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Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance Paperback – August 21, 2018

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 19,713 ratings

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In this instant New York Times bestseller, Angela Duckworth shows anyone striving to succeed that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent, but a special blend of passion and persistence she calls “grit.” “Inspiration for non-geniuses everywhere” (People).

The daughter of a scientist who frequently noted her lack of “genius,” Angela Duckworth is now a celebrated researcher and professor. It was her early eye-opening stints in teaching, business consulting, and neuroscience that led to her hypothesis about what really drives success: not genius, but a unique combination of passion and long-term perseverance.

In
Grit, she takes us into the field to visit cadets struggling through their first days at West Point, teachers working in some of the toughest schools, and young finalists in the National Spelling Bee. She also mines fascinating insights from history and shows what can be gleaned from modern experiments in peak performance. Finally, she shares what she’s learned from interviewing dozens of high achievers—from JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon to New Yorker cartoon editor Bob Mankoff to Seattle Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll.

“Duckworth’s ideas about the cultivation of tenacity have clearly changed some lives for the better” (
The New York Times Book Review). Among Grit’s most valuable insights: any effort you make ultimately counts twice toward your goal; grit can be learned, regardless of IQ or circumstances; when it comes to child-rearing, neither a warm embrace nor high standards will work by themselves; how to trigger lifelong interest; the magic of the Hard Thing Rule; and so much more. Winningly personal, insightful, and even life-changing, Grit is a book about what goes through your head when you fall down, and how that—not talent or luck—makes all the difference. This is “a fascinating tour of the psychological research on success” (The Wall Street Journal).
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Editorial Reviews

Review

One of "The Hottest Spring Nonfiction Books"
—The Wall Street Journal

Grit delves into the personal ingredients of great success. It’s worth reading…the gist is that talent and skill are less valuable than effort.”
—Andrew Ross Sorkin, TheNew York Times

"It really isn't talent but practice—along with passion—that makes perfect, explains psychologist Duckworth in this illuminating book. Inspiration for non-geniuses everywhere."
—People

Grit is a pop-psych smash.”
—The New Yorker

“With
Grit, Duckworth has now put out the definitive handbook for her theory of success. It parades from one essential topic to another on a float of common sense, tossing out scientific insights.”
—Slate

"If you have recently bumped into that word,
grit, Duckworth is the reason...In education and parenting circles, her research has provided a much needed antipode to hovering, by which children are systematically deprived of the opportunity to experience setbacks, much less overcome them...What sticks with you [in Grit] are the testimonials, collected from sources as disparate as Will Smith, William James, and Jeff Bezos's mom, that relentlessly deflate the myth of the natural."
—The Atlantic

"A fascinating tour of the psychological research on success...A great service of Ms. Duckworth's book is her down-to-earth definition of passion. To be gritty, an individual doesn't need to have an obsessive infatuation with a goal. Rather, he needs to show 'consistency over time.' The grittiest people have developed long-term goals and are constantly working toward them."
—The Wall Street Journal

“Duckworth is the researcher most associated with the study and popularization of grit. And yet what I like about her new book,
Grit, is the way she is pulling away from the narrow, joyless intonations of that word, and pointing us beyond the way many schools are now teaching it…Most important, she notes that the quality of our longing matters. Gritty people are resilient and hard working, sure. But they also, she writes, know in a very, very deep way what it is they want.”
—David Brooks, New York Times

"
Grit is packed with great lessons. The tools and gems I took from this book aided me in being able to handle the adversity of my career coming to an unexpected end and finding my passion in writing."

—Chris Bosh, five-time NBA All Star

“[Have] no doubt:
Grit is great. It's a lucid, informative, and entertaining review of the research Angela has assiduously conducted over the past decade or so. The book also includes suggestions on how to develop grit, and how we can help support grit in others. There are few people who wouldn't learn something from this book.”
Scientific American (blog)

"An informative and inspiring contribution to the literature of success."
—Publishers Weekly

"
Grit is a useful guide for parents or teachers looking for confirmation that passion and persistence matter, and for inspiring models of how to cultivate these important qualities."
—The Washington Post

"[Blends] anecdote and science, statistic and yarn...Not your grandpa's self-help book, but Duckworth's text is oddly encouraging, exhorting us to do better by trying harder, and a pleasure to read."
—Kirkus Reviews

"Engaging...With strong appeal for readers of Daniel H. Pink, Malcolm Gladwell, and Susan Cain, this is a must-have."
—Booklist

“Imagine that: a Philadelphia psychology professor setting the education world on fire with a one-syllable noun that just happens to define the city she currently calls home….Her book gives cause for hope and an immediate path to action.”
Philly.com

“Psychologists have spent decades searching for the secret of success, but Angela Duckworth is the one who found it. In this smart and lively book, she not only tells us what it is, but also how to get it.”
Daniel Gilbert, author of Stumbling on Happiness

“A robust and engaging read, as Duckworth intersperses her own research with stories from her Chinese-American background, as well as interviews with high achievers in sport, business and the military…[The book includes a] riveting section on raising gritty children. When Duckworth suggests trashing the common parenting line ‘That’s OK, you tried your best’ and replacing it with the demanding yet supportive ‘That didn’t work. Let’s talk about how you approached it and what might work better,’ she made me want to cheer.”
—The Toronto Star

“A contemporary classic—a clarifying and deeply-researched book in the tradition of Stephen Covey and Carol Dweck. For anyone hoping to work smarter or live better,
Grit is an essential—and perhaps life-changing—read.”
—Daniel H. Pink, New York Times-bestselling author of When, Drive, and To Sell Is Human

Grit is a persuasive and fascinating response to the cult of IQ fundamentalism. Duckworth reminds us that it is character and perseverance that set the successful apart.”
Malcolm Gladwell, author of The Tipping Point, Blink, and Outliers

"Angela Duckworth [is] the psychologist who has made 'grit' the reigning buzzword in education-policy circles...Duckworth's ideas about the cultivation of tenacity have clearly changed some lives for the better...In this book, Duckworth, whose TED talk has been viewed more than eight million times, brings her lessons to the reading public."
—Judith Shulevitz, The New York Times Book Review

“Impressively fresh and original…
Grit scrubs away preconceptions about how far our potential can take us.”
Susan Cain, author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking

“Fascinating. Angela Duckworth pulls together decades of psychological research, inspiring success stories from business and sports, and her own unique personal experience and distills it all into a set of practical strategies to make yourself and your children more motivated, more passionate, and more persistent at work and at school.”
Paul Tough, author of How Children Succeed

“This book will change your life. Fascinating, rigorous, and practical,
Grit is destined to be a classic in the literature of success.”
Dan Heath, co-author of Made to Stick, Switch, and Decisive

“Utterly captivating, inspiring and original…Once you pick up
Grit, you won't be able to tear yourself away.”
Amy Cuddy, Harvard Business School professor and author of Presence

“Enlightening…
Grit teaches that life’s high peaks aren’t necessarily conquered by the naturally nimble but, rather, by those willing to endure, wait out the storm, and try again.”
Ed Viesturs, Seven-Time Climber of Mount Everest and author of No Shortcuts to the Top

“I kept wanting to read this book aloud—to my child, my husband, to everyone I care about. There are no shortcuts to greatness, it's true. But there is a roadmap, and you are holding it.”
Amanda Ripley, author of The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way

“Readable, compelling and totally persuasive. The ideas in this book have the potential to transform education, management and the way its readers live. Angela Duckworth’s
Grit is a national treasure.”
Lawrence H. Summers, Former Secretary of the Treasury and President Emeritus at Harvard University

“Masterful…
Grit offers a truly sane perspective: that true success comes when we devote ourselves to endeavors that give us joy and purpose.”
Arianna Huffington, author of Thrive

“I’m convinced there are no more important qualities in striving for excellence than those that create true grit...I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.”
Brad Stevens, Coach of the Boston Celtics

“Empowering…Angela Duckworth compels attention with her idea that regular individuals who exercise self-control and perseverance can reach as high as those who are naturally talented—that your mindset is as important as your mind.”
Soledad O’Brien, Chairman of Starfish MediaGroup and former co-anchor of CNN’s “American Morning”

“Invaluable…In a world where access to knowledge is unprecedented, this book describes the key trait of those who will optimally take advantage of it.
Grit will inspire everyone who reads it to stick to something hard that they have a passion for.”
Sal Khan, founder of Khan Academy

“A combination of rich science, compelling stories, crisp graceful prose, and appealingly personal examples…Without a doubt, this is the most transformative, eye-opening book I’ve read this year.”
Sonja Lyubomirsky, Professor, University of California, Riverside and author of The How of Happiness

“Incredibly important…There is deeply embodied grit, which is born of love, purpose, truth to one's core under ferocious heat, and a relentless passion for what can only be revealed on the razor’s edge; and there is the cool, patient, disciplined cultivation and study of resilience that can teach us all how to get there. Angela Duckworth's masterpiece straddles both worlds, offering a level of nuance that I haven’t read before.”
Josh Waitzkin, International Chess Master, Tai Chi Push Hands World Champion, and author of The Art of Learning

“A thoughtful and engaging exploration of what predicts success.
Grit takes on widespread misconceptions and predictors of what makes us strive harder and push further…Duckworth’s own story, wound throughout her research, ends up demonstrating her theory best; passion and perseverance make up grit.”
Tory Burch, Chairman, CEO and Designer of Tory Burch

“I love an idea that challenges our conventional wisdom and 'grit' does just that! Put aside what you think you know about getting ahead and outlasting your competition, even if they are more talented. Getting smarter won't help you—sticking with it, will!”
Simon Sinek, author of Start With Why and Leaders Eat Last

“Profoundly important. For eons, we've been trapped inside the myth of innate talent. Angela Duckworth shines a bright light into a truer understanding of how we achieve. We owe her a great debt.”
—David Shenk, author of The Genius in All of Us: New Insights into Genetics, Talent, and IQ

“An important book...In these pages, the leading scholarly expert on the power of grit (what my mom called 'stick-to-it-iveness') carries her message to a wider audience, using apt anecdotes and aphorisms to illustrate how we can usefully apply her insights to our own lives and those of our kids.

—Robert D. Putnam, Professor of Public Policy at Harvard and author of Bowling Alone and Our Kids

“This book gets into your head, which is where it belongs…For educators who want our kids to succeed, this is an indispensable read.”
Joel Klein, former Chancellor, New York City public schools

Grit delivers! Angela Duckworth shares the stories, the science, and the positivity behind sustained success…A must-read.”
Barbara Fredrickson, author of Positivity and Love 2.0 and President of the International Positive Psychology Association

About the Author

Angela Duckworth, PhD, is a 2013 MacArthur Fellow and professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. She has advised the World Bank, NBA and NFL teams, and Fortune 500 CEOs. She is also the founder and CEO of Character Lab, a nonprofit whose mission is to advance scientific insights that help kids thrive. She completed her BA in neurobiology at Harvard, her MSc in neuroscience at Oxford, and her PhD in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance is her first book and an instant New York Times bestseller.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Scribner; Reprint edition (August 21, 2018)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1501111116
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1501111112
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 years and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.92 x 8.38 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 19,713 ratings

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Angela Duckworth
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Dr Angela Duckworth is a 2013 MacArthur Fellow and an associate professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. She is an expert in non-IQ competencies, including grit and self-control. A highly sought-after international speaker, her TED talk on grit has been viewed by over 10 million people.

Duckworth’s hypothesis that the real guarantor of success may not be inborn talent but a special blend of resilience and single-mindedness grew out of her upbringing: as a child her scientist father lovingly bemoaned the fact his daughter was ‘no genius’. Duckworth was determined to prove him wrong and spent her youth smashing through every academic barrier. As an adult she became focused on proving her theory and to find out if grit can be learned or cultivated. It was out of this that she created her own Character Lab at the University of Pennsylvania.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
19,713 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and informative. They appreciate the author's insights and wisdom on grit. The writing quality is described as well-written and conversational. Readers explore the concept of grit through stories and examples. The book explains how passion and perseverance are key differentiators for high achievers. It also encourages readers to keep going, even when faced with challenges.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

679 customers mention "Readability"668 positive11 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable to read and informative. They say it's well worth their time, delightful, and an invaluable read for their grandchildren. The author is articulate and gets them interested from page one to the very last page.

"...-the confluence of painful effort, feedback, and immense pleasure through deliberate practice (search youtube for rehearsals pre-TED talk)...." Read more

"...I had already read elsewhere -- but I still found both to be worthwhile reads. Part 2 looks at how we can grow grit “from within.”..." Read more

"...Amanda Duckworth has written an excellent book. “GRIT” shows us the power of grit, its importance to reaching our potential, and how to grow it...." Read more

"...presenting research findings while making them interesting and relevant to readers through many personal stories, examples, and literally dozens of..." Read more

659 customers mention "Insight"636 positive23 negative

Customers find the book provides useful insights and motivation. They appreciate the author's passion for research and examples of deliberate practice and grit. The book is informative and relatable, presenting difficult psychological concepts in an accessible way. Readers mention it's inspiring to read about athletes' mindsets and how grit is the combination of passion and perseverance that make high achievers.

"...compelling evidence that grit, rather than talent, is a key predictor of success; filled with fascinating stories of high achievers from various..." Read more

"...Dr. Duckworth’s fresh writing is able to distill very difficult psychological concepts and present them in a way that anybody can explain them on..." Read more

"...The most interesting chapter to me was on parenting. The best parenting style according to most researchers and the successful people Duckworth has..." Read more

"...First, they were unusually resilient and hard-working. Second, they knew in a very, very deep way what it was they wanted...." Read more

206 customers mention "Writing quality"186 positive20 negative

Customers appreciate the book's writing quality. They find it well-written, readable, and organized. The author presents the work in an analytical but non-technical way. Readers praise the author as a fantastic narrator and say the book is interesting and helpful.

"...Thank you Dr. Duckworth for being a terrific writer, teacher, and example of this profound concept and having an impact far in excess of what I..." Read more

"...Nonetheless, it covers a fair range of ground in a readable and well-organized package, so is worth the price for a one-stop review or a first-read..." Read more

"...to laypeople, Angela Duckworth succeeds brilliantly with this well-written and engaging book...." Read more

"...In essence: It’s the combination of intense passion + intense perseverance toward a long-term goal that matters to you...." Read more

115 customers mention "Concept"107 positive8 negative

Customers find the book helpful for exploring grit and how to develop it. They appreciate the author's review of evidence and anecdotes from her research. The book provides insights into grit, including how to identify it and improve it. Readers also appreciate the distinction between internal and external grit. Overall, they find the book informative and recommend it.

"Pros: Provides compelling evidence that grit, rather than talent, is a key predictor of success; filled with fascinating stories of high..." Read more

"...This book explores the importance of grit, how to identify it, how gritty are you, how to grow it, how to create a culture of grit, and how to..." Read more

"...Plus, she shares a bunch of inspiring stories about grit paragons while walking us through the key aspects of grit and teaching us how we can..." Read more

"...these stories of gritty people doing gritty things, you’ll learn how grit is formed, how it grows, and how you can develop more grit in your own..." Read more

103 customers mention "Talent"100 positive3 negative

Customers find the book insightful and informative. It provides clear examples of passion and perseverance as key differentiators for high-achievers. The author offers practical advice on developing discipline and character. The messages are delivered with compelling anecdotes that are seasoned with science and data. Overall, readers feel empowered by the book's message.

"...than talent, is a key predictor of success; filled with fascinating stories of high achievers from various fields, making it both informative and..." Read more

"...Duckworth also acknowledges the role of talent, which she includes in her formula for achievement (yes, there is such a thing in the book!) —..." Read more

"...Natural talent as the explanation of success, according to sociologist, Professor Dan Chambliss, “is perhaps the most pervasive lay explanation we..." Read more

"...the persistence to engage in deep practice, one can develop extraordinary levels of talent...." Read more

62 customers mention "Resilience"55 positive7 negative

Customers appreciate the book's message about resilience. They find it an inspiring account of physical and mental achievement that emphasizes the importance of persistence, perseverance, and passion. The book starts well and finishes strong, with a solid account of what makes those who succeed. The prose is consistent and highly readable, challenging readers to push themselves out of their comfort zone.

"...list of the concepts and legends that you will meet: flow, hope, resiliency, fixed vs. growth mindset, learned optimism, Sisu, talent (overrated),..." Read more

"...has two parts: passion (sticking to what is important to you) plus perseverance (the ability to get back up once you have fallen)...." Read more

"...First, they were unusually resilient and hard-working. Second, they knew in a very, very deep way what it was they wanted...." Read more

"...First, these exemplars were unusually resilient and hardworking. Second, they knew in a very, very deep way what it was they wanted...." Read more

87 customers mention "Story quality"60 positive27 negative

Customers have mixed reviews about the story quality. Some find it engaging with interesting stories and case studies, weaving through a wonderful narrative. They appreciate the actionable insights and examples, including the experiences of West Point cadets. However, others feel the anecdotes are too short and not well-developed, and the themes and messages seem repetitive.

"...The most interesting chapter to me was on parenting...." Read more

"...while making them interesting and relevant to readers through many personal stories, examples, and literally dozens of interviews to psychologists,..." Read more

"...Cons: • Repetitive Themes: you might find the themes and messages a bit repetitive throughout the book" Read more

"...She shares many examples and case studies, including the experiences of West Point cadets, and NFL players for the Seattle Seahawks under the..." Read more

83 customers mention "Pacing"55 positive28 negative

Customers have varying views on the book's pacing. Some find it engaging and interesting, while others think it's boring and dry. The examples are skimmed over, limiting the impact of the book.

"...high achievers from various fields, making it both informative and entertaining Cons: •..." Read more

"...The book is amazingly boring. Duckworth also has a couple of glaring problems in logic...." Read more

"...shines in accurately presenting research findings while making them interesting and relevant to readers through many personal stories, examples, and..." Read more

"...It’s research, engaging, and personal. She weaves her own story of being told she wasn’t the smartest and raising children into the book...." Read more

Amazing body of work on a topic we *think* we already know...
5 out of 5 stars
Amazing body of work on a topic we *think* we already know...
I simply could not put a down. It's like sitting at a TEDTalk turned into a proper academic course. I have worked in schools and am a Veteran and yes, we HAVE for many years, tried to put into educated, proven words that which makes some ppl succeed in the long term while others of similar talent quit and fail. Well, while we didnt have the time to conduct that exhaustive research, this author has dedicated years to the question and has generously provided the completed thesis. Simply amazing.Since we have already asked several of the questions is this book at may levels, it does feel as if we know the answers to some of these topics already; talent, skill, and achievement are not new topics to us, but what is new is what long term research says about these topics and how they work and fit together, over time in real life. Again, simply amazing. The presented results are more than worth the read.Also, I cant overstate how well the author presents this work with a very healthy, feet-on-the-ground realization that not all the questions are answered -yet.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2025
    Pros:
    Provides compelling evidence that grit, rather than talent, is a key predictor of success; filled with fascinating stories of high achievers from various fields, making it both informative and entertaining
    Cons:
    • Repetitive Themes: you might find the themes and messages a bit repetitive throughout the book
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2016
    To: All parents, teachers, coaches, athletes, students, and caregivers:

    Re: the book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Dr. Angela Duckworth

    Buy it. Read it slowly and deliberately. If you listen to it on Audible, set the speed at 50%.

    After many years of writing book reviews primarily for friends and executives at YPO, I have have finally found a recommendation to give to this esteemed group. It is fitting Dr. Duckworth’s inaugural book debuted the week of the Kentucky Derby as I am fortunate enough to live around and know several jockeys whom I would ascribe the greatest exemplars of grit the world has ever known-what professor Duckworth refers to as grit paragons.

    What Lean In did to encourage less timidity for women in the workplace, Grit will inculcate and elevate passion and perseverance for long term goals should you choose to accept the practical applications of years of related and transportable research.

    By this time, you have undoubtedly heard of “grit” the construct coined, developed, and researched by Dr. Duckworth with contributions from notable colleagues along the way including the late Dr. Chris Peterson of “other people matter” fame. After validating the grit scale, she has gone on and tested tons of interesting groups from West Pointers and national spelling bee participants to teachers and athletes. The concept appears to be fairly intuitive until you get the very deep dive into the details of what passion and perseverance over the long term really mean. Is grit nature or nurture? Can you develop it? Can you have too much of it? Dr. Duckworth’s fresh writing is able to distill very difficult psychological concepts and present them in a way that anybody can explain them on the back of a napkin which is a tribute to her as both a teacher and writer.

    The short TED video by the author from 2013 provides a great introduction and motivation to read the book. The polished TED presentation though is a result from one of the many transformative topics in her book-the confluence of painful effort, feedback, and immense pleasure through deliberate practice (search youtube for rehearsals pre-TED talk).

    The beauty of this book is that it is really a “book of books”. It interweaves numerous related research activities and concepts, contributions of luminaries in psychology, and solid parenting guidelines (in particular the “hard thing rule”). Here is a short list of the concepts and legends that you will meet: flow, hope, resiliency, fixed vs. growth mindset, learned optimism, Sisu, talent (overrated), cognitive bias’ including “naturalness", goal setting, positive self-talk, passion, purpose, job, career, calling, William James, Nietzsche, Aristotle, Adam Grant, Martin Seligman,Anders Ericsson, Mihaly Csiksgentmihalyi, David Yeager, Amy Wrzesniewski, Justin Berg,Jane Dutton, Aaron Beck, Emilia Lahti, Carolyn Dweck, and even Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. . As a former student of hers in the MAPP Program at University of Pennsylvania, I felt like I had I had just done a refresher course. (side note: physical therapy mentioned two different times in the book, would automatically would get a 5 star rating from me!).

    My biggest personal takeaway is the influence of culture in the environment and workplace and how this alone can foster and make one “gritty”. To that end, I am proud of our healthcare company’s strategic intent: "Our Success is through meaningful work that impacts lives” and perhaps even more so one of our ten commitments that we formed in October of 2014:

    I commit to Sisu – I will face challenges head-on. “In my life and work, I refuse to be derailed by people or circumstances and will face them with valor. I acknowledge ‘stuff’ can and will happen but choose to ‘power on’ even when it appears that I have reached the limits of my mental and physical capabilities.”

    Thank you Dr. Duckworth for being a terrific writer, teacher, and example of this profound concept and having an impact far in excess of what I believe you ever imagined. Undoubtedly, those who read it will be driven to further a life of passion, meaning, and prosocial concerns for the long term.
    48 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2018
    In “Grit”, leading researcher Angela Duckworth accounts the latest academic thinking concerning the formidable topic of the “psychology of human achievement” -- the question of why some people achieve so much, and others don’t. Duckworth’s answer (spoiler alert: it’s grit) is unlikely to seem that surprising to those who have dabbled in pop-psychology books like “Outliers”, “Talent is Overrated”, “Peak”, or “Why Children Succeed,” and much of the material may feel a bit stale to those who have read extensively in this space. Nonetheless, it covers a fair range of ground in a readable and well-organized package, so is worth the price for a one-stop review or a first-read on the topic.

    Duckworth splits the book into 3 parts: Part I looks at what grit, part 2 discusses how one can acquire more of it, and part 3 looks at how to infuse it in others.

    In Part I, Duckworth gets to the core of what her research has added to the conversation about human achievment. While others have shown that what differentiates experts from others is hours of deliberate practice (rather than talent), Duckworth has identified the personality characteristic -- grit -- that seems to predict who will stick to it enough to do the hours (and therefore become the experts). Of course that those that stick to tasks have “grit” does not take a huge flight of the imagination -- in some ways it’s the very definition of the word. But Duckworth has also created a way to measure what grit actually is and quantify how much of it people have in the form of a “grit scale.” This then allows researchers to do all kinds of studies on it, which Duckworth has done and shown that it correlates with everything from graduation from West Point to sticking with a high pressure sales job.

    From a quantitative standpoint, it seems it would be pretty easy to pick apart the “grit scale”, were one so inclined. It is all self-assessed, includes such questions as “I don’t give up easily”, seems it may reflect self-view / self-confidence as much as “grit”, and hardly seems the stuff of analytical rigor. Nonetheless, Duckworth has contributed to the literature by at least proposing a standardized definition of what it means to have grit. In short, it has two parts: passion (sticking to what is important to you) plus perseverance (the ability to get back up once you have fallen).

    With the core of the argument defined, Parts 2 and 3 mostly rehash material I had already read elsewhere -- but I still found both to be worthwhile reads. Part 2 looks at how we can grow grit “from within.” The takeaway: find a passion, develop it through extensive practice, find smaller and smaller nuances and practice them until you master them, and develop it all into a larger purpose. Duckworth offers some useful tactical advice such as: “passion” does not happen in an institute and is not developed introspectively, it only happens over much time and interaction with the outside world.

    The chapter on “practice” is a rehash of the “deliberate practice” research that is featured in many other books (“Peak” by Ericsson if you want it straight from the source). In the perseverance section she touches on the fixed vs. growth mindset that characterizes optimistic people (who believe intelligence and ability can grow and therefore seek out challenge) from fixed-mindsetters who believe traits do not change, so are liable to shy away from challenges. To develop a “growth” mindset in others, one key is to praise for effort rather than ability.

    Finally in the third section Duckworth talks about how to develop grit in others. The most interesting chapter to me was on parenting. The best parenting style according to most researchers and the successful people Duckworth has interviewed is to be supportive (emotionally, etc) but also demanding (have high expectations, set and enforce clear rules, recognize the child isn’t always mature enough to have their own interest in mind), in contrast to being merely permissive (supportive but not demanding) or authoritarian (demanding and not supportive). To build grit, we should also encourage children to master new skills that are hard for them. Duckworth has a useful “hard thing” rule in her family where everyone has to commit to doing one “hard thing” (violin, soccer, etc.) and has to stick to it for a year. The next year they can pick a different one. Like much of the book, I’m not clear that this is really breaking new intellectual frontiers, but it’s still some useful thinking that I will adapt in my own life.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • KCS
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wish I had this book when I was 15 or 20 [now I’m 73]
    Reviewed in Canada on December 1, 2024
    Great book, well documented, eye opening.

    I wish I had this book when I was 15 or 20 [now I’m 73].

    I’ve had a great life and a lot of success, the concepts in this book might have made it easier. I have no doubt that grit played a large role in my successes, but with this book as a 15 year old the development of my grit would have been smoother and sooner.
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thia book will help you as a professional and as a parent
    Reviewed in Brazil on December 31, 2021
    The tone of the book is very informative and not "you must do this". The reading will present you an experiment and comment on it.

    At the end you will not have a step by step guide to become grit or more successful. Instead you will have a lot of tools and ways to see how people improved and act on situations.

    What you will do with it is up to you.

    I strongly recommend the reading for those who will enter in parenthood.
  • H. Sebastian
    5.0 out of 5 stars What it takes
    Reviewed in Germany on October 15, 2024
    On more than 400 pages or 13 chapters, the author takes on a journey on what „grit“ means, on how to grow it and apply it to your life. The first part of the book explains what grit means, that talent can distract while effort counts twice. Mrs. Duckworth explains how to measure grit, also scientifically, that great deeds come out of consistent practices, exercises etc. which is often experienced as „talent“ (see great achievements in sports), which makes it easier to process for the spectator.
    Being a parent of two young kids, I especially liked the third part on how growing grit inside your house / family / surroundings, how to train your kids, not being the enabler for them, but supporting them in their decision and coaxing them on following a regular hobby (like playing an instrument, doing certain sports...), especially setting rules on keeping this activity for a certain amount of time.
    What I really liked about the book is the connection to other literature I read in the past years, e.g. the the often cited growth mindset (read the book by Dr. Carol Dweck, you can also check my review), consistent habit building, leaving your comfort zone, constant life-long learning etc. This approach might resp. will collide with certain mindsets like the famous „work-life-balance“ (which lies, as perceived by a lot of persons on the life side instead of being a dynamic balance), but I am a great fan of the thoughts presented. I really liked the very detailed notes section, the writing style, the small personal anecdotes of Mrs. Duckworth, I can totally recommend this book.
    Customer image
    H. Sebastian
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    What it takes

    Reviewed in Germany on October 15, 2024
    On more than 400 pages or 13 chapters, the author takes on a journey on what „grit“ means, on how to grow it and apply it to your life. The first part of the book explains what grit means, that talent can distract while effort counts twice. Mrs. Duckworth explains how to measure grit, also scientifically, that great deeds come out of consistent practices, exercises etc. which is often experienced as „talent“ (see great achievements in sports), which makes it easier to process for the spectator.
    Being a parent of two young kids, I especially liked the third part on how growing grit inside your house / family / surroundings, how to train your kids, not being the enabler for them, but supporting them in their decision and coaxing them on following a regular hobby (like playing an instrument, doing certain sports...), especially setting rules on keeping this activity for a certain amount of time.
    What I really liked about the book is the connection to other literature I read in the past years, e.g. the the often cited growth mindset (read the book by Dr. Carol Dweck, you can also check my review), consistent habit building, leaving your comfort zone, constant life-long learning etc. This approach might resp. will collide with certain mindsets like the famous „work-life-balance“ (which lies, as perceived by a lot of persons on the life side instead of being a dynamic balance), but I am a great fan of the thoughts presented. I really liked the very detailed notes section, the writing style, the small personal anecdotes of Mrs. Duckworth, I can totally recommend this book.
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  • Romy Froemer
    5.0 out of 5 stars excellent, well-written, engaging food for thought
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 8, 2024
    I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and I will continue to ponder its content for years to come. It has already inspired me to increase the amount of deliberate practice in my life. Who knew, doing the hard thing brought me a lot of joy.
  • Anshu Rai
    5.0 out of 5 stars You Can't Skip This Book!
    Reviewed in India on February 18, 2023
    This book isn't something you should skip, if you get a chance to get your hand on it, don't hesitate and just grab a copy, it's worth the read!

    The author Angela Duckworth has done an amazing work in presenting a comprehensive view of grit with great brevity.

    This book starts from the basics, as on what is grit, and keeps on moving forward with a series of questions that would arise in any person's mind. I personally liked the way she has written the book, being a psychologist herself, she hasn't filled with this entirely with studies, and data rather it is light read with numerous stories from top athletes, actors, and many people who have worked their way to the top through consistent hardwork or 'grit'. The author has called them profoundly as 'grit paragons'.

    It is a book you should read if you feel that talent is innate as this book will challenge your views in a way that you might have a change in outlook. Also, you should read it if you feel that talent can be developed with consistent effort as this book will affirm your opinion with stories, studies, and data.

    Also, by including her own story, a story that anyone will be able to connect with due to its simplicity, I felt the book became more personal, and felt like conversation.

    So, I would recommend this book to every person whether they are on their path of self discovery and betterment, or whether they are on their path to being adamant, and depressed. It is going to give you perspective towards a fulfilling life, will instill a belief in the power of self, and might spark a flame of grit in you.

    A big shoutout to the author for writing this amazing book!