Product Description

One out of every four people feels overwhelmed at the thought of a business meeting, dreads walking into a party, hates having to make small talk with strangers, feels alone in a crowd - and always prefers to sit on the sidelines and observe. They're introverts, and now comes the book to buttress their resolve and help them find understanding and success living in an extrovert world. After dispelling common myths about introverts - they're not antisocial, they're not necessarily shy or aloof - BEING AN INTROVERT IN AN EXTROVERT WORLD explains the real issues. Introverts are hardwired from birth to focus inward, so outside stimulation can easily become "too much" - chitchat, phone calls, parties, office meetings can all be overwhelming, sending introverts fleeing for a quiet corner.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9354 in Books
• Published on: 2002-05-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 330 pages

Customer Reviews

All Introverts should read this book
I was almost put off from buying this book by the one solitary star and review on this page. My other introverted friends reccomended me the book however and, feeling in need of a self esteem booster about my introverted nature, I decided to buy the book. One of the best non-fiction books I'll ever own. I believe that every introvert should give this a read and treat it like a Bible, especially those who are unsure about their own introversion, that do not understand it fully, or feel it is like some sort of mental illness. This book will help you understand yourself and make you feel good about yourself. It does have a lot of helpful tips to those new to the subject; but those confident in their introversion may want to read more advanced books. Just like the back cover says, it really is filled with a lot of "A-ha!" moments. I would reccomend it to any introvert!

Great Insights into the World of Introverts
Marti Olsen Laney's "The Introvert Advantage" is one of the most profound works that I have ever read and I just could not put it down. It has provided great insights into the world of introverts and how one (myself included) can swim through the rough river of life with a strong sense of self-confidence. Before reading this book, all I knew that I am an introvert and that I get my energy by being alone. After reading this book, it has added greatly to my self-confidence and increases my self-understanding as an introvert in the world of extroversion.

I especially enjoyed reading the part about the difference between the introvert's brain pathway (parasympathetic system as activated by acetylcholine) and the extrovert's brain pathway (sympathetic system as activated by dopamine), and the nicotine connection.

Laney has provided a great deal of research and effort into this work, and done so with a clear clarity. This book has 10 chapters, with roughly 320 pages, and written in a clear manner. For both the extrovert, to understand their opposite, and the introvert, to understand oneself better, I would strongly recommend this book.

Enlightening, eye-opening, validating!
I got so much out of reading this book. I picked it up on a whim, wondering what the advantage of an introvert might be, suspecting that I was one. Goodness me, I had no idea I was so introverted, or how much of my life it really impacted. Now, all these little nonsensical things about myself throughout my life suddenly have an explanation, and more importantly I feel validated for being me! I got 26 out of 30 on the book's questionaire, so I can proudly call myself an introvert. Marti helped me understand also that, being left-brained, I'm quite happy living an introverted life, whereas my sister, a right-brained introvert, struggles with the limitations. It was also surprising to find that my husband is fairly extroverted and the relationships section has been really helpful for me to understand where he's coming from and how we can get along better.

If you even slightly suspect that you are an introvert I highly recommend reading this book. You will feel much better about yourself, even if you didn't feel badly to begin with!