First off, this book is very well written. Has a nice flow to it and is easy to understand. That said...
This book reminds me of how the government will spend millions of dollars on a study to tell you something you already know: "After an exhaustive multi-year study costing $10 million dollars, we have concluded that ice is cold to the touch." This book is very much like that. I can't think of one single concept presented in the book that isn't already common knowledge. Example: Hard work and perseverance can make up for lack of talent. Who doesn't already know this? Here's another one: People who like what they are doing (passion), usually do better than those who do not. Every single point made in this book is about that profound. And, if you are looking for proven ways to increase you own "grit," forget about it--they are not there.
This material might make for a good 10-page whitepaper, but it isn't nearly deep enough to make into a 300 page book. Because of that, there is just major filler in the form of stories about successful people.
Lastly, like another reviewer pointed out, this book has a self-righteous undertone to it. The author burns a lot of ink making sure you think she's smart and important.
I'll save you $20: The most successful people work really hard at something they like and don't give up.
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance Paperback – Illustrated, 21 August 2018
by
Angela Duckworth
(Author)
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Product details
- Language : English
- Paperback : 368 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1501111116
- ISBN-13 : 978-1501111112
- Best Sellers Rank: 4,396 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer reviews:
Product description
Review
Grit is a useful guide for parents or teachers looking for confirmation that passion and persistence matter, and for inspiring models of how to cultivate these important qualities.
--The Washington Post
[Blends] anecdote and science, statistic and yarn...Not your grandpa's self-help book, but Duckworth's text is oddly encouraging, exhorting us to do better by trying harder, and a pleasure to read.
--Kirkus Reviews
A fascinating tour of the psychological research on success...A great service of Ms. Duckworth's book is her down-to-earth definition of passion. To be gritty, an individual doesn't need to have an obsessive infatuation with a goal. Rather, he needs to show 'consistency over time.' The grittiest people have developed long-term goals and are constantly working toward them.
--The Wall Street Journal
An informative and inspiring contribution to the literature of success.
--Publishers Weekly
Angela Duckworth [is] the psychologist who has made 'grit' the reigning buzzword in education-policy circles...Duckworth's ideas about the cultivation of tenacity have clearly changed some lives for the better...In this book, Duckworth, whose TED talk has been viewed more than eight million times, brings her lessons to the reading public.
--Judith Shulevitz, The New York Times Book Review
Engaging...With strong appeal for readers of Daniel H. Pink, Malcolm Gladwell, and Susan Cain, this is a must-have.
--Booklist
If you have recently bumped into that word, grit, Duckworth is the reason...In education and parenting circles, her research has provided a much needed antipode to hovering, by which children are systematically deprived of the opportunity to experience setbacks, much less overcome them...What sticks with you [in Grit] are the testimonials, collected from sources as disparate as Will Smith, William James, and Jeff Bezos's mom, that relentlessly deflate the myth of the natural.
--The Atlantic
It really isn't talent but practice--along with passion--that makes perfect, explains psychologist Duckworth in this illuminating book. Inspiration for non-geniuses everywhere.
--People
One of The Hottest Spring Nonfiction Books
--The Wall Street Journal
"This book will change your life. Fascinating, rigorous, and practical, Grit is destined to be a classic in the literature of success."
--Dan Heath, co-author of Made to Stick, Switch, and Decisive
--The Washington Post
[Blends] anecdote and science, statistic and yarn...Not your grandpa's self-help book, but Duckworth's text is oddly encouraging, exhorting us to do better by trying harder, and a pleasure to read.
--Kirkus Reviews
A fascinating tour of the psychological research on success...A great service of Ms. Duckworth's book is her down-to-earth definition of passion. To be gritty, an individual doesn't need to have an obsessive infatuation with a goal. Rather, he needs to show 'consistency over time.' The grittiest people have developed long-term goals and are constantly working toward them.
--The Wall Street Journal
An informative and inspiring contribution to the literature of success.
--Publishers Weekly
Angela Duckworth [is] the psychologist who has made 'grit' the reigning buzzword in education-policy circles...Duckworth's ideas about the cultivation of tenacity have clearly changed some lives for the better...In this book, Duckworth, whose TED talk has been viewed more than eight million times, brings her lessons to the reading public.
--Judith Shulevitz, The New York Times Book Review
Engaging...With strong appeal for readers of Daniel H. Pink, Malcolm Gladwell, and Susan Cain, this is a must-have.
--Booklist
If you have recently bumped into that word, grit, Duckworth is the reason...In education and parenting circles, her research has provided a much needed antipode to hovering, by which children are systematically deprived of the opportunity to experience setbacks, much less overcome them...What sticks with you [in Grit] are the testimonials, collected from sources as disparate as Will Smith, William James, and Jeff Bezos's mom, that relentlessly deflate the myth of the natural.
--The Atlantic
It really isn't talent but practice--along with passion--that makes perfect, explains psychologist Duckworth in this illuminating book. Inspiration for non-geniuses everywhere.
--People
One of The Hottest Spring Nonfiction Books
--The Wall Street Journal
"This book will change your life. Fascinating, rigorous, and practical, Grit is destined to be a classic in the literature of success."
--Dan Heath, co-author of Made to Stick, Switch, and Decisive
About the Author
Angela Duckworth, PhD, is a 2013 MacArthur Fellow and professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. She has advised the World Bank, NBA and NFL teams, and Fortune 500 CEOs. She is also the founder and CEO of Character Lab, a nonprofit whose mission is to advance scientific insights that help kids thrive. She completed her BA in neurobiology at Harvard, her MSc in neuroscience at Oxford, and her PhD in psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance is her first book and an instant New York Times bestseller.
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Most helpful customer reviews on Amazon.com
Amazon.com:
4.5 out of 5 stars
1,465 reviews

Slick Rhoads
2.0 out of 5 stars
Nothing new here. Save yourself the read.
5 May 2018 -
Published on Amazon.comVerified Purchase
949 people found this helpful

Dmitry
2.0 out of 5 stars
If you saw the author's TED talk on grit, there is not much you will learn from reading this book
27 September 2017 -
Published on Amazon.comVerified Purchase
I normally never post a review on Amazon, but in this case I simply could not stop mysefl from posting it, as I had great expectations about this book after seeying the TED talk of Ms. Duckworth and hearing a Freakonomics podcast with her. In the end, I was disappointed.
Please also excuse grammar/ spelling, as I'm writing this from Russia and I'm not a native English speaker.
This book tells us that grit (and not talent or luck) is essential for success in life.
The reader will find multiple anecdotes on how so-and-so achieved much by perseverence, passion and not giving up.
So half of the book is dedicated to showing a reader how important is grit for success (quite convincingly, but to my taste, way too extensively; couple of anecdotes and studies mentioned would have done as good as these several chapters). Along with anecdotes some (quite robust) scientific evidence is given.
What the book lacks completely, is scientifically based advice HOW TO BUILD GRIT. As someone, who struggles to be gritty in my daily life, I had great hopes to find valuable hints in this book. There are a few, but very "soft" ones (like the author assumes they should work, but being honest with the reader, concedes that there is no evidence behind these tips).
Please also excuse grammar/ spelling, as I'm writing this from Russia and I'm not a native English speaker.
This book tells us that grit (and not talent or luck) is essential for success in life.
The reader will find multiple anecdotes on how so-and-so achieved much by perseverence, passion and not giving up.
So half of the book is dedicated to showing a reader how important is grit for success (quite convincingly, but to my taste, way too extensively; couple of anecdotes and studies mentioned would have done as good as these several chapters). Along with anecdotes some (quite robust) scientific evidence is given.
What the book lacks completely, is scientifically based advice HOW TO BUILD GRIT. As someone, who struggles to be gritty in my daily life, I had great hopes to find valuable hints in this book. There are a few, but very "soft" ones (like the author assumes they should work, but being honest with the reader, concedes that there is no evidence behind these tips).
341 people found this helpful

Pham Account
1.0 out of 5 stars
It started out as a great book, but it never transitioned
30 June 2018 -
Published on Amazon.comVerified Purchase
It started out as a great book, but it never transitioned. You're stuck reading about the same argument, but she backs it up using way too many studies. Shrink the book, reduce the content, and it'll be a great book. In fact, it takes a Gritty person like myself to finish this book. My first book review on Amazon, I just had to let everyone know... every page is the same. I finished it, just for the sake of finishing (like I do all my books).
116 people found this helpful

ericnoreen
4.0 out of 5 stars
I found this book to be the perfect hybrid of informative and motivating
13 September 2017 -
Published on Amazon.comVerified Purchase
I found this book to be the perfect hybrid of informative and motivating. If you're looking for a book that will help educate you as to what you should do in your life and how you can be successful doing it, then this is the book for you. It lays out chapter-by-chapter both the science and the steps you'll need to take in order to make changes in your life that will lead you to success or at least put you on the path towards it. The mix of anecdotes, profiles, scientific studies, and personal stories all combine to form a really easy-to-read and educational book that is laid out and displayed in a simple yet interesting way. Below I took a crack at the things I'm going to do now going forward as a result of reading this book:
1. Define what success looks like (i.e., I want to get into politics and would eventually like to become a Senator)
2. Clearly define my goals in terms of short-term, medium-term and long-term
3. Assign myself stretch goals
4. Reflect and learn from any obstacles or challenges or failures faced
5. Begin deliberate practice in my field (repeatedly stepping outside my comfort zone and trying activities beyond my current abilities)
6. Seek a coach and / or mentor
7. Gather and then grow a support network of friends, family, and industry professionals
8. Become even more obsessed / interested in my field and consume myself with news, books, articles, lectures, etc.
9. Learn from others who are where I want to be
10. Never become complacent or satisfied
1. Define what success looks like (i.e., I want to get into politics and would eventually like to become a Senator)
2. Clearly define my goals in terms of short-term, medium-term and long-term
3. Assign myself stretch goals
4. Reflect and learn from any obstacles or challenges or failures faced
5. Begin deliberate practice in my field (repeatedly stepping outside my comfort zone and trying activities beyond my current abilities)
6. Seek a coach and / or mentor
7. Gather and then grow a support network of friends, family, and industry professionals
8. Become even more obsessed / interested in my field and consume myself with news, books, articles, lectures, etc.
9. Learn from others who are where I want to be
10. Never become complacent or satisfied
142 people found this helpful