GRIT: The Power of Passion and Perseverance – Angela Duckworth
Summary: Angela Duckworth, a psychologist and MacArthur „Genius Grant“ recipient, argues that talent is overrated and that „grit“ – a combination of sustained passion and perseverance toward long-term goals – is the true predictor of success. Drawing on her research with West Point cadets, spelling bee champions and high-achieving professionals, she demonstrates that grit can be cultivated through developing specific interests, deliberate practice, connecting work to a larger purpose and adopting a growth mindset. The book dismantles the myth of innate genius and shows that achievement is less about raw ability and more about the relentless commitment to improvement over years, even in the face of setbacks and failures.
Why we like it: Angela Duckworth combines rigorous scientific research with deeply personal stories (including her own journey as the daughter of a scientist who constantly questioned her talent) to make the concept of grit both credible and relatable. What sets this book apart is its practical framework – the „grit scale“ for self-assessment and concrete strategies for parents, educators and individuals to develop grittier mindsets – transforming an abstract quality into something measurable and teachable.