This blog post is the final in the series about themes in The Ambition. The novel was released, and the week of September 16-23 will be its official Launch Week. As the title implies, ambition is the primary theme. But what is it, and why is it important? Vocabulary.com defines it as: “Ambition is a strong desire to achieve.” Synonyms include aspiration, drive, and dream.

Is ambition important?

It certainly is. One reason is it propels you to set exciting goals and do everything possible to attain them. It has a motivational force that helps you face challenges directly and builds a growth mindset. The moving forward momentum encourages you to pursue your goals and work toward a more purposeful life.

In The Ambition, John, the protagonist, never wants to live the average life like his father. From age ten, he decided he wanted bigger and better things, and his dream never wavered. Forbes.com published an article in 2022 explaining why pursuing one’s ambition is helpful: “Ambition is what drives people to new heights. It’s what creates the motivation to improve oneself, to grow a business or accomplish other meaningful goals.”

But there is an issue with the word. Many people wince when they hear it as they think of the get-there-at-all-cost leaders who trampled on others on the way to the top.

Here are a few quotes on ambition by some famous people:

“Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in”—Bill Bradley

“All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind”—Joseph Conrad

“The universe is not required to be in perfect harmony with human ambition”—Carl Sagan

“Ambition is a drug that makes its addicts potential madmen”—Emil Cioran

“It’s okay to have personal ambitions, but you have to take someone with you”—Roger Staubach

As you read The Ambition, you will learn how John worked to achieve his dream and the fallout of his obsessive drive.