Thursday, June 18, 2009

I’ll Make You an Offer You Can’t Refuse: Insider Tips From a Former Mob Boss - by Michael Franzese

This book offers advice to people interested in the area of business, particularly those looking to become an entrepreneur. The author draws on his own personal experience and the experiences of others to comment on what works and what does not in the business world and in life. The book contains eleven chapters, each about 10-15 pages in length. At the end of each chapter, there is a summary of sorts, entitled “Get the Message” wherein the author repeats the main points from that chapter in list format. Throughout the book, Franzese makes comparisons using references to, and quotes from, two historical figures with very different perspectives - Machiavelli and King Solomon. He asserts that people cannot conduct business following both of these examples, but rather they must choose one or the other. Near the end of the book, there is a series of five questions, wherein the reader can test themselves on points addressed earlier in the book, in order to determine if they tend to respond more like Machiavelli or King Solomon.

This book is straight-forward and written in an easy-going style, at a level appropriate for most readers. While I wouldn’t consider it a page-turner, it was certainly readable and applicable to all people, even those not particularly interested in business as a profession. There is a good mix of points made and corresponding examples from the mob life provided, and the connection between the two is easy to understand and does not seem forced or contrived. It’s clear from the beginning that the author believes there is no success apart from working hard, but at the same time, he warns against work becoming your life. What is shared on the issues of integrity and honesty, as well as his advice on the importance of listening and thinking before speaking is beneficial for everyone.

http://www.thomasnelson.dev/consumer/product_detail.asp?sku=0785261842&title=I'll Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse&authors=Michael-Franzese

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