Al Pacino wasn't sure how to approach his role as Michael Corleone in "The Godfather." His solution? Turn to a real life ...

"Blood and the Badge" by Michael Cannell is the tale of two NYPD officers who were paid to provide information and even kill for the Mob.

But such ties are real — and boy, are the tales fascinating ... It seems to me that people cannot get enough books about presidents or mobsters. Cool idea to weave the two together.