Book 6, Chapter 21 Summary

Michael was born in New York's Hell's Kitchen, ten years after his brother Sonny, five years after Fredo's birth, and just weeks after his father embarked on his life of crime. Vito gained the respect of the neighborhood and became its new crime boss by killing the former, and much-hated, boss Fanucci. The day after Michael's birth, Vito was inspired to enter the olive oil business with his friends Tessio and Clemenza; they would be his salesmen. Around this time Prohibition began, providing another profitable use for their delivery trucks besides olive oil. Riches followed. Michael, who brought such luck into the world with him, became his parents' favorite. Fredo and Sonny didn't react well to being outdone. Fredo made threats about his little brother, and Sonny dragged home a different rival, an orphaned street boy named Tom Hagen. Vito took...