Hubris Maximus
The Shattering of Elon Musk
by Faiz Siddiqui
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Pub Date Apr 22 2025 | Archive Date May 06 2025
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Description
The rise, fall, and revival of the Caesar of Silicon Valley.
Elon Musk has cast himself as the savior of humanity, an altruistic force whose fortune is tied to noble pursuits from halting our dependence on fossil fuels to colonizing Mars. Once frequently heralded as a modern-day Edison, Musk has taken up a new place in the public consciousness with his growing desire to disrupt not just the automotive and space industries but the policies that shape our nation, placing him at the center of America’s most complex undertakings in manufacturing, politics, and defense and technology, even as his increasingly erratic personal behavior has raised questions about his stability and judgement.
Musk famously leads his companies from a bully pulpit, eroding guardrails and cutting through red tape whenever possible with little regard for the fallout as long as it serves his larger goals. Many in his orbit have seen their lives upended or their careers throttled by believing in his utopian vision. As the scale of the wagers he makes with his fortune and concerns about his credibility have grown in recent years, he alternately seems to be in complete command or on the verge of a meltdown. Yet in the long run, he has only become wealthier, and now the stakes have risen. Thanks to astute political maneuvering, Musk is no longer limited to gambling with a company’s bottom line or the livelihoods of his workers; he is poised to apply his uncompromising approach to business to the foundational rules and regulations that hold our society together.
At a moment when America’s tech gods are more influential than ever, Hubris Maximus is a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of lionizing magnetic leaders. Washington Post journalist Faiz Siddiqui offers a gripping, detailed portrait of a singularly messy and lucrative period in Musk’s career, as well as a case study in the power of using one’s platform to shape the public narrative in a world that can’t turn away from its screens.
Advance Praise
“Siddiqui blends insightful reporting with prescient analysis to give an authoritative look at one of the world’s most polarizing figures. He captures the ambition of Elon Musk’s innovations while also holding power to account, questioning the societal and cultural impact at the heart of his transformation. In this time, when Musk’s influence is tangible in everything from how information is shared to the race for space colonization, Siddiqui’s work could not be more vital.” —Astead Herndon, host of the New York Times political podcast “The Run-Up”
"Siddiqui dissects the rise and psychological unraveling of one of the most influential and controversial figures of our time. Combining meticulous research with vivid storytelling, he reveals how Musk's bold vision and unchecked ambition transformed industries, reshaped public narratives, and courted chaos. From Tesla’s triumphs to Twitter’s disasters, this gripping book exposes the cost of power without accountability in a world that idolizes innovation." —Bradley Hope, Pulitzer Prize finalist and coauthor of New York Times bestseller Billion Dollar Whale
“An electrifying masterpiece of investigative journalism, offering a riveting deep dive into the rise and fall of Elon Musk, and the definitive account of his transformation from inspirational entrepreneur to a dangerous and polarizing figure. With unmatched clarity and depth, Siddiqui dissects Musk’s power and influence. The book is a gripping cautionary tale and a masterful cultural critique—essential reading for anyone captivated (or confounded) by the most controversial billionaire of our time.” —Taylor Lorenz, Author of Extremely Online and founder of User Magazine
“A timely look at the mercurial billionaire now as well known in politics as in business…A revealing portrait of a man whom, though chaotic in the extreme, the author considers to be ‘inevitable.’” —Kirkus
“[R]evealing debut investigation … the meticulous reportage teases out the complex motivations—and, frequently, folly—behind the entrepreneur’s high-profile power plays. Musk’s critics will find plenty of fodder for their broadsides.” —Publishers Weekly
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781250327178 |
| PRICE | $30.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 336 |
