John Patrick Diggins Books

John Patrick Diggins was a professor of history at the City University of New York Graduate Center, authoring more than a dozen books across a wide range of subjects in American intellectual history. His work delves deeply into the intellectual currents that shaped American society, exploring the complex interplay between ideals and realities. Diggins's writing is characterized by its sharp insight and his ability to illuminate less obvious connections within American thought.

Thorstein Veblen
Theorist of the Leisure Class
300 pages
11 hours of reading
4.1(8)Add rating
Thorstein Veblen, an enigmatic figure in American intellectual history, was dismissed by prestigious universities yet recognized by peers as president of the American Economic Association. Known for coining "conspicuous consumption," he remains a largely overlooked social critic from the Progressive Era. This critical biography delves into the complexities of his character and contributions to modern social theory, aiming to clarify his legacy and significance in shaping economic and social thought.
The Proud Decades
400 pages
14 hours of reading
3.7(47)Add rating
Richly instructive. . . . With characteristic cogency and verve John Diggins has painted a memorable portrait of the United States at a triumphant moment in its history.-David M. Kennedy, Stanford University
Mussolini and Fascism
The View from America
554 pages
20 hours of reading
The book explores Mussolini's multifaceted image and the American fascination with him during the 1920s and early '30s. John Diggins analyzes how this ideological phenomenon reflects the darker aspects of American political values and assumptions, revealing the complexities of American attitudes towards foreign leaders and ideologies. Through this examination, the author sheds light on the implications of such fascination for American politics and society during that era.

Thorstein Veblen

The Proud Decades

Mussolini and Fascism