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Hollywood Godfather
- My Life in the Movies and the Mob
- Narrated by: Gianni Russo
- Length: 10 hrs and 25 mins
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Publisher's summary
This program is read by the author and includes a bonus conversation.
The over-the-top memoir of a real-life mobster-turned-actor who helped make The Godfather a reality, and his story of life on the edge between danger and glamour.
Gianni Russo was a handsome 25-year-old mobster with no acting experience when he walked onto the set of The Godfather and entered Hollywood history. He played Carlo Rizzi, the husband of Connie Corleone, who set her brother Sonny - played by James Caan - up for a hit. Russo didn't have to act - he knew the mob inside and out: from his childhood in Little Italy, where Mafia legend Frank Costello took him under his wing, to acting as a messenger for New Orleans mob boss Carlos Marcello during the Kennedy assassination, to having to go on the lam after shooting and killing a member of the Colombian drug cartel in his Vegas club.
Along the way, Russo befriended Frank Sinatra, who became his son's godfather, and Marlon Brando, who mentored his career as an actor after trying to get Francis Ford Coppola to fire him from The Godfather. Russo had passionate affairs with Marilyn Monroe, Liza Minelli, and scores of other celebrities. He went on to star in The Godfather: Parts I and II, Seabiscuit, Any Given Sunday, and Rush Hour 2, among many other films, and also acted as producer on several. Hollywood Godfather is his no-holds-barred account of a life lived on the edge. It is a story filled with violence, glamour, sex - and fun.
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"Gianni Russo walks the walk and talks the talk. What a life. Fascinating. A worthy read." (Robert De Niro)
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- Unabridged
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90 Church is both the unbelievable memoir of one man's confrontation with the dark corners of the human experience and a fascinating window into a little-known time in American history. Learn the story of the agents who make the DEA look like choirboys.
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AMAZING!!!
- By Nick on 03-22-16
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Wanna Bet?
- A Degenerate Gambler's Guide to Living on the Edge
- By: Artie Lange
- Narrated by: Oliver Wyman
- Length: 6 hrs and 32 mins
- Unabridged
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The two-time best-selling author, comedian, actor, and radio icon explains the philosophy that has kept his existence boredom-free since the age of 13 - the love of risk. An avid sports better and frequent card player, Lange believes that the true gambler gets high not from winning, but from the chaotic unknown of betting itself. He recounts some of his favorite moments, many of which haven't involved money at all. In this candid and entertaining memoir, he looks back at the times he's wagered the intangible and priceless things in life: his health, his career, and his relationships.
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who needs Artie (to read)
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By: Artie Lange
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Power & Beauty
- By: Tip "T.I." Harris, David Ritz
- Narrated by: Prentice Onayemi
- Length: 10 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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Hip-hop artist Tip "T.I." Harris has received every acclaim the music world has to offer. Now, working with bestselling celebrity collaborator David Ritz, T.I. applies all his talent and experience to the world of fiction by creating the epic love story of Power and Beauty. After the death of his mother, Charlotte, Paul “Power” Clay allows himself to be guided by Slim, a local businessman. Slim always has the best of everything, and Power is sure that if he learns Slim's ways, he'll make something of himself - and perhaps be worthy of Tanya “Beauty” Long.
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Suprised by T.I.'s story telling skills
- By Dream on 07-11-12
By: Tip "T.I." Harris, and others
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Hardly Knew Her
- By: Laura Lippman
- Narrated by: Linda Emond, Francois Battiste
- Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins
- Unabridged
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Each of these ingenious tales is a gem, sometimes poignant, sometimes humorous, always filled with delightfully unanticipated twists and reversals. For people who have yet to listen to Lippman, get ready to experience the spellbinding power of "one of today's most pleasing storytellers" ( San Diego Union-Tribune). As for longtime devotees of her multiple award-winning novels, you'll discover that you hardly know her.
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I Love Laura Lippman
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By: Laura Lippman
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Remember the Time
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- Narrated by: Neal Ghant, Brad Raymond, Brian Troxell
- Length: 10 hrs and 19 mins
- Unabridged
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Hounded by the tabloid media, driven from his self-made sanctuary at Neverland, Michael Jackson spent his final years moving from city to city, living with his three children in virtual seclusion - a futile attempt to escape a world that wouldn’t leave him alone. During that time, two men served as the singer’s personal security team: Bill Whitfield, a former cop and veteran of the security profession, and Javon Beard, a brash, untested rookie, both single fathers themselves. Stationed at his side nearly 24/7, their job was to see and hear everything that transpired.
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Amazing Book! I didn't feel dirty listening to it
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By: Bill Whitfield, and others
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Son of a Grifter
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In 1988 a troubled young man and his flamboyant mother were arrested for murdering a wealthy widow in her New York City mansion. Suddenly America was transfixed by a pair of real-life film noir characters. The media couldn't get enough of the twisted relationship between Sante Kimes and her 23-year-old son Kenny. But the most chilling story of all was never told - until now. Kent Walker, Sante's elder son, reveals how he survived 40 years of "the Dragon Lady's" very special brand of motherly love and still managed to get away.
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CON PEOPLE AT THEIR WORST!
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Baltimore Blues
- Tess Monaghan, Book 1
- By: Laura Lippman
- Narrated by: Deborah Hazlett
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Unemployed at 29, Tess Monaghan is willing to take any freelance job to pay the rent—including a bit of unorthodox snooping for her rowing buddy, Darryl "Rock" Paxton. In a city where someone is murdered almost every day, attorney Michael Abramowitz's death should be just another statistic. But the slain lawyer's notoriety—and his noontime trysts with Rock's fiancée—make the case front page news...and point to Rock as the likely murderer. But trying to prove her friend's innocence could prove costly to Tess.
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I'm on #8 - This series is almost unique
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By: Laura Lippman
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The Filthy Truth
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In this unapologetic and uncensored autobiography, Andrew Dice Clay is ready to set the record straight. He was the eighties’ answer to Lenny Bruce, with material that stretched the boundaries of decency and good taste to their breaking point, and in turn became the most vilified stand-up comic of all time.
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The Diceman Returns!
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Murder at the Kennedy Center
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Kenneth Ewald has what it takes to win the presidency: the support of his party, a lovely wife, a dynamic campaign. What neither he nor any candidate needs is a corpse. He knows only one man capable of solving a crime, clearing his son, putting his campaign back on track and catching a killer: his best friend Mac Smith. Oddly enough, it was Mac and his dog Rufus who found the body in the first place.
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Truman
- By Barbra on 01-01-08
By: Margaret Truman
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Gangster Squad
- Covert Cops, the Mob, and the Battle for Los Angeles
- By: Paul Lieberman
- Narrated by: Robert Petkoff
- Length: 13 hrs and 55 mins
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Gangster Squad chronicles the true story of the secretive police unit that waged an anything-goes war to drive Mickey Cohen and other hoodlums from Los Angeles after WWII. In 1946, the LAPD launched the Gangster Squad with eight men who met covertly on street corners and slept with Tommy guns under their beds. But for two cops, all that mattered was nailing the strutting gangster Mickey Cohen. Sgt. Jack O’Mara was a square-jawed church usher, Sgt. Jerry Wooters a cynical maverick....
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Nothing Like the movie
- By KEITH on 02-21-13
By: Paul Lieberman
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Road Dog
- Life and Reflections from the Road as a Stand-up Comic
- By: Dov Davidoff
- Narrated by: Dov Davidoff
- Length: 5 hrs and 31 mins
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Road Dog is comedian, actor, and writer, Dov Davidoff's unflinching memoir told through reflections of twelve months on the road. Davidoff travels across the country from college campuses to local theaters doing stand-up comedy and telling it like it is. He's been known to wax poetic about everything from encounters with large fake breasts, to people who have too many kids, to magnum condoms the size of CD cases. He is hilarious and relatable and will have you laughing at yourself in no time.
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dark, real, & exceptional
- By Luis F Rodriguez on 11-22-17
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Above the Law
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- Narrated by: Dick Hill
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In a remote northern California town, a huge task force from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration conducts a raid on the stronghold of one of the biggest drug-dealing rings in the country. During the raid, the infamous, reclusive leader of the ring, Reynaldo Juarez, is shot and killed - despite direct orders from the Attorney General that he is to be taken alive at any cost because of his immense value to the government as a witness in other drug cases.
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Good Book great ending
- By shelley on 04-10-14
By: J.F. Freedman
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What listeners say about Hollywood Godfather
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- JSmith
- 07-23-20
Thank you for sharing your story
Being from Queens NY as a kid I remember hearing the stories of the families in this book and it took me back to a world that for good or bad doesn't exist anymore. There was always a certain respect on the streets that if broken could cost you dearly. But constantly seeing well dressed men have the respect from people on the streets left a lasting impression on me. I say that the days of real men are over and seems like everyone in this new world is soft. Being from NYC you grew up knowing the rules of the streets, there was a kind of order, you could see it everywhere from the local police, the men who hanged off the side of the garage trucks, the teachers in my school. It was a certain mix of fear and respect you could see in everyones eyes. The way people spoke always came off to me as respectful and when seeing a Cadillac or a Lincoln driving around your neighborhood it commanded a respect that you knew something was going on or someone broke the rules and was getting a visit. Thank you again for reminding me that the world I remember as a kid wasn't just in my head.
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- Amazon Customer
- 01-24-20
Very interesting!
Wow what an interesting listen! So much history in there! I highly recommend this one!
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- "Big" Al Cicotte
- 09-03-20
Loved it
couldn't stop listening loved every minute..what a stud biy it its great thank you Gianni
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- Kindle Customer!
- 12-29-19
Fantastic life story, as read by Author
I have heard some of the story's when Mr Russo has been interviewed. WOW what a story.
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- S. Gilmore
- 12-17-20
Super fun
Just felt like I lived The Godfather movie. He is a great storyteller. Well done.
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- Anonymous User
- 03-31-19
Grabbed my attention and held it.
Very good story. Liked that the author narrated it. First hand accounts. Great historical references.
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- Kevin McCarron
- 07-05-21
Eye opener
I loved find out about the ‘Life’ from someone who was heavily involved with the mob, but not in the mob. Mr. Russo’s life reads as one that is most relevant and interesting. His energy and intellect or ‘street smarts’ are admirable. I hope this book helps him with his largest goal to date. Highly recommended.
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- pants
- 04-21-21
What a life!
This guy is incredible!!! He’s led quite the life. Captivating from start to finish. I highly recommend this book.
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- Faith
- 06-13-20
Loved every second
I wouldn’t have minded another 5 hrs of Russo’s story. Incredible stories and authentic narration. Highly recommended.
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- diana christopher
- 03-24-20
GIANNI RUSSO'S LIFE IS A INSPIRATION
To say that II loved this audible is an understatement. I was mesmerized by Gianni's depiction of his journey into a life that is so hard to survive in; the fringe life of the underworld. I too, know New York well. I worked for Toots Shor in the late 70's and many of the men Gianni spoke about I had met or read their obits in the NY newspapers. I feel that Gianni needs a huge blessing now in his life. His children need to step up and contact their Father. Life turns on a dime. This is one man who I would love to hear or read another work from. God Bless Gianni. Great job!.
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