Moral Ambition

The inspiring, life-changing new book from global sensation Rutger Bregman, Moral Ambition shows how our world has been shaped by a small group of committed individuals who changed the course of history - and how you can, too.

Every day we're bombarded with methods, mantras and life hacks that promise us wellness and prosperity - while time and talent remain some of our most squandered resources. The average full-time worker will spend 80,000 hours at their job: are you making the most of them? Do you truly believe in what you do, day in, day out?

What if you want to do something more with your limited time on the planet?

Internationally bestselling author Rutger Bregman shows us that with moral ambition - the will to make the world a wildly better place - we can be both idealistic and successful, and change the world along the way. Uncovering the qualities that made the great change-makers of history so effective, he shows how we too can lend our talents to the biggest challenges of our time, from climate change to inequality to the next pandemic. With moral ambition, we can do more than be on the right side of history: we can make history itself.

This book won't make your life easier, but it should make it more meaningful. The question is: what will you do with it?

As the 2025 BBC Reith Lecturer, Rutger Bregman will present 'Moral Revolution', a four part series:
-A Time of Monsters
-How To Start a Moral Revolution
-A Realist's Utopia
-Zoom Out
Available to listen on BBC Four.

Review

I believe [Rutger] calls himself a historian, he's not. He's a revolutionary in a sensible coat -- Russell Crowe

Rutger Bregman has become the voice in my head -- Jameela Jamil

About the Author

Rutger Bregman, a historian and writer, is one of Europe's most prominent young thinkers. His books Humankind and Utopia for Realists were both Sunday Times and New York Times bestsellers. His work has been translated into 46 languages and has sold over two million copies. He lives in New York City.