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  • Grit

  • The Power of Passion and Perseverance
  • Written by: Angela Duckworth
  • Narrated by: Angela Duckworth
  • Length: 9 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (853 ratings)

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Grit

Written by: Angela Duckworth
Narrated by: Angela Duckworth
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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.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

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

What the critics say

"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)

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What listeners say about Grit

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Very repetitive

Good message but I got bored after a while from the content... but perhaps I don’t have enough grit to survive the book!

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10 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars

Good message, interesting research, too long.

I enjoyed this book and although I think most of the insights here were common sense, it was just to have those thing confirmed by research. But, I felt like it was pretty repetitive and could have been a lot shorter.

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4 people found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Should have hired a pro to read...

Some interesting ideas backed up with some research by the Author. However, she spends most of her time on personal experiences and observing the stories of others. The content was alright, but her reading is probably the worst I've heard to date (very robotic). The audio book could have greatly benefited from a professional reader.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Life changing!

I wish I had this knowledge 20 years ago. Grit contains key knowledge that can dramatically improve our ability to achieve succes in fulfilling our goals. It provides a mindset that can greatly empower leaders in any field. As a parent, I find the book invaluable in helping me provide my kids with key life skills. I very highly recommend this excellent, easily digestable book to anyone who wants to fulfill their fullest potential in any field.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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strive for more

I started this book a couple years ago, knowing it was and expecting it to be a personally challenging, yet also insightful and meaningful, read. I didn't complete it -- until today. Part of my motivation to finish came from a coworker's remark when, after I had observed that I was at the time part-way into in excess of 10 books that I intended someday to complete, he stated I probably struggle with completing tasks.

So, my small act of Grit, a step near the beginning of my journey, is to have completed this book. And it was everything and more than I expected. I do not yet live in the manner of a Grit paragon, so my personal challenge is to ensure each day is a non-zero day; to live every day striving to be more/better, even if only by degrees, than I am/was the day before.

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2 people found this helpful

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Interesting and informative

I often find myself replaying the audiobook even though I've already listens to it from start to finish. The narrator ( who is also the author) is pleasant to listen to and engaging. #audible1

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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A little too much about me.

I really loved the content and the lessons learned from this book will stay with me for a lifetime. I only pet peeve is the apparent self-promotion of the author. I think a little less about the author and a little more of other people's experience would make this book and easier listen and less narcissistic. Regardless of the tone of the book I would have 100% recommend this book to any parents who wants to help their kids succeed in life.

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2 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Grit was a good read

Great book for parents and teachers/educators, especially those new to the field. It was enlightening and in some ways familiar.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Every kid should listen/read this book

I think I have found this book even more appropriate because of the environnement we are living. It send to me that grit is one of the most element kids need to feel accomplish and enjoy life

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Should be a mandatory book for all teachers and coaches

I started reading this book because I am a first year teacher and coach and wanted to learn more about why some students struggle more than other. This book reaffirmed things that I already knew and offered insight into how to support and build grit. Will definitely read several times throughout my career as I bring it into my personal and professional life

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