Being Berlusconi: The Rise and Fall from Cosa Nostra to Bunga Bunga

Description

From Cosa Nostra to Bunga Bunga . . . People the world over are appalled and fascinated in equal measure by the stratospheric political career of the tycoon and three-time Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi. In Being Berlusconi, Michael Day examines the life and crimes of the shameless media mogul. He tells the story of a bright and ambitious man from a lower-middle-class family who shook off his humble origins and rose to become rich and powerful beyond most people's dreams, a multi-billionaire whose Mediaset company remains one of Europe's largest television and cinema conglomerates. Along the way, amid the election victories and business triumphs, he became bogged down by his hubris, egotism and sexual obsessions – and his flagrant disregard for the law. How and why did Italy and Italians put up with him for so long? With the 78-year-old's legal woes ongoing, Being Berlusconi: The Rise and Fall from Cosa Nostra to Bunga Bunga is well-timed to mark the final chapters of a notorious – and astonishing – life and career. 'This is the first book that puts flesh on the caricature that is Silvio Berlusconi, explaining the myths behind the most important man in modern Italian politics and culture.' —Barbie Latza Nadeau, The Daily Beast 'A brilliant dissection of one of Europe's most controversial leaders and a must-read for anybody who wants to know more about the scoundrel that is Silvio Berlusconi.' —Alistair Dawber, The Independent 'Michael Day tackles the key questions at the heart of the Berlusconi phenomenon.' —Eric Sylvers, The Wall Street Journal 'An extraordinary tale' —Adelaide Advertiser