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The Case for Quitting

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What to expect

‘A book for everyone who strives for greatness. Lindsay Crouse’s writing reminds us that quitting is not giving up, but is finding the power to determine our own destiny’ MARY CAIN

'The Case for Quitting should be required reading for anyone feeling trapped by the pressure to push through’ ANNIE DUKE

In a world that prizes persistence, acclaimed journalist Lindsay Crouse offers a radical strategy for getting what we want: Quit.

We live in a society that champions perseverance, sweat, and tenacity no matter the cost. But what if our relentlessness results in failure, sunken costs, and poor health, rather than success, happiness, and vitality?

An endurance athlete and 15-year veteran of the New York Times, Crouse explores stories from across our lives – work, relationships, and broader goals – to argue that when perseverance turns against us, quitting isn’t just a way out. Often, it’s the first step to something better. A pivot. A break. A chance to go further – or be free.

She delves into the science of perseverance versus walking away from aspects of our lives, and relays a diverse blend of compelling personal stories, historical examples, and psychological insights – from the origins of the self-help genre to Bear Bryant’s “hell camp” to the Finnish concept of sisu, resilience – to answer such questions as:

  • When is it time to let go of unproductive efforts?
  • How does quitting make new opportunities?
  • When are relationships growing and when are they just a dangerous rut?

For anyone at a crossroads in their personal or professional lives, The Case for Quitting is a groundbreaking guide that ruptures our core beliefs. Career seekers, athletes, entrepreneurs, and anyone exploring new opportunities or feeling stuck in unproductive routines will appreciate its insights on the courage and – importantly – strategy involved in quitting.

Critics Review

'Lindsay Crouse has done a wonderful job combining vivid descriptions of the lives of extraordinary people with thoughtful discussion of social science evidence to make a convincing case that, at least sometimes, 'I give up' is the right thing to say. It's not easy to know when to quit, but 'Never Quit' is terrible, destructive advice'
n Barry Schwartz, bestselling author of The Paradox of Choice and Choose Wiselyn
‘Picking up a book called The Case for Quitting felt like an act of betrayal to my self-identity as a grinder—which is exactly why I needed to read it. Crouse makes a compelling case that knowing when to walk away is a crucial but neglected life skill’
n Alex Hutchinson, New York Times bestselling author of Enduren
‘If part of life is having to cope with change, then we also need to learn how to quit […] This book is a friendly invitation to rethink the act of quitting and to see it not as failure, but as a powerful tool for growth and rediscovery’
n Maya Shankar, New York Times bestselling author of The Other Side of Changen
'Finally! Lindsay Crouse says it loud and clear: There’s a big difference between quitting and changing. So go ahead and change your mind or your path. You get to change them more than once'
n Meg Jay PhD, bestselling author of The Defining Decade and The Twentysomething Treatmentn
'Lindsay Crouse has written an important corrective to our culture’s obsession with relentless achievement. The Case for Quitting reminds us that flourishing depends not only on commitment, but on discernment – the ability to recognize when a path is no longer helping us become who we want to be'
n Robert Waldinger, MD, Harvard Medical School professor and New York Times bestselling author of The Good Lifen
‘Lindsay Crouse exposes the dangerous myth that perseverance is always a virtue and offers actionable insights to transform your approach to success and happiness'
n Annie Duke, bestselling author of Quit and Thinking In Betsn
Author Lindsay Crouse
Narrator Lindsay Crouse
Duration 7 hours and 15 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9780008568054
Format Audiobook
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Genre Advice on careers and achieving success, Assertiveness, motivation, self-esteem and positive mental attitude, Cognition and cognitive psychology, Occupational and industrial psychology, Psychology: the self, ego, identity, personality, Sociology: family and relationships, Sociology: work and labour
Availability AU, GB, IE

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