The Rise of the Introvert!! Praise for Susan Cain's: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking

Susan Cain’s Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking is a breath of fresh air.  For all people who have felt trapped in a world of noise, who have desired to sit at home at night reading rather than going out with friends, who prefer silence and solitude to meaningless chatter, and yet feel guilty and out of place for desiring these things, this book is a God-send.

Through comprehensive and intriguing study and research Cain reveals how an “Extrovert Ideal” dominates our American culture.   From the Harvard School of Business, to Congress, to even Evangelical Christianity, extrovert qualities are emphasized as being the best, if not the only mode of operation. Yet, this obsession with extroversion has not always produced the best results for society.  Cain unravels this dilemma and goes on to show how some of the most creative people, the most significant breakthroughs in history, and some of the most powerful leaders have been introverts.  And it is the qualities of these leaders, paired with the strengths of extroverts, that can help our society advance responsibly into the future.

I highly recommend this book for the following reasons:

·      Affirmation for Introverts, Understanding from Extroverts:  Those with introverted tendencies will read this and feel at peace.  Where they perhaps once felt insecure or inadequate because of their personalities, they will now find renewed confidence and an ability to utilize more effectively their personality, but also develop other more extroverted tendencies to thrive.  Extroverts will find in this book a better understanding of nearly half of the population; that is, if they are willing to stop and read this book the entire way through (hehe).

·      Insight into Religious Life and Family:  Both families and religious communities have to deal with the tension that arises from both introverts and extroverts attempting to exist together.  For true harmony and for the best outcomes, both of these groups would do well to better understand the different personality types, their roots, and the ways in which they both can work together.

·      Mission:  Contemplation vs. Action—There is often a tension in living the Christian life between how much time one should spend acting on their faith, and how much time one should spend reflecting, praying and learning about one’s faith.  Often in our American culture, we seem to highlight action over contemplation.  I believe that Cain’s work offers caution to that bias, and becomes an argument for providing more space for the introvert’s way of being.

Personally I cannot be thankful enough that I stumbled on this book.  On a Myers-Brigg’s Personality Inventory I always tended to be right in the middle between an introvert and an extrovert.  However, in these latter years of life, especially since beginning my life as a priest, I have found a greater tension existing inside of me where I seem to manifest a few more introvert qualities.  This book gave me the freedom to explore those longings, to learn more about where they arise, and to see how they too can contribute well to society, but ultimately to the Kingdom of God.