This is truly an odd book. To be completely honest, I'm not sure what I think of it. I've been stupidly busy with my doctoral reading and so haven't had much of a chance to read anything else. But I promised the Thomas Nelson people I would read and review the book, so I guess I better get something written.This book is a collection of insider business tips from a former mob boss who apparently has become a committed Christian (or at least God follower). For the most part, the book is a comparison of the wisdom of Machiavelli vs. the wisdom of Solomon. While the wisdom shared is generally alright I suppose, I'll confess to being uncomfortable with the idea of Solomon's wisdom shared as "better Mob business tips." The book opens with a rather exalted view of Mob business success, savvy and wisdom. And even though the business tips are thoughtful, I kept asking myself if this was supposedly Solomon giving me advice or a mobster who really misses a great deal of his mob life. It sounds cynical I suppose, but I kept asking myself if Franzese misses his violent, money obsessed, take no prisoners, homeboys. Weird.
Franzese advises us to use our brains more than our mouths. He says we should listen much and speak little. He shares some good, common sense business wisdom supposedly driven by Solomon. I guess there isn't anything particularly wrong with most of what he is saying.
But where is Jesus in this conversation? Where is repentance and humility? Where is any shred of a "chief of sinners," saved by grace perspective I would expect to see in a former Mob boss who has done, literally, God knows what?
This book leaves me feeling weird. Maybe I'm being a picky pastor, but I can't honestly say I would recommend anyone take the time to read this one. Sorry.
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