Mario Puzo's The Godfather remained on The New York Times Best Seller list for 67 weeks and sold over nine million copies in two years.

[2][5] Paramount's Robert Evans relates that, when they met in early 1968, he offered Puzo the $12,500 deal for the 60-page manuscript titled Mafia after the author confided in him that he urgently needed $10,000 to pay off gambling debts.

[6] Leave the Gun, Take the Cannoli begins as Mario Puzo's novel is adapted into a screenplay for Paramount Pictures.

The Italian Mafia, trying to control their depiction in the film, put pressure on the filmmakers.

[7] The Washington Post claims the book has "joyful energy, extensive research and breathless enthusiasm".