Margaret J. Wheatley’s revised book Perseverance, Second Edition was published on October 20, 2026, bringing an updated version of her reflections on endurance, discouragement and purposeful action to readers facing difficult circumstances. The 168-page paperback, published by Berrett-Koehler Publishers, adds a new introduction that considers how the book can be used individually or in groups. It is a revision of an existing work, not a completely new title.
The book approaches perseverance through short, self-contained essays rather than a single prescribed system for overcoming adversity. Its subjects include moments when people feel exhausted, betrayed, uncertain or tempted to abandon work they consider meaningful. Wheatley also examines the smaller experiences that can sustain commitment, including the recognition that a modest contribution can still matter even when a larger problem remains unresolved.
The updated edition addresses pressures encountered at work, at home, within communities and in personal life. The essays consider emotional responses that may either help or complicate persistence, including guilt, jealousy, joy and fearlessness. The format allows readers to enter the book at different points rather than following a linear sequence of exercises or lessons.
That structure is relevant to coaches and personal development practitioners who work with people experiencing prolonged uncertainty. Much of the self-improvement market emphasizes clear goals, visible progress and the prospect of eventually resolving a problem. Wheatley’s book takes up a different question: what helps someone remain engaged when circumstances are painful, progress is uneven or an outcome cannot be controlled?
The revised edition also includes poems and quotations drawn from different traditions and cultures. Their presence gives the book a reflective and spiritual dimension alongside its practical subject matter. The publisher describes the work as illustrated, but its central offering remains a collection of brief essays intended to be revisited during periods of strain.
The new introduction’s attention to group use is a noteworthy change. It suggests a setting beyond private reading, in which the book’s individual reflections might become starting points for shared discussion. That possibility is especially pertinent to facilitators, community organizers and coaches working with groups navigating change. The publisher does not, however, describe the book as a formal training curriculum or a clinically tested intervention.
The publication also arrives in a field where resilience is frequently discussed as an individual skill. Wheatley’s emphasis on work, community and the emotional complexity of persistence broadens that conversation without promising that every challenge can be overcome through determination. The revised book is best understood as a resource for reflection on how people continue, and what they choose to remain committed to, when easy answers are unavailable.
Source: Berrett-Koehler Publishers
Web: https://bkconnection.com/collections/new-releases/products/9798890572523_perseverance-second-edition
