So it's been a while since I posted here, 8 months, but whose counting right? Introvert that I am, I was so excited to read this book and am glad I did. I actually read it last summer, which will be a good thing because I won't bore you with minutia, just the stuff that stuck with me.
First this book is not a casual read. It's dense, well researched and full of studies and statistics. They are all interesting studies and you learn a lot. One I found interesting is how our society has shifted to a cult of personality, something that heavily favors the extroverts. How many moons ago the personality traits we prized most highly were things like honesty, loyalty, working hard. That shifted around the time of Andrew Carnegie, with his "How To Win Friends and Influence People" mentality, to things such as likability, presentation, and charm. Several dealt with being able to scientifically measure the differences between an introvert and an extroverts brains. I thought it was pretty cool information. The second thing all this information did, was layout some solid information on why introverts and extroverts and can have such different physical, emotional, and behavioral responses to the same situations. Again, cool! There are reasons I march to the off beat of the weird drummer over in left field. There were some odd bits the seemed off. The section about the Asian students comes to mind. Overall, though I did enjoy the book, with one drawback.
I never did find the "Power" mentioned in the title. Unless it's know and owning your introvertedness. (Yes, my spellcheck is telling me that is not a word, but I don't care.) If it is, that didn't really help me. I know I'm an introvert. I was looking for a "how-to" of sorts. Coping strategies and concrete actions. I didn't find that in this book and I really wanted too. I found this book interesting and contemplate reading it again. I probably wont, but it will stay on the bookshelf.
Final thought, Years ago my mom gave me a book called "The Introvert Advantage" by Marti Olsen Laney. If your looking for book that helps you cope as an introvert, that is the book for you.
