Grit

The Power of Passion and Perseverance

By: Angela Duckworth

Narrated by: Angela Duckworth

Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

In this must-listen book for anyone striving to succeed, pioneering psychologist Angela Duckworth shows parents, educators, students, and businesspeople - both seasoned and new - that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent but a focused persistence called "grit".

Why do some people succeed and others fail? Sharing new insights from her landmark research on grit, MacArthur "genius" Angela Duckworth explains why talent is hardly a guarantor of success. Rather, other factors can be even more crucial, such as identifying our passions and following through on our commitments.

Drawing on her own powerful story as the daughter of a scientist who frequently bemoaned her lack of smarts, Duckworth describes her winding path through teaching, business consulting, and neuroscience, which led to the hypothesis that what really drives success is not genius but a special blend of passion and long-term perseverance. As a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Duckworth created her own "character lab" and set out to test her theory.

Here, she takes listeners into the field to visit teachers working in some of the toughest schools, cadets struggling through their first days at West Point, 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 J.P. Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon to the cartoon editor of The New Yorker to Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll.

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.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2016 Angela Duckworth. All rights reserved. (P)2016 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"Psychologist Angela Duckworth's winning performance is a nice blend of confidence in her scientific findings and humility about her personal and professional journey. Her accessible writing and speaking charm help her research on character reveal much about why people with the same abilities get vastly different results." ( AudioFile)

The Soul of The Super Achievers

I have been studying ways to improve myself and my kids for almost a decade. I've read and listened to many books that talked about grit. And I searched many times for "Angela Duckworth and grit". Well, what a beautiful surprise to find this excellent book and to listen to it twice already, in the month of its release. Angela Duckworth is the main scientist that studies GRIT. And in this book she delivers all her knowledge in a very profound yet comprehensive way.
But, instead of writing only about grit and her researches, she goes beyond and talks about play, deliberate practice, flow and many other important topics of the psychology of success.
I will try to highlight the message, but I recommend you to read the book at least once.
Grit is a consistency of effort and practice. A gritty person have the attitude of never giving up, have an obsession and go for it, try to be the best in the world and always search for ways to improve; A gritty person has passion and perseverance.
Having grit is better than having talent (but better to have both). To have grit is to have a laser bean focus (specially on your weaknesses) to achieve what you desire, to get feedback from others and from yourself and use it to make adjustments to be more competent.
A terrific book with plenty of sound advices. Read it and share with others that the ultimate book of success has arrived.

Good stories, difficult to justify a full book

Any additional comments?

It really is a very interesting book with many great points and stories. However, it's just not enough for a full book.

WOW!!!

This book is an absolute must read for anyone planning to be the best them possible!

excellent book!

Great research told through very effective and relevant vignettes. applicable in all aspects of life, both personally and professionally enhancing.

Life altering - motivating - absolutely thrilling!!!

I highly recommend this book If you want to excel or need a motivating book just to pull out of a slump. I really like how the author points out how far one can succeed by simply never giving up and regardless of your background if you are the grittiest and motivated to be the best you will be

The push every person needs

Amazing, deep and motivational book. Definetly the push we all need to keep our path and if we feel like falling, being able to stand up

Facinating and Inspiring

I rarely read (or listen to) a book more than once. I intend to read Grit every year. It's that good, that important.

Education

I truly enjoyed listening...even better narrated by Angela Duckworth herself. I first heard of Grit from an educator in a highly subscribed university and medical school. She too is a very strong and intelligent woman that I admire.

I know I will likely listen a few more times and recommend often. For me, I give high fives because it hits home on so many levels for me personally and many of my friends. And is communicated in the most eloquent way.

Those with young children or grandchildren should absolutely read. Thank you.

Compelling research and delivery

I enjoyed this book enough that I think I'll purchase the Kindle book for it. It's the kind of book that needs to be looked over multiple times to be absorbed.

Inspiring and Motivating

I was inspired with all the different stories of people who overcame great odds. Well put together. A MUST read.