Product Description

1921. A story that tells you how to be one. This book tells the tale of a man who made up his mind what he wanted and how he went about getting that which he desired. It is an intriguing story, well-written and hard to put down.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #45920 in Books
• Published on: 2009-01-26
• Released on: 2009-01-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 48 pages

From Publishers Weekly
Although Kyne's tale of business smarts has been around for some time (it was first published by William Randolph Hearst in 1921), it doesn't feel dated. Indeed, lumber wholesaler Cappy Ricks's situation (he "had more troubles than a hen with ducklings") mirrors that of many business leaders today. It's a straightforward parable about a young war veteran who's handed an opportunity that will either make or break his career. If he accepts the job and pulls it off, he's a go-getter; if he fails, it's curtains. The kid's motto-"It shall be done"-sums up Kyne's point: even if you're unsure, say you can do it. Then figure out how to do it and make sure you succeed. Go above and beyond. The 82-year-old story gets some slight spiffing up by business book writer Axelrod (Everything I Know About Business I Learned from Monopoly), and the afterword is especially helpful in pinpointing Kyne's main ideas.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
A native of San Francisco, Peter B. Kyne was a prolific screenwriter and the author of the 1920 bestseller Kindred of the Dust. His stories of Cappy Ricks and the Rick's Logging & Lumbering Company were serialized in The Saturday Evening
Post and William Randolph Hearst's Cosmopolitan magazine. He died in 1957. Historian Alan Axelrod is the author of the business bestsellers Patton on Leadership and Elizabeth I, CEO. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
From The Go-Getter: "Well," Cappy said, "I suppose I'll have to cast about for his successor. I think Bill Peck has some of the earmarks of a good manager for our Shanghai office, but I'll have to test him a little further." He looked up humorously at Mr. Skinner. "Skinner, my dear boy," he continued, "I'm going to have him deliver a blue vase."

Mr. Skinner's cold features actually glowed. "Well, tip the chief of police and the proprietor of the store off this time and save yourself some money," he warned Cappy. "I don't envy Mr. Peck, and I have every hope that he'll give you less of a tangle than Matt Peasley and I did." He walked to the window and looked down into California Street. He continued to smile.

"Yes," Cappy continued dreamily, "You'll agree with me, Skinner, that if he delivers the blue vase he'll have proven himself ready to take over all our business in Asia?"

"I'll say he will."

Promptly at one'clock the following day, Bill Peck reported at the general manager's house.

Customer Reviews

A Timeless Classic, Quick Read, Great Business Short Story
This one needs to be added to every young business person's essential reading list. Though written in the 1920's, it does not feel dated, and its lessons and examples are still applicable today.

The young character in the book, Bill Peck, has just returned from the war and is determined to get a job with the leading lumber company. He displays confidence, and that's the first lesson in the book. He refuses to take no for an answer when rejected by two of the top executives of the company. He takes his case directly to the founder of the company, who is impressed by his determination. Bill's confidence is demonstrated by the fact that he had his business cards printed before he had even spoken to the company.

The second lesson is execution. Bill doesn't just throw out empty promises, but promptly delivers when turned loose in the field. It does not matter that he has been given an inferior, difficult to sell product. He finds a way to make it irresitible to his customers.

Finally, the company's founder decides to give Bill the final test, asking him to "deliver the blue vase." Bill shows his resourcefulness and refusal to quit in fulfilling this quest.

Though you can knock this book out in just one sitting, its lessons will stay with you throughout your career.

One of the top five books I have ever read!!!
There have been times in my life when I was behind the eight ball and I remembered the story of the go-getter. It has gotten me through many a tough situation.

It is not a very long book. If it takes you more than an hour to read, then you have reading problems. However, it is the story that makes the book amazing.

I have read hundreds of books, and I would rank only four or five of them five stars, and this is one of them.

If you want to succeed at something then read this book first. You will not regret it!!!

it's not what you've got, it's what you *do* with it!
It took me a few times to read the first chapter--I kept saying "huh?" (a weird opening) then finally got into it. Some of the best books start this way!

DON'T QUIT IN DISGRACE ACE, FACE THE VASE!

Greg "failing forward on my way to success" Rebuck