Moral Ambition
How to Stop Wasting Your Talent and Start Making a Difference
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A career consists of 2,000 workweeks, and how you spend that time is one of the most important decisions of your life. Still, millions of people are stuck in in mind-numbing, pointless, or just plain harmful jobs.
There’s an antidote to this waste of talent, and it’s called moral ambition. Moral ambition is the will to be among the best, but with different measures of success. Not a fancy title, fat salary, or corner office, but a career dedicated to the best solutions to the world’s biggest problems— whether that means tackling climate change, making pandemics history or fighting Big Tobacco.
In Moral Ambition, internationally bestselling author Rutger Bregman reveals how our conventional definitions of success are harming us and the planet, and shows how we can shift the focus from personal gain to societal benefit. In the process, he explains, we will join a growing movement of pioneers who are already living out this ethos. They’re the builders, the problem-solvers, the doers who have chosen a path less traveled. A guidebook to finding that path for ourselves, Moral Ambition reminds us that the real measure of success lies not in what we accumulate, but in what we contribute, and shows how we, too, can build a legacy that truly matters.
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“This book is the wakeup call that our world sorely needs. With his signature clarity and conviction, Rutger Bregman boldly and brilliantly challenges us to hold ourselves to higher standards—and do more for others. Moral Ambition is the rare read that might actually help you become a better person.”Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and Hidden Potential, and host of the podcast Re:Thinking
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“Fresh, lucid, and persuasive, Moral Ambition gives us hope, humor, and guidance at a time when all are in short supply. Bregman’s version of our century is ever so much better than the one around us, and so we should all read, consider, and act.”Timothy Snyder, #1 New York Times bestselling author of On Tyranny
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"Moral Ambition offers a refreshing antidote to both cynical fatalism and naive idealism. If you’re willing to trade a life of comfort for a life of meaning, Rutger Bregman is your guide and this book is your map.”Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Power of Regret, Drive, and When
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"This is one of very few books in my life that has changed how I view the world (and my world, too!). It is a true bible of realistic idealism. It takes awareness of 'getting things done' to a new level, with a dynamic invitation to up each of our games. This is a must read."David Allen, author of Getting Things Done
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“We have come to accept so many things as normal—skyrocketing inequalities, gargantuan firms ruling our lives, virtue signaling on social media instead of democratic participation, all of us just worrying about our image while the world is on fire. We need to dream of and articulate to each other an alternative vision for a society in which we have control over our lives and can still speak truth to power via the democratic process and free media. I hope this readable, audacious book calling for greater moral ambition can be a first step.”Daron Acemoglu, Professor at MIT and winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2024
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"A fierce and brilliant call to arms for anyone who has been wondering whether there's more to life. (There is.) Bregman wants to change you, and he just might succeed. This is a wonderfully dangerous book."Tim Harford, author of The Undercover Economist
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"Moral Ambition is a beautiful and courageous book about one of the most important questions each of us will face: what will we do with our one life? Rutger Bregman calls for a seismic norm shift in how those of us with the privilege to consider our career choices think about where we put our greatest resources—our time and energy."Wendy Kopp, founder of Teach for America
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“In Moral Ambition, Rutger Bregman challenges us to rethink what we want to do with our lives. This practical and inspiring book is the best antidote to the pessimists and cynics who make you believe that nothing can be done about the problems we face today. Bregman helps you to expand your ethical ambitions and discover how you can contribute to a better world. Moral Ambition is the practical handbook for anyone ready to dedicate their life to making real change. Imagine what we could achieve together if everyone read Rutger’s book!”Max Roser, founder, Our World in Data
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"A new look at how to make the world a better place, guided by reason, balance, and engaging case studies. Bregman avoids easy moralizing and lazy conventional wisdom to offer a fresh and practical guide to idealism."Steven Pinker, Harvard Professor and author of Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress
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"The key to solving our biggest problems isn’t just awareness, political will, or money—it’s ambitious individuals willing to dedicate their time and skills to improving the world. This book will inspire you to become one of them."Boyan Slat, Founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup
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“Not for the faint-hearted. But an essential guide for those who are determined to make a difference. Packed with powerful insights, inspiring stories, and data to back it up, Bregman challenges us to think and act bigger. Read it, then go out and change the world.”Hannah Ritchie, author of Not the End of the World
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“A terrific read. There are so many things in here that made me think, 'Yes, exactly!' With Moral Ambition, Rutger Bregman has pulled off something remarkable: a lively and entertaining read that is full of important wisdom about some of life's most important questions. I hope everyone who wants to make the world a better place will read it. Even if all they take away is the lessons of the chapter on seeing winning as our moral duty, that would already greatly improve their prospects of doing good.”Peter Singer, professor of bioethics, emeritus, Princeton University and author of Animal Liberation and The Life You Can Save
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"Do you want to read a book about the most important decisions of your life? Rutger Bregman has produced that book and you should read it."Tyler Cowen, Chair of Economics at George Mason University
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“Clear, brave, important and provocative. Forcing us to reassess and defend the most fundamental moral principles and purposes of our lives.”Rory Stewart, author of The Places in Between
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“Another barnstorming, transformative book by one of the greatest thinkers of the 21st century. It is uplifting, inspiring, informative and entertaining in equal measure. I defy you to read it and not be motivated to act.”George Monbiot, author of Regenesis
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“Do you want to use your talents and ideals to make a meaningful difference? Here is an inspiring and powerful call to action: why pursuing an altruistic career is not only vital for our shared future but can also bring you deeper personal fulfillment and happiness.”Princess Mabel of Orange
- On Sale
- May 6, 2025
- Page Count
- 288 pages
- Publisher
- Little, Brown and Company
- ISBN-13
- 9780316580359
“A career consists of 2,000 workweeks. How you spend that time is one of the most vital decisions of your life. Still, millions of people are stuck in mind-numbing, pointless, or just plain harmful jobs. There’s an antidote to this waste of talent, and it’s called moral ambition.”
—Rutger Bregman