Listen and read

Step into an infinite world of stories

  • Read and listen as much as you want
  • Over 950 000 titles
  • Exclusive titles + Storytel Originals
  • Easy to cancel anytime
Try now
image.devices-Singapore 2x
Cover for The Theory of the Leisure Class
Try now

The Theory of the Leisure Class

Try now
Duration
12H 13min
Language
English
Format
Category

Economy & Business

In 1890s America Thorstein Veblen attacked a careless acceptance of prevailing social structures, identifying ancient roots for ‘pecuniary culture’ and ‘conspicuous consumption’ – realities that promoted materialism and squashed fulfilment. In The Theory of the Leisure Class the worthy Engineer, creating essential products for all, is pitted against the predatory Businessman, exempt from grubby industrial toil and focussed on useless profits. Thanks to its literary merit, placing Veblen among outstanding like-minded contemporaries such as Edith Wharton and Henry James, the arguments it contains were especially persuasive. Veblen shook things up with his fascinating analysis of a society that is wasting time and money. Greatly influential and ever relevant, it is presented here with warmth and authority by Robert G. Slade.

© 2025 Naxos Audiobooks (Audiobook): 9781781985595

Release date

Audiobook: 1 May 2025

Tags

Others also enjoyed ...

  1. The Oxford Handbook of Kant
    The Oxford Handbook of Kant
  2. Why Ecosystems Matter: Preserving the Key to Our Survival
    Why Ecosystems Matter: Preserving the Key to Our Survival Christopher Wills
  3. Aesop's Fables: A New Translation
    Aesop's Fables: A New Translation Aesop
  4. Capital: Volume 2: A Critique of Political Economy
    Capital: Volume 2: A Critique of Political Economy Karl Marx
  5. Why Religion Went Obsolete: The Demise of Traditional Faith in America
    Why Religion Went Obsolete: The Demise of Traditional Faith in America Christian Smith
  6. The Letters of Pliny the Younger
    The Letters of Pliny the Younger Pliny the Younger
  7. Embracing Autonomy: Latin American–US Relations in the Twenty-First Century
    Embracing Autonomy: Latin American–US Relations in the Twenty-First Century Gregory Weeks
  8. The Magna Carta of Humanity: Sinai’s Revolutionary Faith and the Future of Freedom
    The Magna Carta of Humanity: Sinai’s Revolutionary Faith and the Future of Freedom Os Guinness
  9. The People Versus Socialism: A Ten Count Indictment for Crimes Against Humanity
    The People Versus Socialism: A Ten Count Indictment for Crimes Against Humanity Stephen A. Smoot
  10. Explorers: A New History
    Explorers: A New History Matthew Lockwood
  11. The Shortest History of Eugenics: From “Science” to Atrocity―How a Dangerous Movement Shaped the World, and Why It Persists
    The Shortest History of Eugenics: From “Science” to Atrocity―How a Dangerous Movement Shaped the World, and Why It Persists Erik L. Peterson
  12. Liberal White Supremacy: How Progressives Silence Racial and Class Oppression
    Liberal White Supremacy: How Progressives Silence Racial and Class Oppression Angie Beeman
  13. Popular Works Volume 1: The Vocation of the Scholar, The Nature of the Scholar and The Vocation of Man
    Popular Works Volume 1: The Vocation of the Scholar, The Nature of the Scholar and The Vocation of Man Johann Gottlieb Fitche
  14. The Fasting Cure
    The Fasting Cure Upton Sinclair
  15. The Plot to Save South Africa: The Week Mandela Averted Civil War and Forged a New Nation
    The Plot to Save South Africa: The Week Mandela Averted Civil War and Forged a New Nation Justice Malala
  16. In Search of the River Jordan: A Story of Palestine, Israel and the Struggle for Water
    In Search of the River Jordan: A Story of Palestine, Israel and the Struggle for Water James Fergusson
  17. The Communist Experiment: Historical Insights in Communist States and Their Legacy
    The Communist Experiment: Historical Insights in Communist States and Their Legacy Arlo Holders
  18. A Treatise of Human Nature Book 2
    A Treatise of Human Nature Book 2 David Hume
  19. A Traveller's History of Croatia
    A Traveller's History of Croatia Benjamin Curtis
  20. What Universities Owe Democracy
    What Universities Owe Democracy Ronald J. Daniels
  21. Underwriters of the United States: How Insurance Shaped the American Founding
    Underwriters of the United States: How Insurance Shaped the American Founding Hannah Farber
  22. How to Think about War: An Ancient Guide to Foreign Policy
    How to Think about War: An Ancient Guide to Foreign Policy Thucydides
  23. Policing Gun Violence: Strategic Reforms for Controlling Our Most Pressing Crime Problem
    Policing Gun Violence: Strategic Reforms for Controlling Our Most Pressing Crime Problem Philip J. Cook
  24. Ancient Christianities: The First Five Hundred Years
    Ancient Christianities: The First Five Hundred Years Paula Fredriksen
  25. London Journal
    London Journal James Boswell
  26. The Sea and the Jungle
    The Sea and the Jungle H.M. Tomlinson
  27. The American Nation: A History, Vol. 5: Colonial Self-Government, 1652–1689
    The American Nation: A History, Vol. 5: Colonial Self-Government, 1652–1689 Charles Mclean Andrews
  28. Michael Oakeshott as a Philosopher of the "Creative", and Other Essays
    Michael Oakeshott as a Philosopher of the "Creative", and Other Essays Wendell John Coats Jr.
  29. Small but Important Riots: The Cavalry Battles of Aldie, Middleburg, and Upperville
    Small but Important Riots: The Cavalry Battles of Aldie, Middleburg, and Upperville Robert F. O’Neill
  30. Jesus through Medieval Eyes: Beholding Christ with the Artists, Mystics, and Theologians of the Middle Ages
    Jesus through Medieval Eyes: Beholding Christ with the Artists, Mystics, and Theologians of the Middle Ages Grace Hamman
  31. Enlightenment Philosophy in a Nutshell: The Complete Guide to the Great Revolutionary Philosophers
    Enlightenment Philosophy in a Nutshell: The Complete Guide to the Great Revolutionary Philosophers Jane O'Grady
  32. On the Soul & Parva Naturalia
    On the Soul & Parva Naturalia Aristotle
  33. In Search of Meadowlarks: Birds, Farms, and Food in Harmony with the Land
    In Search of Meadowlarks: Birds, Farms, and Food in Harmony with the Land John M. Marzluff
  34. The Rivalry Peril: How Great-Power Competition Threatens Peace and Weakens Democracy
    The Rivalry Peril: How Great-Power Competition Threatens Peace and Weakens Democracy Van Jackson
  35. Tesla: Wizard at War: The Genius, the Particle Beam Weapon, and the Pursuit of Power
    Tesla: Wizard at War: The Genius, the Particle Beam Weapon, and the Pursuit of Power Marc J. Seifer
  36. Capitalism and Global Power: The Role of Capitalism in Shaping Global Relations (3 in 1)
    Capitalism and Global Power: The Role of Capitalism in Shaping Global Relations (3 in 1) Arlo Holders
  37. Planned Obsolescence: A Manuscript of Life
    Planned Obsolescence: A Manuscript of Life Lorin Brandon
  38. Cultural Christians in the Early Church: A Historical and Practical Introduction to Christians in the Greco-Roman World
    Cultural Christians in the Early Church: A Historical and Practical Introduction to Christians in the Greco-Roman World Nadya Williams
  39. Samuel Adams: A Life
    Samuel Adams: A Life Ira Stoll
  40. The Catholic Reformation: A Very Short Introduction
    The Catholic Reformation: A Very Short Introduction James E. Kelly
  41. A New History of the American South
    A New History of the American South
  42. In Defense of Liberal Democracy: What We Need to Do to Heal a Divided America
    In Defense of Liberal Democracy: What We Need to Do to Heal a Divided America Manuel Hinds
  43. Louis D. Brandeis: American Prophet
    Louis D. Brandeis: American Prophet Jeffrey Rosen
  44. The Brass Bottle
    The Brass Bottle F. Anstey
  45. Surveillance: A Very Short Introduction
    Surveillance: A Very Short Introduction David Lyon
  46. States of Neglect: How Red-State Leaders Have Failed Their Citizens and Undermined America
    States of Neglect: How Red-State Leaders Have Failed Their Citizens and Undermined America William Kleinknecht
  47. The Tin Ticket: The Heroic Journey of Australia's Convict Women
    The Tin Ticket: The Heroic Journey of Australia's Convict Women Deborah J. Swiss
  48. In the Shadow of Our Ancestors
    In the Shadow of Our Ancestors Wayne Arthurson
  49. Leonardo da Vinci: An Untraceable Life
    Leonardo da Vinci: An Untraceable Life Stephen J. Campbell
  50. The Profits of Religion: An Essay in Economic Interpretation
    The Profits of Religion: An Essay in Economic Interpretation Upton Sinclair
  51. An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals
    An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals David Hume
  52. The Epic Creation Myths of Indigenous America
    The Epic Creation Myths of Indigenous America NORAH ROMNEY
  53. Capitalism and Its Impact: The Growth and Consequences of Capitalist Systems (5 in 1)
    Capitalism and Its Impact: The Growth and Consequences of Capitalist Systems (5 in 1) Arlo Holders
  54. The Once and Future Worker: A Vision for the Renewal of Work in America
    The Once and Future Worker: A Vision for the Renewal of Work in America Oren Cass
  55. Chocolate City: A History of Race and Democracy in the Nation's Capital
    Chocolate City: A History of Race and Democracy in the Nation's Capital George Derek Musgrove
  56. Down to Earth: How Jesus' Stories Can Change Your Everyday Life
    Down to Earth: How Jesus' Stories Can Change Your Everyday Life Tom Hughes
  57. The Harlan Ellison Hornbook and Other Works
    The Harlan Ellison Hornbook and Other Works Harlan Ellison
  58. Remaking the World: Decolonization and the Cold War
    Remaking the World: Decolonization and the Cold War Jessica M. Chapman
  59. One From the Many: The Global Economy Since 1850
    One From the Many: The Global Economy Since 1850 Christopher M. Meissner
  60. Celebritocracy: The Misguided Agenda of Celebrity Politics in a Postmodern Democracy
    Celebritocracy: The Misguided Agenda of Celebrity Politics in a Postmodern Democracy Cooper Lawrence, PhD
  61. This Land Is Our Land: The Struggle for a New Commonwealth
    This Land Is Our Land: The Struggle for a New Commonwealth Jedediah Purdy
  62. The Cloud of Unknowing
    The Cloud of Unknowing Anonymous
  63. The Job: An American Novel
    The Job: An American Novel Sinclair Lewis
  64. A Treatise of Human Nature Book 3
    A Treatise of Human Nature Book 3 David Hume
  65. Resistance to Imperialism: How Colonized Nations Fought for Independence and Sovereignty
    Resistance to Imperialism: How Colonized Nations Fought for Independence and Sovereignty Arlo Holders
  66. The Confederate and Neo-Confederate Reader: The "Great Truth" about the "Lost Cause"
    The Confederate and Neo-Confederate Reader: The "Great Truth" about the "Lost Cause" James W. Loewen
  67. Montesquieu: The Spirit of Laws Revisited
    Montesquieu: The Spirit of Laws Revisited Hector Davidson
  68. New Stories From the South 2004: The Year's Best, 2004
    New Stories From the South 2004: The Year's Best, 2004 Shannon Ravenel
  69. Persia and Islam: The History of the Islamic Empires that have Ruled Persia Since the Middle Ages
    Persia and Islam: The History of the Islamic Empires that have Ruled Persia Since the Middle Ages Charles River Editors
  70. The Socratic Dialogues: Late Period: Volume 2: The Laws
    The Socratic Dialogues: Late Period: Volume 2: The Laws Plato
  71. Populism and Democracy: Examining the Intersection of Populism and Democratic Systems (3 in 1)
    Populism and Democracy: Examining the Intersection of Populism and Democratic Systems (3 in 1) Arlo Holders
  72. Lottocracy: Democracy Without Elections
    Lottocracy: Democracy Without Elections Alexander Guerrero
  73. Capital: Volume 3: A Critique of Political Economy
    Capital: Volume 3: A Critique of Political Economy Karl Marx
  74. American Apartheid: Segregation and the Making of the Underclass
    American Apartheid: Segregation and the Making of the Underclass Nancy A. Denton
  75. Sartor Resartus
    Sartor Resartus Thomas Carlyle
  76. The Essays: Or Counsels Civil and Moral
    The Essays: Or Counsels Civil and Moral Francis Bacon
  77. Offences Against Oneself and An Open Letter
    Offences Against Oneself and An Open Letter Jeremy Bentham
  78. The Rhetoric of Outrage: Why Social Media Is Making Us Angry
    The Rhetoric of Outrage: Why Social Media Is Making Us Angry Jeff Rice
  79. Gettysburg's Southern Front: Opportunity and Failure at Richmond
    Gettysburg's Southern Front: Opportunity and Failure at Richmond Hampton Newsome
  80. Smashing Statues: The Rise and Fall of America's Public Monuments
    Smashing Statues: The Rise and Fall of America's Public Monuments Erin Thompson
  81. The American Nation: A History, Vol. 10: The Confederation and the Constitution, 1783–1789
    The American Nation: A History, Vol. 10: The Confederation and the Constitution, 1783–1789 Albert Bushnell Hart
  82. The Liberal Invasion of Red State America
    The Liberal Invasion of Red State America Kristin B. Tate
  83. The No-State Solution: A Jewish Manifesto
    The No-State Solution: A Jewish Manifesto Daniel Boyarin
  84. When Washington Burned: The British Invasion of the Capital and a Nation's Rise from the Ashes
    When Washington Burned: The British Invasion of the Capital and a Nation's Rise from the Ashes Robert P. Watson
  85. How the Left Can Win Arguments and Influence People: A Tactical Manual for Pragmatic Progressives
    How the Left Can Win Arguments and Influence People: A Tactical Manual for Pragmatic Progressives John K Wilson
  86. Constitutional Chaos: What Happens When the Government Breaks Its Own Laws
    Constitutional Chaos: What Happens When the Government Breaks Its Own Laws Andrew P. Napolitano

Start with these

View all titles
  1. The Tenant
    The Tenant Freida McFadden
    3.9
  2. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
    Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone J.K. Rowling
    4.7
  3. My Weird School Special: Fright Night!
    My Weird School Special: Fright Night! Dan Gutman
    4.8
  4. The Serpent and the Wings of Night: Crowns of Nyaxia, Book 1
    The Serpent and the Wings of Night: Crowns of Nyaxia, Book 1 Carissa Broadbent
    4.3
  5. Shield of Sparrows
    Shield of Sparrows Devney Perry
    4.5
  6. 弟弟不要怕
    弟弟不要怕 小邝
    5
  7. The Hunger Games
    The Hunger Games Suzanne Collins
    4.7
  8. The Housemaid: An absolutely addictive psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist
    The Housemaid: An absolutely addictive psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping twist Freida McFadden
    4.2
  9. Twisted Love
    Twisted Love Ana Huang
    3.7
  10. Quicksilver: The Fae & Alchemy Series, Book 1
    Quicksilver: The Fae & Alchemy Series, Book 1 Callie Hart
    4.4
  11. A Court of Thorns and Roses (1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation]: A Court of Thorns and Roses 1
    A Court of Thorns and Roses (1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation]: A Court of Thorns and Roses 1 Sarah J. Maas
    4.3
  12. From Blood and Ash (1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation]: Blood and Ash 1
    From Blood and Ash (1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation]: Blood and Ash 1 Jennifer L. Armentrout
    4.3
  13. Never Lie
    Never Lie Freida McFadden
    3.9
  14. Fourth Wing
    Fourth Wing Rebecca Yarros
    4.6
  15. Fourth Wing (2 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation]: The Empyrean 1
    Fourth Wing (2 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation]: The Empyrean 1 Rebecca Yarros
    4.8

Features:

  • Over 950 000 titles

  • Kids Mode (child safe environment)

  • Download books for offline access

  • Cancel anytime

Most popular

Unlimited

For those who want to listen and read without limits.

S$12.98 /month

3 days free

  • Unlimited listening

  • Cancel anytime

Try now

Unlimited Bi-yearly

For those who want to listen and read without limits.

S$69 /6 months

14 days free
Save 11%

  • Unlimited listening

  • Cancel anytime

Try now

Unlimited Yearly

For those who want to listen and read without limits.

S$119 /year

14 days free
Save 24%

  • Unlimited listening

  • Cancel anytime

Try now

Family

For those who want to share stories with family and friends.

Starting at S$14.90 /month

  • Unlimited listening

  • Cancel anytime

You + 1 family member2 accounts

S$14.90 /month

Try now
Company
Explore
Useful links
Language and region

  • English

  • Singapore

  • app_store_button
  • google_play_button
Follow us