Customer Reviews

I'll Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse: Insider Business Tips from a Former Mob Boss (NelsonFree)

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(58)
3 star:		(22)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Its a pretty good book and an easy read at only 155 pages (even though the Amazon site lists this book at 224 pages, where are my other 69 pages?) I enjoyed the mob stories, and I could understand the connection between mob business and honest business. Although the more I think about that last sentence the more I realize that the so called honest business world seems to have a lot more crooks in many of the top jobs. How does that work?

The book has a printed hardcover which I think is superior to a dust jacket. I also liked that I could download a copy of this in e-book format and also in audio book format. I downloaded the first 5 chapters of the audio book and listened to it on my Crackberry Storm while I watched my sons T-ball game. It was my first ever audio book and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lets me multitask, and that's always a good thing.

The book basically tries to say that some mob guys could run successful legitimate businesses. Maybe. I grew up in an Italian family in the Bronx. I have spent many hours in and around "Italian social clubs", and while there were some pretty sharp guys there, very street smart, I do not think they would be that good running a large corporation. The mentality seemed to me to be more about instant gratification and not directed at long term growth. But then again when I look at the headlines of newspapers and see what most of these CEOs are doing, maybe a wiseguy could do at least as good a job? or better?

The final chapter of the book, "pick your philosopher" is a final test. Machiavelli or Solomon? Do you want to crush your enemies at any cost, or do you want to do the right thing with a clear conscience?

I really wanted to like this book more, but I could not take it seriously as a business/motivational book. Its not a great business book, but it is a good, light read after you have read all the other great business books.

I'll admit, I don't read a lot of self-help books and have pretty much avoided the genre entirely. What intrigued me about this book is how the author, a former mob hotshot who got pinched by his bookkeeper, claims he can apply what he learned managing a mob empire to the "legitimate" business world.

On the whole, it works because of the breezy, conversation style of the author, who keeps it light and entertaining with numerous war stories, asides, and bits of advice from King Solomon and Sun Tzu.

If you are looking for simple words of wisdom from someone who has run a huge criminal money-making operation, this is your go-to guide.

Overall this book has a lot of good information about how to be successful in business, unfortunetly you can find it in a lot of business books. What makes this book worth reading is the stories Michael Franzese has to tell about his life in the mob. I would much rather it had been completely about that and left it to me to find the wisdom in how the mob does business. To clarify, he does show what the mob does wrong as well.

I find Michael Franzese an amazing person that I really want to learn more about. To walk away from millions of dollars and a lifestyle that he had been in his who life to go straight is truly remarkable.

Even though this effort wasn't fantastic, I look forward to reading more from this author.

In I'll Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse, Michael Franzese, former capo in the Colombo crime family, shares his insight and wisdom in running and making the most of your business. From the basics, like creating a written business plan, to keeping it legal, Michael offers antidotes and stories that describe how he reached success while a high ranking member of the mob.

But therein lies the problem. There were double standards throughout the book. For example, Michael Franzese tells us to put together a clear, focused, and written business plan. However, not if you are a mobster. A mobster's objective is always to get as much money as possible, as fast as possible, and they prefer not to have paper trails as these can be incriminating. So if Michael Franzese did it the mobster way, without a written plan, why is he telling his readers to do it another way?

The business information contained in the book wasn't particularly unique or fresh. Play it straight, learn to listen, put a lid on greed, don't gamble, and operate with integrity are just some of the significant messages explored in the book, but a lot of the information felt like common sense. Certainly good lessons with moral appeal, but not new, insightful, eye-opening information for most people (perhaps I think too highly of the integrity of the human race?).

One of the best aspects of I'll Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse is its strong message of motivation and encouragement. Michael Franzese devotes an entire chapter to failures. He explains that failure is normal, and that some failure in life is to be expected. But value comes from using the failure as a tool for learning and improving, and the best way to handle failure is to pick yourself up and dust yourself off.

Michael Franzese writes with a strong, wise-guy voice that is easy to read and entertaining, but may not be the business book readers think. He writes, "Life is all about the ingredients." Put in good ingredients and you'll get a good product. I'll Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse is less a lesson in running a business, and more instruction in living a good moral life.

First of all, most of this book is nothing new. You can get dozens of books already existing for business advice, right? So why get this?

Because it's written by a former mob boss. Because it contrasts the wisdom of Solomon to that of Machiavelli. Because it's ethereal in reading, even despite its gruff exterior, and is story wrought with a sad inspiration to be not just a decent businessman, but an exemplary human being.

I can't say how much I loved this book. It's no-nonsense from the get-go, but has so much in it that surprised me. Michael Franzese is a great writer. He's not Shakesphere, but the way he writes is always vivid and entertaining. I can't remember when I had so much fun reading a business book!

Most of the advice is common sense, or repeats what you know already if you've read "all the books". What I liked that was unique, is the emphasis he puts on being a good person. He tells us that Machiavelli's "The Prince" is required Wisy Guy reading material. He contrasts this with the Song of Solomon from the Bible, which he read while incarcerated, and goes on to say, how being a decent and upstanding individual only helps, and indeed flourishes, business efficiency and health.

In short: this book was awesome. Don't pass the chance to read it if you get one!

I enjoyed reading this "quickread" book.

It is true that most lessons found in this work, have already been discussed by P.T.Barnum, Benjamin Franklin and more modern authors. However, the author goes one step further by laying the foundation of business ethic and business principles on the work of two philosophers:

Machiavelli: "Machiavellianism, the use of cunning and deceit in politics or generally".

Solomon: "for attaining wisdom and discipline; understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair".

The author has applied both philosophies at different time of his life and he has achieved extremely different results. He brings a unique perspective to the table. Now, he got me reading The Proverbs of Solomon and the work of Machiavelli.

Overall, I rate the book 3.5 stars. I give 0.5 star to NelsonFree for allowing buyers of a NelsonFree book to get the ebook (for most devices including Kindle) and audio versions of the work at no additionnal cost. Kudos to NelsonFree, this is very convenient!

I usually don't really pay too much attention to who publishes the books I buy, but I will in the future--notably, I'll keep an eye out for Thomas Nelson books with NelsonFree. What is NelsonFree? It basically does what all publishers should do, gives purchasers the choice in how they want to access the material. With the nicely printed hardcover book, you get the option to download an electronic copy (in various eBook formats including PDF) of the book and the audiobook (in unprotected MP3 format) version of the work as well. All without undue complications, restrictions, or other hassles. Way to go Thomas Nelson!

On to the book itself, which is is a refreshing pragmatic quick read, and unlike other books of the genre, doesn't get too wound up in philosophy (despite the endless Machiavelli quotes). All in all, it is what it is, a wise guy's take on business. It never loses that tone or voice, and while there certainly are mob tactics that wouldn't fly in the workplace, it focuses on the universal essentials. Hammering this home are quick bullet point reviews at the end of each chapter.

I suggest going for the MP3 version, as it really read's like dictation, which true to form, sounds better than it reads.

This is a breezy book of business advice on negotiation and management from a guy who "made it" in organized crime. Many of the lessons he learned on "the darkside" are applicable to the straight life. He cornered a major gasolene market in the northeast and swindled millions of tax dollars from the government. You won't find much new buiness wisdom in this title but it is a fun read when words come from a notorious gangster.

As odd as it may sound coming from this source (a mob boss), this book seems like the kind of advice you might get from a parent upon starting a business venture; the kind of advice left out of most business books. There are no short cuts, hard work is more important than luck (or maybe even skill). Mr. Franzese reminds us also that honesty is important, even to people whose business is crime, the more you put into it the more you will take out, the importance of a plan *written or otherwise) to focus you on your goals...and the ultimate goal: to earn money (something which seems to frequently get lost in the dot.com culture).
All in all an easy and enjoyable read and good solid advice for someone starting out (or even wavering in theri will to continue in) business.

I first saw Mr. Franzese when he was a guest on the Great American Panel on Hannity's America. First, I am biased because I'm from NY and we love mob stories - for better or worse.

This one is different because it has bona fide advice that you can use in legitimate business.

I loved the advice on tactical retreats vs. defeats, when to keep your mouth shut, how to think with your head and not your mouth, etc.

While I don't have respect for cheaters and thugs, I do admire those who come clean and repent. We can learn a lot of legitimate advice from this guy.

As a bonus, Thomson Nelson allows you to download an e-book and an audio book. SWEET!

I re-read the book because I think the author makes a great point between which philosophy do you want to follow- Machiavelli or Solomon.