Even if you disagree with Hobbes's thesis, his book is worth reading for its own sake: the prose is beautiful, and Hobbes's step by step description of how people form a personal, and then a political consciousness, is exquisite.
Yes, I would strongly agree that Hobbes' Leviathan is worth reading for its own sake but also it's an aboulte must if one is interested in or studying Western philosophy as it holds a key place in the canon of philosophical works.
In my view the Leviathan is an accessible work even for those who've never previously studied other philosophical works, and as you say, its prose is beautiful. Also, I find the way Hobbes lays out his thinking quite logical and the order of his chapters reflect that.
As others have mentioned, the Leviathan was written at the height of the English Civil War. The state of unrest no doubt forced Hobbes to examine a broader more expansive view of the world - of law, politics and affairs of state than he may otherwise would have in more peaceful times.
It seems to me that one should be familiar with the Leviathan before moving onto say John Locke and other Enlightenment thinkers.
