The King of Warsaw

In 1937, Poland is a violent, almost savage land for the working class, and anti-Semitism is on the rise. Jakub Szapiro, a Jewish boxer who’s part of the Polish crime underworld, kills the father of 17-year old Mojzesz Bernztajn for failing to pay for protection. From this point the story appears to be narrated by Mojzesz, who follows in Szapiro’s shadow, as a more-or-less son, through Szapiro’s many criminal deeds and actions. Obsessed with power and influence, Szapiro also has a compassionate side, and because of both his athletic strength and his willingness to help people, he enjoys a loyal following and the moniker “King of Warsaw.” Just as readers become accustomed to the adventures of Szapiro as written by Mojzesz, a twist occurs that shows that not everything is as it has been depicted.