Grit
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.”
Where Grit keeps showing up
Seven of our editors' lists feature this novel.
Books in conversation with Grit
A few of the closest reads from our full list.
What you might want to know about Grit
The questions readers send us most often, answered without spoilers.
A psychologist, drawing on West Point cadets, spelling bee kids, and her own life, makes a case that perseverance over the long haul matters more than talent, and offers ways for readers and parents to grow it.
Grit argues that long-term passion combined with perseverance (which Angela Duckworth calls grit) predicts achievement more reliably than talent or IQ. The book draws on her research at the University of Pennsylvania, including her work with West Point cadets.
Angela Duckworth's grit research has been influential and is grounded in peer-reviewed studies. Some specific claims about grit's predictive power have been challenged by replication studies, but the core framework of effort plus persistence remains widely accepted.
Grit was written by Angela Duckworth, published in 2016 by Collins.
Grit is 353 pages in standard print editions, though page counts vary slightly between hardcover, paperback, and large-print formats.
At an average reading pace of about 250 words per minute, Grit takes most readers 5 to 8 hours to finish.
Grit is a standalone novel by Angela Duckworth, not part of a series.
Grit is available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats from Amazon, Bookshop.org, ThriftBooks, and most major bookstores.
