mechanical Engineering-CIME, vol. 137, no. 4, 2015, pp. 16-17.
Walsh, Bryan. “The Upside of Being an Introvert (And Why Extroverts Are Overrated).” Time Magazine, 2012, pp. 40-45.
