The Case for Quitting

"Sometimes the most powerful way forward is knowing when to let go. In The Case for Quitting, Lindsay shows us how." — Allyson Felix, most-decorated Olympic track & field athlete in history

"Required reading for anyone feeling trapped by the pressure to push through." — Annie Duke, bestselling author of Quit and Thinking In Bets

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?