Hubris Maximus, Faiz Siddiqui
Hubris Maximus, Faiz Siddiqui
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Hubris Maximus
The Shattering of Elon Musk

Author: Faiz Siddiqui

Narrator: André Santana

Unabridged: 10 hr 11 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 04/22/2025


Synopsis

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.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

About Faiz Siddiqui

Faiz Siddiqui is a technology journalist who writes for the Washington Post and has covered companies such as Tesla, Uber and Twitter (now X) for the Business Desk. His reporting has focused on transportation, social media and government transformation, among other issues. His work has been recognized by the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing and he has earned multiple Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence and Hearst Journalism awards. His writing has also appeared in the Boston Globe and NPR.

About André Santana

André Santana is an audiobook narrator on a journey to tell great stories. Brazilian-born and Seattle-raised, he now lives in NYC where he's recorded 150+ titles across genres. In his work, you'll hear a flair for human and connected performances crafted around the voice of the text. André believes that humanity lives inside the heartbreak, comedy, drama, and other dimensions books deliver, and that a great audiobook meets that with intention and artistry. His work has been celebrated with several Earphone awards, Audie nominations, by the Voice Arts Awards, One Voice Awards, and more.As a non-binary and Black narrator, he loves both telling stories that match him and disappearing into new characters across the literary multiverse. Find him in the throws of a coming-of-age novel, on spellbinding fantasy journeys with quirky companions, or in the thick of suburban drama.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Jillian on May 03, 2025

This work of business journalism is equal parts juicy and deeply researched, making it an absolute page-turner. It recounts Elon Musk’s business foibles at Tesla and Twitter/X. The scariest part for me was reading about how dangerous and frankly half-assed Tesla’s Autodrive system is, and how carele......more

Goodreads review by Dona's on May 03, 2025

Finished Reading DNF @ p64 "There is a large graveyard filled with my enemies." —Elon Musk.p8 Pre-Read notes Yikes. Look at that opening quotation and tell me it doesn't make you feel something. For me, it instills wariness and distrust. Who talks about their enemies like this except for people wh......more

Goodreads review by Ula on April 06, 2025

The timing of this release couldn't be better: over the past few months, seemingly everyone is trying to understand what happened to that brilliant genius, Elon Musk, who became famous for his sleek cars and bold dreams. If you haven't followed his path closely, this book will give you plenty of ins......more

Goodreads review by MxLouie on April 15, 2025

This is a very informative and relevant read! Siddiqui did an incredible job laying out Elon's rise and fall of fame, fumbles, controversies, and neurotic narcissism. There is a lot of information in this book but the explanations were always concise. Siddiqui has a wonderful literary voice, leaving......more

Goodreads review by Jazmine on June 03, 2025

this felt like gossiping with a journalist i love it......more


Quotes

“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