Books with author Peter B. Kyne

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Although Kyne's tale of business smarts has been around for some time, it doesn't feel dated. 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. His 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. A book about a go-getter that teaches you to be a go-getter.

For two months Cappy Ricks saw nothing of Bill Peck. That enterprising veteran had been sent out into the Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas territory the moment he had familiarized himself with the numerous details regarding freight rates, weights and the mills he represented, all things which a salesman should be familiar with before he starts out on the road. From Salt Lake City he wired an order for two carloads of larch rustic and in Ogden he managed to inveigle a retail yard with which Mr. Skinner had been trying to do business for years, into sampling a carload of skunk spruce boards, random lengths and grades, at a dollar above the price given him by Skinner. In Arizona he worked up some new business in mining timbers, but it was not until he got into the heart of Texas that Comrade Peck really commenced to demonstrate his selling ability. Standard oil derricks were his specialty and he shot the orders in so fast that Mr. Skinner was forced to wire him for mercy and instruct him to devote his talent to the disposal of cedar shingles and siding, Douglas fir and redwood. Eventually he completed his circle and worked his way home, via Los Angeles, pausing however, in the San Joaquin Valley to sell two more carloads of skunk spruce. When this order was wired in, Mr. Skinner came to Cappy Ricks with the telegram."Well, I must admit Comrade Peck can sell lumber," he announced grudgingly. "He has secured five new accounts and here is an order for two more carloads of skunk spruce. I'll have to raise his salary about the first of the year.- Taken from "The Go-Getter: A Story That Tells You How To Be One" written by Peter B. Kyne

The Go-Getter is Kyne's most famous work, first published by William Randolph Hearst in 1921. The story centers around disabled World War I veteran Bill Peck, a worker who must overcome many obstacles in order to build a successful life for himself. At every turn he is thwarted by life's circumstances and must rely on his own tenacity and wits to see him through. American novelist PETER B. KYNE (1880-1957) was born in San Francisco, California. From early on it was clear that he had a gift for writing, and his time in the army during the Spanish-American War and World War I gave him plenty to write about. Kyne's novels include The Three Godfathers (1913) and Cappy Ricks (1916).

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.

The Valley of the Giants is set on the edge of Humboldt Bay in the fictional town of Sequoia, California. Starting in 1850s, with John Cardigan founding the logging company to build a life for him and his son Bryce, the novel follows the ups and downs of the Cardigan family and the on-going rivalry with Colonel Pennington over logging rights and other business matters. When Bryce Cardigan returns home from the college he finds out that his father's company is in trouble and that Pennington is pushing them out of business. He must try to save the company and screw Colonel Pennington, while juggling a secret relationship with Shirley, Pennington's niece.

"The Go-Getter: A Story that Tells You How to Be One" 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. Though this classic tale of business smarts penned by Peter B. Kyne has been around for some time, it doesn't feel dated at all. A straight-forward parable about a young war veteran who's handed an opportunity that will either make or break his career, "The Go-Getter" mirrors the challenges faced by many business leaders today. The owner of the business, lumber wholesaler Cappy Rick, "had more troubles than a hen with ducklings." Cappy Rick has a tough assignment to dish out, and thinks Bill Peck might be the man for the job. First, however, he gives Peck the "Degree of the Blue Vase," an ultimate test which has only been passed in two out of fifteen tries. If Peck passes the test, he's a go-getter. If he fails, it's curtains. Bill Peck'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. Read this little treasure and you will discover that in all likelihood you are selling yourself short. You'd be amazed at what you can do, by simply deciding that "it shall be done." "The Go-Getter" provides a great insight into what it takes to make our own fortunes. While most workers sit around waiting for a job description, "The Go-Getter" writes his or her own, then exceeds the same. This book offers motivation to look at finding opportunities, ways to make a way, take ownership, show perseverance, maximize the alternatives on hand, respect the instincts of others, and the strongest of all messages, the "it shall be done" attitude.