@STUBBS
I think by the time Persico took power (from behind bars, Im pretty sure him and Sonny were locked up at the same time period) Sonny was out of the picture really.
Also, the vacuum Sonny LEFT, is what created the opening for Persico to take over. Sonny was going to be boss if that bank robbery thing doesn't happen.
See I don't think it's correct to say all his power came from his father. Even in his book, Franzese admits his power came from earning, and guys being TOTALLY dependent on the lifestyle he provided. They didn't FEAR FRANZESE,THEY FEARED LOSING THE COMFORTABLE LIFESTYLE HE PROVIDED.
Look how he got started, with car dealerships. Like just making a successful business. Not a sportsbook, or something like that. Even his loan sharking at the flea markets. It wasn't based on force, it was based on the fact that these people needed to refill inventory and arent very cash heavy up front. So just smart business intincts are what made him attractive to the mob, and the fact he kept making more and more money... is what had him moving up. When his father got out of jail, he couldn't even meet with people, and KEPT getting violated. How could he be responsible for Frazese's rackets?
It's like saying Scarof jr. couldn't make a buck without his dad, but he made a TON AFTER his dad got locked up right?
Always appreciate your posts and insight Cabrini! I wasn't implying that Michael Franzese inherited everything from his father. I was saying he wasn't some nobody when he joined the mob, his father was nearly the boss like you said.
Regardless of the falling out Michael and Sonny had for a while, Michael would've had a lot of respect based on his name alone ot of fear and respect for his father. He was a smart guy and made a lot of money, and probably would've been successful without his father's name, but he still had a last name that carried weight.
It'd be the same if his name was Michael Dellacroce and joined the Gambinos in the seventies. He could be the best earner in the world, but he's still going to have a certain level of respect based off of his name alone.
Kudos to him for not coasting on his name and expecting respect out of nothing. Perhaps its not about your name it's what you do with it.
P.S. Which Franzese book do you recommend?
