Customer Reviews

Blood Covenant

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

First off, let me say that a lot of these previous reviewers are missing the point of his story. Blood Covenant is not just about his days as a mobster, but about what how and why he quit the mob in the first place. To explain his reasoning he had to give a detailed look into his background. And he does an excellent job at that. I did some digging and what Franzese says in his book is true according to what was made public. I've seen both Goodfellas and Godfather and Franzese's story puts both those movies to shame because his story is the real deal. If anything, the movies were trying to portray the mafia life; it is not the other way around for those who think that Franzese is a liar.
As for the second part of his book, it does not surprise me that so many people do not understand and accept his explanation of how he came to know Christ and the role God played in his life. By telling you how he came to completely trust in God, Franzese does a good job of creating the message that God forgives EVERYTHING that you do that is not pleasing to him. Because many people do not accept the simple concept of God's grace, so many find this book to be a blow off towards the end. It is the exact opposite. Franzese's book explains God's grace and what it did for him in ways that most pastors and other religious leaders cannot explain. That does not make him a fanatic; it means he is telling the truth...a truth many do not understand and therefore refuse to accept.
Here is my message: if you are looking for an ending that tells how he paid everyone back or how he fell back into the life, then this book is not for you. However, if you are someone who wants to see a true example of God's grace and the way he can use one person to change someone's life while getting the bonus of knowing the insides of the mafia life, I highly recommend this book to you.

If you are into the "Sopranos" or anything that's related to the Mafia, this book is for you. It's a super-charged tale of a man who was a kingpin in one of the five New York City crime families. This slick schemer was raking in millions a week, and then he decided it was time to do something that defied common sense. Want to know what? Then buy this book! You won't want to put it down!

I am just amazed by this story. Michael Franzese was a REAL mobster. And he just walked away from it. I didn't think that was possible! This guy was the real deal, and he has the criminal record to prove it. Tried three times by Rudy Guliani, millions of dollars scammed from the government, and he just walks away-- all because of a girl!!!
The fact that he is still alive today is an amazing testament to his faith. I have learned so much from this book, not only about this life that I knew so little about, but about the ability for one person's life to make such an incredible U-turn. This is a MUST-read!

I just received this book as a Christmas gift, signed by the author, from my family. Though I had never heard of Michael Franzese before, I really enjoyed the book and was so happy that he was able to turn his life around despite belong to what he called "The biggest gang in the world" and even tripping up a few times after accepting JC as his savior. I'm not a religious person, but the biggest message I got out of this book is that it is never too late - no matter what you've done.

Like I said I recently meet and attended a talk given by Michael. He apparently has a speaking ministry too. He gives talks to school teens, churches, clubs and even professional sports teams. Who knows what's in the heart of this man, but some reviewers here claim to know. Too funny, but I can see why people are cautious and I was too. I guess if you are close minded or anti-christian you are threathen by this man's story and life. Why he does not repay the estimated 800 million that he obtained while in the mob is probably because he does not have that much cash now and this was a business that he is no longer a part of. He did do over 8 years in prision for these crimes! I try to look objectively at things and from his speech he seems to regret his former life and the people it hurt. He has a bunch of kids now too and was even regreting the expense of sendin them to college, just like I did with my kids.
This man's story unusal and IS backed up by credible sources and just maybe there are forces at work in our lives that logic and reason don't quite grasp.

This is an amazing account of what can happen if you let God lead your life. Micheal found out the hard way and he is sharing his life story with you so you can go right to the top.

This is a fantastic book! It reads like a fast paced novel but is more incredible as a real life story. His previous life is only outshadowed by the life he now lives. Amazing.

Excellent book. Talks about mostly everything that happened in his life. Way better than what they put out there in the movies. Glad to read the significant changes he went through in life. You get an actual perspective from how the mob really is and what is not true about them in movies.

Just finished reading 'Blood Covenant' by Michael Franzese. Great story about a former capo in the New York Colombo crime family and how he straightend his life out, walked away from his position in the Mafia and lived to tell about it. It 's a compelling, informative and edifying story. Growing up as the son of a one of the Mafia's 'made men,' the author tells of his heartbreak, at the age of 19, at seeing his beloved father sent to prison with a 50-year sentence. From there, to his initiation into the Mafia, to his experience with gangland-style killings, to he and his father's 'sit-down' with the Colombo family bosses; it's a facinating perspective on Mafia culture. It was also interesting to learn about the diversity of the Mafia's business interests, federal prosecutor's 'end justifies the means' philosophy and the life inside a federal penitentiary. Most of all, it was a great story about a bad man and his relationship to a holy and loving God. Similar to the story of the Apostle Paul. If Jesus can redeem a guy like Michael Franzese, then there's hope for the rest of us.

I had never heard of Michael Franzese up until about a month ago. I think I had heard about his infamous father Sony Franzese but really only sketchy information. Then one day while listening to a rock radio station I caught the last five minutes of a lengthy interview with Michael. I heard enough to catch my attention and see him live at The Rock church here in San Diego. I listened to him testify and talk about his mob days and was blown away. I had to read his book. I'm glad I did because it was an amazing story that is much more than a mob story, it is a story about redemption and the power of Jesus. The mob story is fascinating in of itself. Michael tells about all the wrong he did before giving his life to Jesus and believe me he was a mobster. A made man of the mob usually doesn't get out without getting whacked but so far Michael is walking around amongst us. The dirty deeds comprise most of this book and that is what sells books. Franzese does not hit you over the head with constant references to his being another type of soldier now but after reading this story you'll know that is the underlying message that is most important. If telling about life in the mob is the vehicle to reaching people than Franzese's old life is the foundation for doing the real work he was intended for. This is an American story that is absolutely incredible. That a mobster could change so dramatically is amazing. Read this book for a good mob story but don't loose track of the greater story.I hope and pray that Michael continues to reach people everywhere. "When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord....even his enemies live at peace with him." Read this book, it is a great story.