You Know You’re From Buffalo If …

You Know You’re From Buffalo If … is a delightful, illustrated romp through this one-of-a-kind city. As Adam Zyglis proves, Buffalo is a place that is proud of who it is and likes nothing better than a good laugh, and often at itself. The cartoons in the book are laugh-out-loud funny, tickling the funny bone on every page.

You Know You’re From Buffalo If … is his love letter to the city, in all its contradictions and resplendent glory. You Know You’re From Buffalo If … is the book he was destined to write.

Five questions with our authors

1. What is it about Buffalo that sets it apart from other American cities?

Buffalo is one of those few American cities with a uniquely strong sense of place and togetherness. Buffalo’s long decline from its height in the early 1900s ironically yielded many of its strengths as it attempts to stabilize and grow again. The hard times fiercely bonded the citizens together and fostered a gratitude for what we did have – our shared culture. The preserved turn-of-the-century architecture, the die-hard sports fandemondium, the food, and the specialness of the people all set Buffalo apart.

2. You've made a career out of poking fun at life and politics in Buffalo. Is it hard to find the humour in a place that you've lived in all your life?

Humor gets many of us through dark times, so Buffalo has always been good at poking fun at itself (but not advisable for outsiders). There are so many absurdities and oddities in Buffalo that make humor easy to mine.

3. What is your favourite thing about Buffalo?

I have to pick just one? Ha. That’s tough; there are too many to choose from … but the thing I would miss the most is the food.

4. What do you think outsiders would find most surprising about your hometown?

Most outsiders have a very dated stereotype of Buffalo that in many ways used to be true. But today Buffalo is a rich and vibrant place.

5. Besides Niagara Falls, where would you take someone who is visiting Buffalo for the first time?

I would definitely drive someone on a downtown architecture tour on the way to a sunset on the waterfront.

Adam Zyglis is first and foremost a hometown boy and as every Buffalonian knows he is the editorial cartoonist for the Buffalo News. He is a Pulitzer Prize winner and his works are syndicated internationally. His cartoons have appeared in magazines, books and newspapers around the world, including The Washington Post, USA Today, Newsweek, The New York Times and Los Angeles Times. He is a proud graduate of the Canisius All College Honors Program, graduating summa cum laude with a degree in Computer Science and Math.

WONDERFUL

"It is pure delight to see Buffalo through the eyes of the renowned political cartoonist Adam Zyglis. He knows the Western New York territory as only a homegrown boy can, and his talent — as this wonderful collection so clearly shows — is as obvious as it is captivating."

Margaret Sullivan former editor Buffalo News, Public Editor of the New York Times and columnist for the Washington Post

BUFFALOVE

"Outside of chicken wings and Bills football, Adam Zyglis is the best face of Buffalo to the world. His drawings pulled in a Pulitzer Prize, but more importantly pulls on your heart, head and sense of humor every week. You Might Be From Buffalo If . . . is his playful homage to his hometown. Perfect for anyone who just wants a healthy dose of Buffalove."

Luke Russert has worked with NBC NIGHTLY NEWS, TODAY, NBCNews.com, and MSNBC. He also was a guest anchor on Andrea Mitchell Reports and Way Too Early.

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