In “Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli,” Mark Seal tells the behind-the-scenes story of how one movie birthed an empire. Drawing on unprecedented access to key players—including Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and Francis Ford Coppola—he takes readers from Mario Puzo’s original novel to the Academy Awards ceremony that made The Godfather Part II a classic. This is indispensable Hollywood history.
For who is this book for ?
If you’re a fan of the mafia genre, or if you’re simply interested in learning more about how some of Hollywood’s greatest films came to be, then “Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli” is a book that you’ll undoubtedly enjoy. Featuring extensive interviews with key players such as Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, Mark Seal’s recounting of The Godfather saga provides readers with unparalleled insights into one of cinema’s most iconic franchises.
Pros :
- The book tells the behind-the-scenes story of how one movie birthed an empire.
- Drawing on unprecedented access to key players, Seal takes readers from Mario Puzo’s original novel to the Academy Awards ceremony that made The Godfather Part II a classic.
- This is indispensable Hollywood history.
Cons :
- The author does not include any sources or citations.
- The book is poorly edited, with many grammatical errors.
- It is written in a tabloid style, which makes it difficult to read and understand.
Learn more about the author
Mark Seal is a contributing editor at Vanity Fair, where he has written about crime, politics, and Hollywood. A two-time National Magazine Award finalist, his work also has appeared in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Esquire (UK), Elle (France), GQ (Germany), and many other publications. He is the author of several books including The Innocents: Murder and Survival in Central America and Hunting Michael Rockefeller.
Reader Reviews
“Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli is a well written and highly informative book about the making of one of America’s greatest movies ever. The author draws on extensive interviews with many of those involved in the production to give an inside look at how it all came together. This is a must read for any fan of The Godfather.”
“In ‘Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli,’ Mark Seal tells the behind-the-scenes story of how one movie birthed an empire. Drawing on unprecedented access to key players—including Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and Francis Ford Coppola—he takes readers from Mario Puzo’s original novel to the Academy Awards ceremony that made The Godfather Part II a classic.”
“Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli is a fabulous book. Author Mark Seal has done an amazing job of research in order to tell the complete story behind one of cinema’s greatest classics – The Godfather Parts I and II. His access to those intimately involved in making both movies – including Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Francis Ford Coppola himself – allows him to tell tales that would otherwise remain untold. This is one essential Hollywood read.”
“Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli is an epic story of Hollywood moviemaking. The author has done an amazing job in providing access to key players and telling the behind-the-scenes story of how one movie birthed an empire. I couldn’t put it down!”
