Recently I read the book Quiet by Susan Cain. It is subtitled “The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking”. I found this book fascinating and a book I wish had come out many years ago. Author Susan Cain presents a highly readable,interesting and well researched book that affirms up to 1/3 to 1/2 of the population that are by nature introverts. She writes of the difficulties many introverts feel in American culture where the outgoing, energetic, “salesman” personality is held up as the ideal. She goes on to describe the unique assets introverts have to offer in being more analytical, observant and the benefits in working alone rather than in a group.
From the back cover: “At least one third of the people we know are introverts. They’re the ones who prefer listening to speaking, reading to partying;who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over brainstorming in teams. Although they’re often labeled “quiet,” it’s to introverts like Gandhi, Einstein and Rosa Parks that we owe many of the great contributions to society. ”
The book also contains sections on shyness, the sensitive personality, and how introverts and extroverts can best understand and relate to each other (since they often find themselves married to each other!)
I think this book can accomplish much in helping the introvert celebrate their uniqueness and gain self-acceptance , rather than wonder what is wrong with them.