It is necessary for a prince wishing to hold his own to know how to do wrong, and to make use of it or not according to necessity.

-Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince

Greed. Lies. Corruption. These are the foundational elements of the American Mafia story. Here, the pursuit of power overshadows even the desire for a dollar, and self-interest outweighs the greater good.

It's a world that's foreign to the average American-or is it?

The values of our democracy and those of Mafia culture are separated by a thin line that's quickly disintegrating. No one sees this more clearly than former mob boss Michael Franzese. Born into one of New York's most feared crime families, Michael spent eight years in prison before he walked away from the Mafia for good. Now, he's sharing the undeniable parallels between mobster and politician. In Mafia Democracy, Michael exposes our government for what it's become, revealing the psychology behind the gangster lifestyle and how these ideologies have infiltrated the landscape of American politics. With in-depth investigation and astounding examples, this book is your chance to see politicians through a new lens, hold them accountable, and reclaim the democratic ideals that once united our great nation.

Mob boss Michael Franzese had it all--money, power, prestige. From the time he took a blood oath that bound him body and soul to New York's Colombo crime family, Franzese became a force to be reckoned with in organized crime. Named by Vanity Fair as one of the biggest moneymakers in the mob since Al Capone, he quickly crept into the upper echelon of Mafia authority in this country. By the age of thirty-five, he was the youngest mobster listed on Fortune magazine's survey of the fifty most wealthy and powerful Mafia bosses in America. Then, he did the unthinkable: he quit the mob. Today, Michael is a Christian, finding his own Damascus Road that began with his wife Camille. The story of his conversion is a testament of God's willingness to reach into the heart of any man regardless of their past or the present condition of their lives. In one of the most fascinating books ever written about today's Mafia, Michael reveals the answers to the many mysteries surrounding his incredible life. Find out how and why he did what no one else managed to do--and live. Journey with Michael through a life defined by two blood covenants. The first bound him to the mob. The second set him free.

What can a one-time mob boss teach you about how to run a business? I'll Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse, written by a former member of the Colombo crime family, promises an insider's view of the mob that will change the way you do business forever.

The first thing you'll learn? Get a plan, work it hard, be smart, and surround yourself with people who know how to help you reach your goals--people like Michael Franzese.

At the height of his involvement in the mafia, Franzese ran rackets that earned him millions of dollars every week. After serving his time, Franzese quit the mob and dedicated his life to making a positive impact on the world by sharing what he's learned along the way. Now, he's a consultant who has helped everyone from high-powered executives to small business owners learn how to make the most out of their businesses--and, more importantly, how to do it honestly.

As one of the few who quit the mob and lived to tell his story, Franzese has a unique perspective on how the mafia does business. Packed with hard-won experience, street smarts, and just a pinch of philosophy, I'll Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse shares the professional advice (and the life lessons) that Franzese learned firsthand, including:

• The importance of cutting to the chase
• The value of having a good crew
• How to start learning from your failures
• The danger of bending the rules
• How to come out ahead in your negotiations
• Why you should lead with your brain instead of your mouth
• How to think about real success

Business is business. Let your friend Franzese give you a tip or two about how to run yours better.