I'll Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse

I recently finished I'll Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse by Micheal Franzese for the Thomas Nelson BRB project. What can I say, being from New Jersey how could I refuse the opportunity to review a business book written by an ex-mobster.

I actually listened to the book instead of reading it because it was published under the Nelsonfree imprint (and I spent six hours in the car last weekend). More on that here.

In I'll Make You An Offer, Franzese effectively relates extremely practical business and leadership lessons learned through his life in the mob, using engaging stories and cautionary tales, all without glorifying the life of crime he led. In fact, in contrast to all the get rich quick schemes that fill the business shelves today, Franzese was refreshingly straight forward about the consequences of taking shortcuts in business or life.

Unlike most business and leadership books on the best seller list there were no quick fixes offered or 10 step processes to follow. Instead Franzese focuses on the hard work and dedication required to prepare you for success. Rather than quoting Welch, Gates, Buffet, Jobs or any other modern day business titan, Franzese reaches much further back for his business and leadership wisdom.

Listening to Franzese compare and contrast Solomon with Machiavelli causes you to see these men in a different light and think outside the box regarding where you look for leadership lessons.

If you like to be entertained while you learn, I'll Make You An Offer You Can't Refuse is worth the read (or listen).