This book review was written by Eugene Kernes
“Don Vito Corleone was a man to whom
everybody came for help, and never were they disappointed. He made no empty promises, nor the craven
excuse that his hands were tied by more powerful forces in the world than himself. It was not necessary that he be your friend,
it was not even important that you have no means with which to repay him. Only one thing was required. That you, you yourself, proclaim your
friendship. And then, no matter how poor
or powerless the supplicant, Don Corleone would take that man’s trouble to his
heart. And he would let nothing stand in
the way to a solution of that man’s woe.” – Mario Puzo, Chapter 1, Page 21
“He had been profoundly shocked. What kind of man could destroy an animal
worth six hundred dollars? Without a
word of warning. Without any negotiation
to have the act, its order, countermanded.
The ruthlessness, the sheer disregard for any values, implied a man who
considered himself completely his own law, even his own God. And a man who backed up this kind of will
with the power and cunning that held his own stable security force of no
account.” – Mario Puzo, Chapter 2, Page 72
“ON THE Day after the murder of Sollozzo and Captain
McCluskey, the police captains and lieutenants in every station house in New
York City sent out the word: there would be no more gambling, no more
prostitution, no more deals of any kind until the murderer of Captain McCluskey
was caught. Massive raids began all over
the city. All unlawful business
activities came to a standstill.” – Mario Puzo, Chapter 11, Page 161
Is This An Overview?
This is the story of the Corleone Family, a mafia
group. The group operates as an
alternative form of governance.
Competing with legitimate forms of government in providing public
services such as justice and social stability.
The way the Corleone group operates is by developing friendships,
providing for people in need. Although a
favor from the mafia, would bring justice, the favor would indebt the person to
the mafia. A debt that would need to be
repaid. Everything can be negotiated, as
long as the people involved are reasonable.
Those who cannot be reasoned with, have a shortened life span.
The Corleone group is an Italian group, that operates in New
York. Not just Italian, but
Sicilian. Few are trusted who are not
Sicilian. Vito left Sicily to avoid
being a victim of violence against Vito’s father. Moving to New York, and taking the family
name of Corleone, as a reference to the region where Vito is from. Becoming a person of respect, a Don, to
provide for the family.
Although succession is not hereditary, for the leader, the
Don, would need to earn the respect of those around them. There is an expectation that the next Don
would be of the family. Women are held
to be innocent, kept away from the matters of business. Therefore, the successor would potentially be
one of three sons. Sonny has experience,
strength, and courage, but has a temper that overrides appropriate
decisions. Fred has been dutiful, and
loyal, but lacks the ability to garner respect from other people. Mike has the courage, and leadership ability,
but does not want to partake of the family business.
Although there has been peace between the rival mafia groups
for many years, a war breaks out when the Corleone group does not want to
participate in a specific business.
There was an attempt to take the life of Don Vito. With Vito physically incapacitated, Fed
mentally incapacitated, Sonny takes control and seeks vengeance. Although Mike wanted to stay out of the
family business, Mike wants to defend the father, wants to repay the
father. How does the Corleone family
fight for their interests? Who is to
become the Don?
Caveats?
This book justifies criminal activity, as an alternative to
legitimate but corrupt governance.
Besides the support for criminal activity, there are many behaviors
which had been culturally acceptable during the era. But as culture has changed, seemingly
acceptable behaviors have become inappropriate.
The book shares cultural differences between Sicilians and others,
favoring Sicilians due to shared traumatic experiences. A discrimination, with the acknowledged
associated costs.
