M: Son of the Century

A Novel

By: Antonio Scurati

Narrated by: Jonathan Oliver

The massive international bestseller—an epic historical novel that chronicles the birth and rise of fascism in Italy, witnessed through the eyes of its founder, the terrifyingly charismatic figure who would become one of the most notorious dictators of the twentieth century, Benito Mussolini.

It is 1919, and the Great War that has ravaged Europe is over. In Italy, the people are exhausted. Tired of the political class. Tired of vague promises, inept moderates, and the agonizing machinations of a democracy that has failed ordinary citizens.

While elite leaders have sat idly by, achieving nothing, one outsider—the director of a small opposition newspaper and a tireless political agitator—is electrifying the masses, promising hope for a demoralized nation hungry for change.

A former socialist leader ousted by his own party, he is a drifter who knows what it is to feel lost. His voice speaks for the misfits and the outcasts; he is a protector of those who are forgotten.

He is Benito Mussolini. And soon Italy—and the world—will be forever remade.

In M: Son of the Century, Antonio Scurati tells the story of fascism from within the mind of its founder, the man known to his followers as Il Duce. Steeped in historical detail and interspersed with period documents and sources, this masterful saga explores the seductive power of nationalism and idolatry, revealing how authoritarianism took hold and a nation bent to the will of one ruthless strongman. Provocative and resonant, M is a chilling reminder that the past is never gone, and that it holds urgent lessons for us today.

©2022 Antonio Scurati (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Great treatment of Italian fascism

Book was overlong--could stand some pruning. Narrator wss excellent. Wish Part II were available. Not to mention Part III.

The Minutiae of Taking Power

The man of Benito Mussolini is more often than not whittled down to a caricature of a loud, oafish, bumbling wannabe. The facts of history look unfavorably on that characterization.

Scurati weaves his tale (the first of three) about the rise of Mussolini, starting with his founding of the Fasci di Combattimento after World War 1, and follows the battle between Fascism and Socialism in postwar Italy through the writings and dialogs of key figures. On one side, Mussolini, and all the colorful cadre of men (and women) who surround him. And on the other side, the men who stood in opposition to him. Through following the minutiae of party rallies, crimes of violence against individuals, and the laying out of parliamentary debates and political conferences, as well as articles from the newspapers of the time, we live the slow but not insignificant growth of Mussolini and of Fascism. And then beyond it to the very day on which Mussolini essentially becomes a Dictator in January 1925.

Scurati’s writing can be very prosaic and poetic. And it adds a very Italian sensibility to the book, and really helps color in the world. But at times it can be a bit distracting. More often than not, it’s personal and up close. If you wanted to truly put a lens on the time and try to decipher how Mussolini came to power, and as such laid the groundwork for authoritarian dictatorship in the 20th century, this book would have everything you need to know.

Absolutely astounding!

Shocking, enlightening, entertaining, frightening and amazingly satisfying.--- a masterful presentation of an historical episode the presentation of which is so well conceived that it makes it almost impossible to put down and leaves one impatiently awaiting the future volumes.

Spellbinding novel

Antonio Scutari’s book is a tour de force. Though it’s a novel seen through the eyes of the fascist Benito Mussolini, among others, the reader feels that he or she is a part of real history. This is the rise Benito Mussolini’s dictatorship and Scutari writers as though he is inside his head. And it’s riveting all the way through. Jonathan Oliver brings his words to life. This is one not to be missed!!

Outstanding historical fiction..

Riveting drama of the improbable rise of Mussolini which is a stark reminder of the selfishness of most politicians regardless of political party, the inertia and docility of most citizens and that ineptitude may not prevent success on politics. The narration was superb and I look forward to the next book in the trilogy…

a different type of novel

I loved this, the language was beautiful, it6 very odd thing to hear horrible acts described in almost poetic prose.

Viva il Squadrismo!

This is, perhaps inadvertently, the best explanation of the rise of the fascist squads and their ultimate betrayal by bourgeois men of the state that I have encountered.

I say “perhaps inadvertently,” because Scurati has given real voice with real aplomb to the local Ras’s and their heroically motivated men. Likewise, his mild contempt for Mussolini seems to stem more from his affection for the intransigent fascists than a love of bourgeois politics or socialism.

Indeed, none of the Capital Letter Isms fare very well in Scurati’s drama, while the street fighters are brutal and honest - opposed to one another at the deepest level; a level far deeper than electoral politics will ever represent.

I wouldn’t recommend M as a way to best get to know il Duce, but an honest listener will come away knowing a lot about the Arditi, Fiume, the ethics of squadrismo, and the maelstrom of post-war Italy.

Champion Hectorer

Did Audible host a hectoring contest and hire the winner to narrate this book? He’s awful. Unrelenting loud declamations. I’m a history fan and had really wanted to like this book due to good reviews of its contents. But I got a migraine after 30 minutes of listening to this narrator. I plan to ask for a refund.

Not what was expected

Just laborious of a story. So you “understand” his early path to gaining power and support but really isn’t that interesting.

Hugh disappointment

The reader is terrible and make the book impossible to listen to. I am a history buff and am sorry to say I found the book a great disappointment and could not listen to it. Listen to the sample before you buy to see if you can tolerate the reader. I feel like I wasted my money.