The Godfather by Mario Puzo (1969, Hardcover)

World War 2 is finally over. Constanzia Corleone, daughter of Sicilian immigrant and olive oil tycoon Vito Corleone is getting married and her younger brother Mike is finally home from the war in the Pacific. This perfect Italian family harbors a dark secret. Vito Corleone and his sons Santino and Alfredo are leading figures in New York's underworld where Vito is known as "The Black hand", "The Don" and The "Godfather" of a criminal emprie.
This masterful novel chronicles the Corleone family as they use their money, and power to influence the motion picture and recording industries, casinos and even the American justice system. Being a "Friend" of the Corleone family is not without its risks or rewards as evident by the meteoric career resurrection of Sintra-esque Johnny Fontaine and the Corleone family's role in it all. It shows an ugly turf war (initially started over drugs) and it's after effects.
It is a frightening and sometimes funny look at organized crime in America with a rich tapestry of colorful characters who make you feel as if you're a character in this incredible book. The film while a masterpiece only serves to make this incredible literary achievement seem even MORE stellar. This page turner is a MUST read for all bibliophiles.

The copy of The Godfather I purchased was a fairly used book. I love the fact fact that it has coffee stains and dog ears on some pages. It gives the book character. I bought it as a replacement because my grandmother's copy I previously owned was lost during Hurricane Katrina. The only thing I dislike is the fact that needed to buy a replacement.

For those of you that only watched the movie... you missed so much. There is so much more to the characters that is explained in the book. Italian customs, beliefs, what the Family is and what it means. You need to read this book in order to understand the typical mafia family in the 20-40's.

I real;ly liked the movie, but the book (which I read 5 years later was better,.
Now here I am reading it againn you would be amazed at what all you missed the first time around..

Read it,, it's one hell of a book

the godfather created a revolution in thinking. new phrases 'make him an offer he can't refuse', 'reason with him' etc.it has been the favorite story of many leaders including saddam hussain!
i have read it once every ten years.
i wanted a first edition for my library. this is it