The essay is worthy on its own but the collected anecdotes and insights in the book are definitely worthwhile, especially for newcomers/non-leftists who may not have any opinions about say the history of economics but do almost certainly have some experience of a stupid or useless job. There's a tangible, easy to grasp contradiction in the alleged efficiency of our economic system vs the increased proliferation of these jobs that helps to keep the book persuasive from the jump. I think it's also helped by positing itself as "a theory" rather than a definitive history, something I had trouble swallowing w/r/t Debt.