For those actually interested in learning about Berlusconi and Italy, this book is pretty good:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ZZMBAS/?tag=dedasys-20

By a former corespondent for The Economist in Italy.

I don't really think the Mafia was an integral component of his success though - in some ways that's an easy out for people looking for someone to blame for the whole Berlusconi phenomenon.