Mar 2020

This is a book worth a read at any time but at the moment it is probably fair to say that we could all do with a little optimism; and also from taking the time to consider ideas for making a better world. Bregman does this with a vibrancy, energy and pace that sweeps you along with him from the first page.

He sets out his vision for doing things differently; beautifully and creatively using history and research (and of course data!) to illustrate his points.

Utopia has become synonymous with fiction and things that are unachievable. But, if we start to look at it as something which we can, collectively, strive for, maybe we can ‘re-home’ it in the real world. We need hope now more than we have in a long time. This book gives us hope and encourages us to be active participants in the delivery of better outcomes, rather than passive bystanders in the absence of them.

“A map of the world that does not include Utopia is not worth even glancing at, for it leaves out the one country at which Humanity is always landing. And when Humanity lands there, it looks out, and, seeing a better country, sets sail. Progress is the realisation of Utopias.”Oscar Wilde