The Last Don

By: Mario Puzo

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 18 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

The last don is Domenico Clericuzio, a wise and ruthless man who is determined to see his heirs established in legitimate society but whose vision is threatened when secrets from the family's past spark a vicious war between two blood cousins.

This is a mesmerizing tale that takes us inside the equally corrupt worlds of the mob, the movie industry, and the casinos - where beautiful actresses and ruthless hit men are ruled by lust and violence, where sleazy producers and greedy studio heads are drunk with power, where crooked cops and desperate gamblers play dangerous games of betrayal, and where one man controls them all.

©1996 Mario Puzo (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The most entertaining read since The Godfather." ( The New York Times Book Review)
"Skillfully crafted....it gives us Hollywood, Las Vegas, and the mob in one sweet dish." ( Los Angeles Times Book Review)

The Last Don

Great book and story. The reader is also great portraying the story. Can’t wait to read another Mario Puzo book

Not a True Crime Story

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I thought this book was a story of true crime, so I was very confused about who these people were until about half way through. Obviously, I felt rather silly, but it was a good book nonetheless. I would recommend it to any friend who enjoys mafia fiction.

Would you be willing to try another book from Mario Puzo? Why or why not?

Yes. This book was was very different from The Godfather. I'd be inclined to give Mr. Puzo the benefit of the doubt and assume his other works can stand on their own.

Which character – as performed by Joe Barrett – was your favorite?

Athena. Somehow the male author managed to make her sound like a sexy woman. He did a terrific job with all the characters and it would be a pleasure to hear him narrate additional books.

Do you think The Last Don needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I would be OK with that, but only ONE. Tell us what happened with Cross and Athena, Bethany, Rose; that would be nice. Just don't beat it to death.

Good story with strong characters

An enjoyable story and a great voice reading the book. I liked this book a lot.

better then the godfather ?

I thought it was really good I like how it takes place in the present so you can see how the mob operation in modern times

Terrible narration

It takes seconds for the narrator to ruin this reading of one of Puzo’s better novels. A minimum of research would have revealed that the setting for many of the scenes, the Long Island town of Quogue, is not pronounced with a long O. This absolutely destroys the suspension of disbelief for any listener who is actually from the New York area.

It goes downhill from there.

Great book excellent narrator

This was a great listen. The story line kept me interested and the details painted a great picture. The narrator did a fantastic job. I wanted to watch the movie after to see how it did on screen and I honestly can say that the movie doesn’t do the book justice. I won’t watch part 2 since I think they changed the way Mario Puzo wanted the ending to be so I won’t watch it. I don’t want to explain anymore because it will be a spoiler.

Wonderful

Have listened three times over four (?) years. My favorite, no question. My “type “ of novel. Puzo and two of Tom Clancy’s novels…..tops.

Not recommended

There was too much unnecessary detail that dragged the story down. I don’t recommend this book.

Unbelievable, Great.

how can a man, a human being write such a story... Puzo is the best of all time. narration is great. confusing at first, but go with it. in time you'll understand the family business.

Great Book.

What made the experience of listening to The Last Don the most enjoyable?

I had listened to an Abridged version many years ago and I really enjoyed getting the "rest" of the story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Cross of course. No need to ask why, it would not be a good book without him.

Have you listened to any of Joe Barrett’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No this is the first one of his that I've listened to. Unfortunately for him (Joe Barrett) I was expecting the same reader that read the abridged version I had listened to before (Joe Mantegna), and was disappointed in how Barrett read it.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No Not really