Hagiography not history

Apparently, this is a bold revisionist version of Mussolini's life. Put another way, the author ignores undeniable facts about the dictator by saying that he wouldn't have remained in power if he hadn't been popular... Would he? Stalin was in power for much longer than Mussolini so, by this writer's yardstick, Stalin was even more popular....
Within the first few chapters Farrell mentions that the very young Benito stabbed two people, was habitually armed with a knife and knuckledusters and lost his virginity by the violent rape of an underage girl. Apparently, this doesn't mean that Mussolini was a psychopath. You cannot be serious.
I didn't know much about Mussolini when I started this book. I still don't: look elsewhere for a measured assessment.