In this instant New York Times bestseller pioneering psychologist Angela Duckworth shows
anyone striving to succeed—be it parents students educators athletes or business
people—that the secret to outstanding achievement is not talent but a special blend of passion
and persistence she calls “grit.” Drawing on her own powerful story as the daughter of a
scientist who frequently noted her lack of “genius ” Duckworth now a celebrated researcher and
professor describes her early eye-opening stints in teaching business consulting and
neuroscience which led to the hypothesis that what really drives success is not “genius” but a
unique combination of passion and long-term perseverance. In Grit she takes readers 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. Among Grit ’s most valuable insights: *Why any effort you
make ultimately counts twice toward your goal *How grit can be learned regardless of I.Q. or
circumstances *How lifelong interest is triggered *How much of optimal practice is suffering
and how much ecstasy *Which is better for your child—a warm embrace or high standards *The
magic of the Hard Thing Rule Winningly personal insightful and even life-changing Grit is
an inspiring self-improvement book about overcoming obstacles and what goes through your head
when you fall down and how that—not talent or luck—makes all the difference.
