Theory of the Leisure Class, The by Thorstein Veblen (1857 - 1929)

Originally published by the Norwegian-American economist Thorstein Veblen while he was a professor at the University of Chicago in 1898, the Theory of the Leisure Class is considered one of the great works of economics as well as the first detailed critique of consumerism. In the book, Veblen argues that economic life is driven not by notions of utility, but by social vestiges from pre-historic times. (Summary modified from Wikipedia)

Proof-Listeners: Illiterati, Sarah Jennings, mim@can, Ken Sterry and Barry Eads