Jill S. (brainybibliophile) - reviewed on 6/3/2019 + 19 more book reviews

Author Cain has said that contemporary introverts are in a position similar to that of women in the 1950's and 1960's. Sometimes it feels exactly that way, with people not understanding that for so many of us, social situations, while fun, can be exhausting. That I'm personally not afraid of speaking my mind or talking in front of people, but there is nothing better than a quiet afternoon with a book. So bring on the comparative language! Quiet is a like a breath of fresh air - like unexpectedly encountering an amiable, very agreeable old friend. To an introvert, in a job requiring pseudo-extroversion, surrounded by book discussion group members who summarily critique interesting introverted characters as just "shy" and "antisocial," Quiet is a comforting revelation.
Cain begins by describing the many variations of introversion and extroversion, pointing out that there is no one definition that scientists and psychologists agree on. She also offers a helpful self-quiz, inviting readers to determine just how introverted or extroverted (or ambiverted) they are.
Most of the remaining chapters are organized similarly: introducing a personality, developing one topic related to introversion (such as "reward sensitivity" and investing money), and including many statistics and data from studies as support. For instance, in chapter two, Cain writes of attending a conference presented by self-help guru Tony Robbins, then uses her experience there and at Saddleback Church to describe a societal shift from a "Culture of Character" to a "Culture of Personality." Throughout the book, the reader thus meets Harvard Business School Don, computer entrepreneur Steve Wozniak, First Lady and activist Eleanor Roosevelt, and married couple Greg and Emily. He/she ponders cooperative learning and open office plans, "rubber band theory" ("We are elastic and can stretch ourselves, but only so much"), optimal levels of arousal, the trade-off theory of evolution, Free Trait Theory, and introversion in the classroom. This balance of jargon with biography with statistics yields a pleasing blend of insight. True introverts will rejoice throughout, as Cain points out that their emotions are normal, their reactions are valid, and their potential is unlimited.
Cain urges readers, armed with all of this research, to now critique and ultimately reject the "Extrovert Ideal." She provides plenty of interesting and accessible evidence to do so.
(Cain is an honors graduate of Princeton and Harvard Law School. She is well-published in a variety of publications, including The New York Times, The Atlantic, and The Wall Street Journal. She has won many awards and speaks often as the head of the "Quiet Revolution.")

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