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

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 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.

This book is not at all what I was expecting. This is a very good book. The "Insider Business Tips from a Former Mob Boss" are totally different than what I expected to read about. I thought it would be one-liners with some short paragraphs but the message is there and it is complete. Michael Franzese is able to take his experiences and give you insightful tips on how to expand your business. In this book, Michael Franzese begins by detailing out his credentials and his story. He doesn't go completely in depth into his mob live, as he covered that in his previous books. As you read (at least for me) he causes you to think about how you do and deal with your life, job, friends, and yourself. After each chapter he has some "Get the Message" statements and questions that summarizes the chapter and solidifies the main points of each chapter. He also writes about following a philosopher: Machiavelli (Prince) or Solomon (King), and making sure you have the right idea about success. He followed Machiavelli in his ways to succeed in his gas business. He also says that successful companies follow Machiavelli... Henry Ford and La Cosa Nostra (Mafia) are examples of it. He says that the Machiavellian philosophy for life is seriously flawed. It has elements that are true and pragmatic. That's the bait in the trap. But it creates an atmosphere of deceit, mistrust, and treachery--a place where fear masquerades as loyalty. Eventually, any group of people that adheres to such a philosophy will destroy itself from within. You create fear and that is the way other will defeat you by making themselves be more feared. One of the rules he followed was to swallow all the small companies around that were his competition. The one tenant he says to make sure you follow is to pay your taxes. That is how he was defeated, just like Al Capone. I was surprised to see how much Franzese despises gambling. He writes about gambling, not from a moral perspective, but from a business (economics) perspective. It can and will destroy your business. He explains how gambling can cause your employees to embezzle time which equates to money, and how stopping the gambling habit can cost you even more. It destroys families, personal and work. The example he uses in this book talks about a relatively small business whose employees wasted $1.5M once the hours used at work for gambling were computed. I highly recommend this book to everyone. If you are in business then it gives you a good insight on how to deal with your own business. Students can use this book to learn what real life is going to be. I really like that at the end of each chapter, Franzese has a section called GET THE MESSAGE, which summarizes the message in each chapter. The words are clear and to the point. I am planning on reading this book more than once. A fantastic feature with is book sis the "NELSON FREE" book. It allows you to download a searchable E-Book and a MP3 Audio book of this title. You can read it har

As a college student taking Business courses in College and with today's business climate this is a great book to read and think about. These "Insider Business Tips from a Former Mob Boss" are totally different then what I expected to read about. I figured it would be a few quips and snazzy quotes and alot of filler. Boy was I wrong... yes there were the quips, snazzy quotes, but the meat of the book -- was a high quality meal. It is a look at the business views and teachings of Machiavelli v.s. those of Solomon. And how those can effect and play out in life and business. With alot of stories from his life Michael Franzese fleshes both of these Idologies out. As you read (at least for me) he causes you to think about how you do and deal with your life, job, friends, and yourself. After each chapter he has some "Get the Message" statements and questions the summarize the chapter. A quick refesher of the main points "The message" of the chapter. Here are some of the questions he asks us to answer.... A.K.A - "Final Exam Time" 1. Do you believe that a soild bottom line is justified bt whatever means are used to attain it? 2. Do you believe that situations arise in business that justify employing dishonest business tactics? 3. In dealing with your competitors, is it acceptable to do whatever is neccessary to gain an advantage, even if it means driving them out of business? Another Great FEATURE is because it is a "NELSON FREE" book you also get to download a searchable E-Book and a MP3 Audio book of this title. This is a great extra -- I have downloaded the mp3 and will be listening to in the car. In the end, seeing the finacial mess our country and world is in and even when we come out of it. I would highly recommend this book to both business men, students, employees, and anyone else. It is truely a book you shouldn't refuse.

Securities fraud, mortgage fraud, and corporate fraud. Pick up a newspaper these days and you can't be sure if you are reading the financial section or the crime beat. In his latest release, former mob boss, Michael Franzese, takes his readers inside the mob to illustrate that in the long run crime doesn't pay, not in the mob and not in the corporate world. In I'll Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse, Mr. Franzese guides readers through the basics of Business 101, mob style. Topics include business planning, hiring, communication, and negotiation. This book is a quick and easy read filled with interesting stories from inside the mob. While Mr. Franzese shares business advice gained from his experience in the mob, he also weaves biblical truth and ethics into his stories. I recommend this book to readers who are interested in developing their business models with a biblical worldview.