The Godfather

More than thirty years ago, a classic was born. A searing novel of the Mafia underworld, The Godfather introduced readers to the first family of American crime fiction, the Corleones, and the powerful legacy of tradition, blood, and honor that was passed on from father to son. With its themes of the seduction of power, the pitfalls of greed, and family allegiance, it resonated with millions of readers across the worldand became the definitive novel of the virile, violent subculture that remains steeped in intrigue, in controversy, and in our collective consciousness. As the director of the iconic Godfather trilogies, Francis Ford Coppola put it, "I always thought of The Godfather as the story of a great king with three sons. The oldest was given his sweet nature and childlike qualities; the second, his passion and aggressiveness; and the third, his cunning and coolness."

Also contained in:

• The Godfather / The Fortunate Pilgrim