Pg. 99: Tom Santopietro's "The Godfather Effect"

This weekend's feature at the Page 99 Test: The Godfather Effect: Changing Hollywood, America, and Me by Tom Santopietro.

About the book, from the publisher:

A brilliant examination of our forty year obsession with the classic film trilogy—and a personal reflection on what it means to be Italian-American

Forty years and one billion dollars in gross box office receipts after the initial release of The Godfather, Francis Ford Coppola’s masterful trilogy continues to fascinate viewers old and new. The Godfather Effect skillfully analyzes the reasons behind this ongoing global phenomenon. Packed with behind-the-scenes anecdotes from all three Godfather films, Tom Santopietro explores the historical origins of the Mob and why they thrived in America, how Italian-Americans are portrayed in the media, and how a saga of murderous gangsters captivated audiences around the globe. Laced with stories about Brando, Pacino, and Sinatra, and interwoven with a funny and poignant memoir about the author’s own experiences growing up with an Italian name in an Anglo world of private schools and country clubs, The Godfather Effect is a book for film lovers, observers of American life, and Italians of all nationalities.

Learn more about the book and author at Tom Santopietro's website.

Writers Read: Tom Santopietro (November 2008).

The Page 99 Test: The Godfather Effect.

--Marshal Zeringue