They Call Me Korney: The True Story of Buffalo's Korney Gang

by Michael F. Rizzo

Set in Buffalo, New York during Prohibition, this true story revolves around an East Side group of Polish gangsters. Korney Kwiatkowski leads the gang that robs and kills it's way to the front pages of Buffalo newspapers and an ending none expected.

208 pages, Paperback

First published October 6, 2009

About the author

Michael F. Rizzo was born in Buffalo, New York. In the 1990s he produced and wrote a weekly television show, COMX-TV about the busy comic book industry. With his co-host, they interviewed hundreds of comic book creators and attended dozens of conventions.

His first book, Through The Mayors' Eyes, was finished in 1990 but languished for 15 years. He found self-publishing and released the book in 2005. After releasing several more self-published books, he published four books with The History Press.

Rizzo ran Zippy Delivery, a bike messenger courier business, for seven years, then started The Mob Tours, and founded two nonprofits.

In 2013 he and his family moved to the Pacific Northwest. In 2015 Rizzo co-hosted Northwest Brew Talk with his partner.

Following him at https://www.subscribepage.com/g4u1x1

Reviews

[Marcus]

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

This is a true crime/book about one of the Polish gangs during the 1920 era. The facts, circumstances, people, and situations were interesting (to say the least) An interesting book to read and ponder about

[Rachel]

I enjoyed the history lesson and mystery behind the events, but not the writing... I felt the story was scattered/unorganized and very sloppily thrown together with blatant typos.

[Gregory Nerogic]

Important history that is not taught in traditional history books .

Having strong roots and ties to Buffalo's Polish community , I was most interested in reading about the dark underside of the hard-working Polish community in Buffalo ; my grandfather, my mother and her sisters grew up in the shadow of Saint Casmier's Roman Catholic Church on Buffalo's east side community still known as Kaisertown. It is highly likely that they knew of the characters in this book and or traveled in similar circles . A Fun read.

[Justine Janora]

Growing up as a Polish girl from the East Side of Buffalo this book really took me back. Some of the names were familiar as well as the places. I loved the maps and the more people I recommend this book to from Buffalo the more thanks I get for recommending it! I have had several people tell me of their ancestors connection to the book and it has sparked many great conversations!

[Adrienne Smith]

Well written. I found it very interesting.