Grit
The Power of Passion and Perseverance
by Angela Duckworth
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Technology executive and investor
“@AlexAndBooks_ Mindset by @CarolDweckDSU Grit by @angeladuckw Radical Candor by Kim Scott Quiet by @susancain No rules rules by @ErinMeyerINSEAD Phenomenal life changing books! | @abatalion The Happiness Project. Gretchen Rubin Upside of Stress. Kelly McGonigal Grit. Angela Duckworth Something to Food About. Questlove cc/@rabois | @alyssandamato 7habits Stephen Covey Grit Angela Duckworth Hooked Nir Eyal Malcom Gladwell , love data books | Book 6 from 2017. Although the title may make it appear intuitive, the reading is much more insightful and applicable than you might guess. | Grit is her word for persistence, focus, endurance, and constant improvement. Great thoughts on this point. If interested in it, also read the books here about deliberate practice. | 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. | 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. | Really about teaching your kids to focus on hard work and not intrinsic capability. | Talent x Effort = Skill. Skill x Effort = Accomplishment. SO EFFORT COUNTS TWICE. Paraphrased from GRIT by @angeladuckw. I recommend this book HIGHLY.”
Source →“@AlexAndBooks_ Mindset by @CarolDweckDSU Grit by @angeladuckw Radical Candor by Kim Scott Quiet by @susancain No rules rules by @ErinMeyerINSEAD Phenomenal life changing books! | @abatalion The Happiness Project. Gretchen Rubin Upside of Stress. Kelly McGonigal Grit. Angela Duckworth Something to Food About. Questlove cc/@rabois | @alyssandamato 7habits Stephen Covey Grit Angela Duckworth Hooked Nir Eyal Malcom Gladwell , love data books | Book 6 from 2017. Although the title may make it appear intuitive, the reading is much more insightful and applicable than you might guess. | Grit is her word for persistence, focus, endurance, and constant improvement. Great thoughts on this point. If interested in it, also read the books here about deliberate practice. | 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. | 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. | Really about teaching your kids to focus on hard work and not intrinsic capability. | Talent x Effort = Skill. Skill x Effort = Accomplishment. SO EFFORT COUNTS TWICE. Paraphrased from GRIT by @angeladuckw. I recommend this book HIGHLY.”
Source →“@AlexAndBooks_ Mindset by @CarolDweckDSU Grit by @angeladuckw Radical Candor by Kim Scott Quiet by @susancain No rules rules by @ErinMeyerINSEAD Phenomenal life changing books! | @abatalion The Happiness Project. Gretchen Rubin Upside of Stress. Kelly McGonigal Grit. Angela Duckworth Something to Food About. Questlove cc/@rabois | @alyssandamato 7habits Stephen Covey Grit Angela Duckworth Hooked Nir Eyal Malcom Gladwell , love data books | Book 6 from 2017. Although the title may make it appear intuitive, the reading is much more insightful and applicable than you might guess. | Grit is her word for persistence, focus, endurance, and constant improvement. Great thoughts on this point. If interested in it, also read the books here about deliberate practice. | 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. | 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. | Really about teaching your kids to focus on hard work and not intrinsic capability. | Talent x Effort = Skill. Skill x Effort = Accomplishment. SO EFFORT COUNTS TWICE. Paraphrased from GRIT by @angeladuckw. I recommend this book HIGHLY.”
Source →“@AlexAndBooks_ Mindset by @CarolDweckDSU Grit by @angeladuckw Radical Candor by Kim Scott Quiet by @susancain No rules rules by @ErinMeyerINSEAD Phenomenal life changing books! | @abatalion The Happiness Project. Gretchen Rubin Upside of Stress. Kelly McGonigal Grit. Angela Duckworth Something to Food About. Questlove cc/@rabois | @alyssandamato 7habits Stephen Covey Grit Angela Duckworth Hooked Nir Eyal Malcom Gladwell , love data books | Book 6 from 2017. Although the title may make it appear intuitive, the reading is much more insightful and applicable than you might guess. | Grit is her word for persistence, focus, endurance, and constant improvement. Great thoughts on this point. If interested in it, also read the books here about deliberate practice. | 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. | 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. | Really about teaching your kids to focus on hard work and not intrinsic capability. | Talent x Effort = Skill. Skill x Effort = Accomplishment. SO EFFORT COUNTS TWICE. Paraphrased from GRIT by @angeladuckw. I recommend this book HIGHLY.”
Source →“@AlexAndBooks_ Mindset by @CarolDweckDSU Grit by @angeladuckw Radical Candor by Kim Scott Quiet by @susancain No rules rules by @ErinMeyerINSEAD Phenomenal life changing books! | @abatalion The Happiness Project. Gretchen Rubin Upside of Stress. Kelly McGonigal Grit. Angela Duckworth Something to Food About. Questlove cc/@rabois | @alyssandamato 7habits Stephen Covey Grit Angela Duckworth Hooked Nir Eyal Malcom Gladwell , love data books | Book 6 from 2017. Although the title may make it appear intuitive, the reading is much more insightful and applicable than you might guess. | Grit is her word for persistence, focus, endurance, and constant improvement. Great thoughts on this point. If interested in it, also read the books here about deliberate practice. | 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. | 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. | Really about teaching your kids to focus on hard work and not intrinsic capability. | Talent x Effort = Skill. Skill x Effort = Accomplishment. SO EFFORT COUNTS TWICE. Paraphrased from GRIT by @angeladuckw. I recommend this book HIGHLY.”
Source →“@AlexAndBooks_ Mindset by @CarolDweckDSU Grit by @angeladuckw Radical Candor by Kim Scott Quiet by @susancain No rules rules by @ErinMeyerINSEAD Phenomenal life changing books! | @abatalion The Happiness Project. Gretchen Rubin Upside of Stress. Kelly McGonigal Grit. Angela Duckworth Something to Food About. Questlove cc/@rabois | @alyssandamato 7habits Stephen Covey Grit Angela Duckworth Hooked Nir Eyal Malcom Gladwell , love data books | Book 6 from 2017. Although the title may make it appear intuitive, the reading is much more insightful and applicable than you might guess. | Grit is her word for persistence, focus, endurance, and constant improvement. Great thoughts on this point. If interested in it, also read the books here about deliberate practice. | 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. | 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. | Really about teaching your kids to focus on hard work and not intrinsic capability. | Talent x Effort = Skill. Skill x Effort = Accomplishment. SO EFFORT COUNTS TWICE. Paraphrased from GRIT by @angeladuckw. I recommend this book HIGHLY.”
Source →“@AlexAndBooks_ Mindset by @CarolDweckDSU Grit by @angeladuckw Radical Candor by Kim Scott Quiet by @susancain No rules rules by @ErinMeyerINSEAD Phenomenal life changing books! | @abatalion The Happiness Project. Gretchen Rubin Upside of Stress. Kelly McGonigal Grit. Angela Duckworth Something to Food About. Questlove cc/@rabois | @alyssandamato 7habits Stephen Covey Grit Angela Duckworth Hooked Nir Eyal Malcom Gladwell , love data books | Book 6 from 2017. Although the title may make it appear intuitive, the reading is much more insightful and applicable than you might guess. | Grit is her word for persistence, focus, endurance, and constant improvement. Great thoughts on this point. If interested in it, also read the books here about deliberate practice. | 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. | 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. | Really about teaching your kids to focus on hard work and not intrinsic capability. | Talent x Effort = Skill. Skill x Effort = Accomplishment. SO EFFORT COUNTS TWICE. Paraphrased from GRIT by @angeladuckw. I recommend this book HIGHLY.”
Source →“@AlexAndBooks_ Mindset by @CarolDweckDSU Grit by @angeladuckw Radical Candor by Kim Scott Quiet by @susancain No rules rules by @ErinMeyerINSEAD Phenomenal life changing books! | @abatalion The Happiness Project. Gretchen Rubin Upside of Stress. Kelly McGonigal Grit. Angela Duckworth Something to Food About. Questlove cc/@rabois | @alyssandamato 7habits Stephen Covey Grit Angela Duckworth Hooked Nir Eyal Malcom Gladwell , love data books | Book 6 from 2017. Although the title may make it appear intuitive, the reading is much more insightful and applicable than you might guess. | Grit is her word for persistence, focus, endurance, and constant improvement. Great thoughts on this point. If interested in it, also read the books here about deliberate practice. | 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. | 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. | Really about teaching your kids to focus on hard work and not intrinsic capability. | Talent x Effort = Skill. Skill x Effort = Accomplishment. SO EFFORT COUNTS TWICE. Paraphrased from GRIT by @angeladuckw. I recommend this book HIGHLY.”
Source →“@AlexAndBooks_ Mindset by @CarolDweckDSU Grit by @angeladuckw Radical Candor by Kim Scott Quiet by @susancain No rules rules by @ErinMeyerINSEAD Phenomenal life changing books! | @abatalion The Happiness Project. Gretchen Rubin Upside of Stress. Kelly McGonigal Grit. Angela Duckworth Something to Food About. Questlove cc/@rabois | @alyssandamato 7habits Stephen Covey Grit Angela Duckworth Hooked Nir Eyal Malcom Gladwell , love data books | Book 6 from 2017. Although the title may make it appear intuitive, the reading is much more insightful and applicable than you might guess. | Grit is her word for persistence, focus, endurance, and constant improvement. Great thoughts on this point. If interested in it, also read the books here about deliberate practice. | 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. | 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. | Really about teaching your kids to focus on hard work and not intrinsic capability. | Talent x Effort = Skill. Skill x Effort = Accomplishment. SO EFFORT COUNTS TWICE. Paraphrased from GRIT by @angeladuckw. I recommend this book HIGHLY.”
Source →“@AlexAndBooks_ Mindset by @CarolDweckDSU Grit by @angeladuckw Radical Candor by Kim Scott Quiet by @susancain No rules rules by @ErinMeyerINSEAD Phenomenal life changing books! | @abatalion The Happiness Project. Gretchen Rubin Upside of Stress. Kelly McGonigal Grit. Angela Duckworth Something to Food About. Questlove cc/@rabois | @alyssandamato 7habits Stephen Covey Grit Angela Duckworth Hooked Nir Eyal Malcom Gladwell , love data books | Book 6 from 2017. Although the title may make it appear intuitive, the reading is much more insightful and applicable than you might guess. | Grit is her word for persistence, focus, endurance, and constant improvement. Great thoughts on this point. If interested in it, also read the books here about deliberate practice. | 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. | 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. | Really about teaching your kids to focus on hard work and not intrinsic capability. | Talent x Effort = Skill. Skill x Effort = Accomplishment. SO EFFORT COUNTS TWICE. Paraphrased from GRIT by @angeladuckw. I recommend this book HIGHLY.”
Source →Recommended by 12 notable people, including Tim Ferriss and Derek Sivers
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Reading Profile
Should I read this?
Angela Duckworth unpacks why persistent passion matters more than innate talent, weaving her own journey as a psychologist with case studies from spelling bees to Navy SEALs. The book's strength lies in its clear, memorable framing of grit as a key driver of achievement. However, it can feel repetitive, circling the same core idea with varying examples, and those already skeptical of pop psychology may find the stories thin. Useful as a foundation for rethinking effort, but not a step-by-step manual.
Read this if...
- •A mid-career professional frustrated by seeing less technically skilled colleagues advance and wondering if their own steady effort is misplaced.
- •A startup founder in the messy middle months after launch, tempted to pivot yet again when persistent iteration on the same idea is what's needed.
- •A parent debating whether to push their child harder in a difficult subject, worried about breaking their spirit but sensing that quitting too early might be the real harm.
Skip this if...
- •you'll likely put it down when the chapter on parenting begins to feel like a repeat of earlier sections with just different examples.
- •If you're looking for a rigorous scientific treatise, you'll find the evidence more illustrative than conclusive and the anecdotes more prominent than the data.
- •If you're in a life stage where systemic barriers block progress, the book's individual grit lens may feel dismissive of real constraints.
Why do naturally talented people frequently fail to reach their potential while other far less gifted individuals go on to achieve amazing things? The secret to outstanding achievement is not talent, but a passionate persistence. In other words, grit. Award-winning psychologist Angela Duckworth shares fascinating new revelations about who succeeds in life and why. Based on her cutting-edge research, Duckworth shows how many people achieve remarkable things not just by relying on innate natural talent, but by practising what she calls grit. She then offers a Grit Formula to help anyone to become more gritty, focusing on six key factors: hope, effort, precision, passion, ritual and…
Before You Buy
Reading Specifications
Difficulty:medium
Length:368 pages (Medium)
Audience Fit
- A mid-career professional frustrated by seeing less technically skilled colleagues advance and wondering if their own steady effort is misplaced.
- A startup founder in the messy middle months after launch, tempted to pivot yet again when persistent iteration on the same idea is what's needed.
- A parent debating whether to push their child harder in a difficult subject, worried about breaking their spirit but sensing that quitting too early might be the real harm.
- you'll likely put it down when the chapter on parenting begins to feel like a repeat of earlier sections with just different examples.
- If you're looking for a rigorous scientific treatise, you'll find the evidence more illustrative than conclusive and the anecdotes more prominent than the data.
- If you're in a life stage where systemic barriers block progress, the book's individual grit lens may feel dismissive of real constraints.
Check formats, pricing, and availability options for Kindle, physical print, or audiobooks directly.
View available editions on AmazonKey themes
Why recommended
Recommended by 19 sources and appears in Success, Resilience, and Cognitive Psychology.
Recommended by notable people
People and public figures who have recommended this book.
Recommendation Signals
Recommendation proof is sourced from public posts, interviews, reading lists, and cited references.
Tom Bilyeu
“@AlexAndBooks_ Mindset by @CarolDweckDSU Grit by @angeladuckw Radical Candor by Kim Scott Quiet by @susancain No rules rules by @ErinMeyerINSEAD Phenomenal life changing books! | @abatalion The Happiness Project. Gretchen Rubin Upside of Stress. Kelly McGonigal Grit. Angela Duckworth Something to Food About. Questlove cc/@rabois | @alyssandamato 7habits Stephen Covey Grit Angela Duckworth Hooked Nir Eyal Malcom Gladwell , love data books | Book 6 from 2017. Although the title may make it appear intuitive, the reading is much more insightful and applicable than you might guess. | Grit is her word for persistence, focus, endurance, and constant improvement. Great thoughts on this point. If interested in it, also read the books here about deliberate practice. | 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. | 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. | Really about teaching your kids to focus on hard work and not intrinsic capability. | Talent x Effort = Skill. Skill x Effort = Accomplishment. SO EFFORT COUNTS TWICE. Paraphrased from GRIT by @angeladuckw. I recommend this book HIGHLY.”
Appears In
Not sure if this is the right fit?
Consider The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. Recommended by 8 sources.
“Soft-spoken, heavily illustrated fable built from short dialogues and watercolor sketches. Each spread pairs a spare line of text with a loose drawing, so the pleasure is visual and aphoristic rather than narrative; readers collect felt-true sentences more than plot. Most useful when you want quick consolations, a prompt for conversation with a child, or a pause during a rough day. Limiting if you want sustained argument, concrete advice, or tightly plotted storytelling: the repetition of gentleness can feel sentimental or thin after a while.”
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Each recommendation is collected from a public source — interviews, articles, or curated lists — and linked to its original URL. Books with many verifiable recommendations from respected people rank higher.