TB, you're right about Michael's life being a tragedy and the reasons for it. The path he followed was his choice. However, power is intoxicating. Is anyone on this Board familiar with the life of a Mafia Don? I'd say no. Who knows what they think and feel. Does power go to their heads? How different is hteir decision-making different from ours. Many of us think we know what they think and feel and that is the standard against which we in these posts judge Michael's behavior. Of course, he was human; he made choices. His choices were probably made for the same reason that we all make choices; they are based on a combination of emotion and/or objectives. Murdering Fredo was an emotional decision; murdering Sollozzo was pursuant to a practical objective.