The Final Chapter Of The Godfather

This is going to be my final blog concerning the book The Godfather, but do not fret for I will be reading a new novel relating to it called The Sicillian. Where we left off last the Corleone family was in turmoil. With Vito Corleone still incapacitated and weak from the gun shot wounds he had recieved, his son Freddy in Las Vegas was recovering, his son Santino dead, and Michael in Sicily there was no true head of the Corleone crime family. Meanwhile during the ongoing turmoil in the family in New York, Michael Corleone was facing his own issues in Sicily. His wife had been killed, and now he was hell bent on revenge. Michael Corleone shortly comes back to America after this incidence, his father deeming it too risky to keep him in hiding there any longer. Once back in New York, Michaels father Don Corleone begins training him to take over the family business and fortify’s a fortress around the homes of his most important family members. During this period of the book you begin to see a change in Michael. He is becoming more and more like his father. He is cunning, intelligent, some would say brilliant, but also fair and equal, never patronizing or harassing. Michael Corleone is transforming into an even better don than his father could ever have imagined. As his training occurs The Corleone family is slowly losing power, they have lost several rackets in their Brooklyn territory, and even on the upper east side, thought to be their strongest grounds for racketeering, the Barzini and Tattaglia family are by far most powerful of the New York crime families now. Many of the other families have lost respect to the Corleone name for not seeking revenge on the murder of Don Corleones son Santino. Little do they know what was brooding in Michaels mind. For two years the Corleones remained dormant until the death of Vito Corleone struck the family. The dons final words were that “Life is beautiful…” as he took his last breath the gears in Michaels brilliant mind were turning, and his masterful plan would soon take action. Michael had logically deduced that his sister Connie’s husband Carlo was the man responsible for setting up the hit on Sonny Corleone. In one swift tactical maneuver Michael Corleone weeded out all the unloyal people in the Corleone crime family while simultaneously pulling the biggest move in New York crime history. In the matter of twenty-four hours the Corleone family assassinated the heads of both the Barzini and Tattaglia crime families. They killed Carlo, the betrayer, and Michael also was able to locate Farraro, the man responsible for the killing of his Sicillian wife Apollonia. Farraro was swiftly and painfully killed, letting him know that his betrayal did not go unnoticed. The Corleones were now the most powerful of all the families in New York now. Michael Corleone, however, had made the executive decision that once his plan had been put into action that it would be unsafe to stay in New York, for the retaliation from the Barzini’s and Tattaglia’s would be menacing. Michael Corleone planned to liquidate all New York assets, allow his previous Capo Regime leaders to form their own families if they wished, and simultaneously moved the entire Corleone crime family to Las Vegas, where they now owned a large amount of multi-purpose high-class hotel-casinos. The Corleones had also funded the making of Johnny Fontanes movies. These movies were a smash hit and more than quadrupled their profits. Johnny Fontane was also now creating his own music again, his voice had healed and was strong again, The Corleone families expansion west had been a great success and a good decision by Michael Corleone. They now had political connections on the west and east coast. They were richer and stronger than ever, and they now had very powerful allies in Las Vegas. To say the least the Corleone don had outdone himself, but until next time that is all for me.

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The Godfather Entry II

Don Vito Corleone

When I last left you in my other blog on the godfather Michael Corleone had just killed Sollozo (Narcotics importer and businessman) and police chief McKluskey. Shortly after this Michael is taken to Italy until the “heat” dies off a little bit. The injured don Vito Corleone is still not healthy and his original heir Michael is hiding in Italy. The dons son Santino (nicknamed Sonny) steps up as the head of the Corleone crime family while he is incapacitated for the time being. Sonny is a ruthless leader, hot headed, emotional, strong, but also very intelligent, but not intelligent enough. Having being very nervous over the possible outbreak of the war situation with the Corleones the other five new york crime families decide to take action against Sonny. They decree that something must be done to stop the bloodshed, and the seeking of vengeance. Once again the family is infiltrated by an unknown source (at this point in the book) and Sonny’s sister Connie Corleone needs Sonny’s help. Sonny is a very loving caring brother and peaceful individual when he is not upset, but when emotional Sonny goes absolutely insane. Connie calls the Corleone home and Sonny answers, Connies husband had beaten her. News of this sends Sonny into a white hot rage, he immediately attempts to travel to Connies home with intent to kill her husband (Carlo Rizzi). On his way to her home he is gunned down in his car while at a toll booth. Meanwhile things in New York seemed to be bubbling in turmoil under the surface, all operations have halted in wait for the response from the Corleone family. And they get one. Don Vito Corleone decides that peace is the only way to end the bloodshed, that widows and fatherless children are not what he wants, not out of vengeance. A massive meeting is held in which many of the most powerful United States mob families attend and Don Corleone makes peace with the Barzini and Tattaglia families. (Who were thought to have ordered the hit on Sonny Corleone). The Don guarenteed HIS peace. But he never stated anything about the next don of the family. Meanwhile Michael Corleone is enjoying his time in Italy, the beautiful landscape, women, and cheery locals satisfied him for the longest of months. His thirst for companionship outside of what he knew in Italy eventually got the best of him. Michael and his companions went on a hike in which he saw the most beautiful girl in the entire world. Michael had been hit by a thunderbolt, as the locals call it. He was madly in love with the girl and had to meet her. Michael Corleone would end up marrying this very same girl, her name was Apollonia, and she was beautiful, a virgin, and the sweetest girl he had ever had the pleasure of meeting. After the wedding of Apollonia and Michael his whereabouts were now made known to the Italian mafioso and they were soon after his life. One of Michael Corleones own body guards betrayed him. He placed a bomb in Michaels car with hopes of killing him, but instead he killed Michaels wife Apollonia. Michael was badly injured and was in a self induced coma for over a week. The mafia of Italy thought he was dead and no further attempts were made. But very little did they know. Meanwhile in New York the Don is making plans for Michaels return. The don plans to train his heir in the ways of the mafioso. Michaels calm, usually impassive personality was drastically changed after the death of his wife. His gaze was cold, and his tongue was bloodthirsty for the betrayor. His intelligence led him to know immediately who was responsible. But Michael Corleone does not make rash decisions, Michael Corleone waited with bated breath for the day he could finally avenge his loving wife.

The Godfather

After the completion of 13 Reasons Why I decided to take on a more old-school classic novel. In this novel I have found The Godfather. The godfather is a brilliantly written tale about the Corleone crime family. At the point where I am in the book it is in transition between books (The book itself is actually compiled into 6 different parts). But in previous parts of the book there are many things that strike as interesting. For one the men in the book are very fair. Much unlike what you would expect from the dreaded “mafioso”, they are very fair and reasonable men. Thus far the book has woven many tales. Most of them pertaining to loyalty to the Corleone crime family. Often in the business of crime you must deal with business and in business cutthroat techniques are often used. Vito Corleone (Or Don Corleone, he is the very infamous godfather), is an honest man. He will do favors for any of his friends, and to him friendship is the most important thing, he does not extort, but is simply given payments out of gratitude for free protection. He is a very powerful man both politically and by pure wealth. He controls the entire olive importation business in new york and is VERY wealthy. When an attempt on the dons life occurs it sends the 5 families of new york, but especially the most powerful Corleone’s into chaos. Sollozo is a man who is a known narcotics importer and distributor. Sollozo offers a deal to the don and the Corleone family about authorizing the importation of poppy, narcotics, heroin, and opium. Don Corleone is a very honorable man, he does not believe in what many would call “dirty” dealing. He controls much of the gambling rackets of new york, as well as prostitution, and business protection (along with his olive importing empire). The don feels that drugs bring much more violence, deception, and chaos than originally exists and declines Sollozo’s offer. Sollozo is a businessman, and without the help of the Corleone family he would be taking a huge risk on continuing the importation of such narcotics without his aid. Sollozo has the backing of the Tattaglia crime family but this is not enough. Sollozo needs the Corleones, and he has been utterly denied. Sollozo as a business man decides to take things into his own hands. He infiltrates the Corleone family through Paul Gatto. Paul Gatto is paid off to give information on the Dons schedule and after this occurs an unsuccessful attempt at the Dons life is made. This causes a near all-out war between the 5 crime families of new york. The way to settle this was concocted by Tom Hagen (family consigliere or second in command), Sonny Corleone, Clemenza, and Michael Corleone. The plan was to strike back against Sollozo and his contacts in the police department through Michael Corleone, by doing so Michael eradicates both Sollozo and the police captain McKluskey. It was the only solution to keep not only the Corleone’s safe, but the strongest of the 5 major crime families.

On another note this book is very graphic, it contains harsh language, drug use, and sexual innuendo. It is very much a boy book. That’s all until I read more thanks alot everyone.

CGB.

13 Reasons Why

I read this book in about two days. The book is a mystery/fiction novel and is a quick read. It appeals mostly to the younger or inexperienced readers and it is very interesting. The tale unwinds in a very unique way, the author uses tapes to describe a young girls suicide and the suicide is her attempt at reaching out to people who hurt her and also the people who helped her and cared about her. The characters in this story start off very bleak and the author uses a past tense/tense to narrate the story from both the perspectives of Hannah Baker (the girl who commits suicide) and Clay Jenson, whose point of view the book is usually taken through. As the tale unwinds you start to see the awful truth about teenagers. The pressures of high school, and how every action and re-action to events can lead a person standing on the edge of the cliff that one step closer, one more reason to do it. Not only is this book very well written and intruiging but it also touches a very sore open wound of society; Why people commit suicide, and any reasons behind it, large and small. The book takes you on an intense, emotional journey through Hannah Bakers life, and shows you how Clay reacts to everything that is going on. In the end you discover a very important truth that seals the story together and makes sense out of the confusing jumble that is 13 Reasons Why. This book is best read all at once, for it can get VERY confusing if you put it down and pick it back up as there are multiple characters narrating it at different parts. I think this book is eye-opening, and it is a definite read for all people. The orientation of the book is very unique and I have yet to read anything like it. Multiple first person narration makes it very unique as previously stated and really gives this book an edge in terms of learning how the different characters react to one another, it creates many interesting twists and turns as well as variations on the characters actions. The book leaves you feeling angry, almost empty and void of emotion, you feel very sorry for both characters and you sympathize with their actions and feelings. 13 Reasons Why will leave you crying at parts, as well as joyful at others. I suggest this book for all ages and both genders. The lesson taught in 13 Reasons Why will leave you pondering it for a very long time. It will leave you thinking how every action you take, every little thing that you do has an impact on someone. It will leave you wondering who, and if you really think deep down you will know. This novel was great and I really enjoyed reading it, a word of caution though, it is not for the weak at heart.

Until next entry I wish you all happy reading!

cgb

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