Name: The Go-Getter
Rating: 4.4 (375 reviews)
Author: Peter B. Kyne

What’s in it for me? Get inspired by the infectious enthusiasm and can-do attitude of William E. Peck.

Hard work lies at the heart of any grand endeavor – be it a business, a nation, or an individual life. You have to be able to face failure head-on and get back up when hardship brings you to your knees. To paraphrase the great American inventor Thomas Edison, after his numerous failed attempts at constructing a light bulb, “I have not failed – I have simply discovered a thousand ways to not make a light bulb.”

It’s this essence of hard work and good, honest entrepreneurship that permeates the 1921 classic The Go-Getter. The author, Peter B. Kyne, personified these values. Born the son of a hard-working rancher, he went on to become a successful businessman and prolific writer. Written and set in the so-called Roaring Twenties – a prosperous interval between World War I and the Great Depression, when life thrived and businesses flourished – the story is a reflection not only of its time, but also of something pure, strong, and sacred that was beating within the heart of industrial America.

And what does the story of Bill Peck have to offer today, over 100 years later? One could say it has quite a lot. In these indolent times of instant gratification, easy-ways-out, and armchair socialism, too many people want the reward without putting in the effort. Anyone can benefit from the can-do attitude of the war-veteran protagonist.

This Blink will walk you through the entire story, from Bill’s enthusiastic job interview to his hard-earned promotion at Ricks Logging & Lumbering Company. At the end of each section, there’ll be a brief reflection on what themes or lessons the narrative is highlighting.

So, sit up straight, pay attention, and brace yourself for the demanding but optimistic world of The Go-Getter.

Bill Peck applies for a job at Ricks Logging & Lumbering company

The time? Early twentieth century, just after World War I. The place? San Francisco, inside the offices of Ricks Logging & Lumbering company. The discontented owner and founder of this company, Cappy Ricks, is facing a dilemma. A mismanagement issue within the Pacific shipping division has left his company without supervision for a critical delivery to China. He needs to hire someone, and fast.

It’s at this moment that Cappy is informed that a young man has arrived and is asking to speak with the owner personally. This man is Mr. William E. Peck. From the moment Mr. Peck steps into the office, he is enthusiastic, polite, and grateful. He explains that he has come to claim “his job,” and does not expect to be refused – a confidence that intrigues and amuses Cappy.

So, who is this Bill Peck? Apart from his piercing blue eyes, his otherwise ordinary appearance is distinguished by a slight limp and a left arm that has been amputated above the elbow. Cappy correctly surmises that Peck served in the military in the recently concluded war. Despite his disability, Peck cheerfully points out that he still has his head and his right arm, allowing him to think and write – and that’s all that matters.

Peck had previously been turned away by two of Cappy’s other managers. Undeterred, the persistent young veteran decided to go straight to the top, hoping that the owner of the company could overrule them. The nerve! But it’s a nerve that pays off, as Cappy – charmed by Peck’s attitude and tickled by his confidence – offers him a job. But not before warning him that it won’t be easy. He shall get paid not a cent more than he’s worth, Cappy tells Peck, and the company’s general manager, Mr. Skinner – whom Peck meets – will be sure to test his abilities.

After Peck leaves, Skinner immediately voices his concerns to Cappy – insinuating that he only hired Peck because he’s handicapped, and angry that Peck went over the heads of those who denied him the job. To which Cappy replies, “How could I reject a boy who simply would not be rejected?”

This sentiment is reinforced when Cappy encounters Peck in the street later that day. Peck hands him an engraved business card he had prepared for himself – already emblazoned with the logo and name of Ricks Lumber & Logging Company!

ANALYSIS

From the very beginning, Bill Peck’s determined spirit shines through the grim predicament facing the logging company. It’s clear that there is no doubt in his mind as to whether or not he will get the job he’s seeking – he doesn’t take no for an answer, and goes directly to the top.

Contrast this with Peck’s apparent disabilities, and you get one of the story’s first major themes: perseverance in the face of overwhelming adversity. A wounded leg and a missing arm? That’s nothing against the can-do attitude of Mr. William E. Peck! As he declares himself, he still has his head and his right hand.

Which raises the question: What’s your excuse? No matter what life throws at you, or what injustices you face, if you have a good attitude and visualize your success, you can achieve anything.

This is about to be put to the test, as Skinner prepares to throw some challenges Peck’s way.

Early success and an impossible task

So Mr. Peck sets to work, selling timber throughout America under the supervision of Mr. Skinner. During his initial months, he’s sent to Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, sending orders faster than they can be processed. Skinner has no choice but to admit the veteran’s skills and request a raise for him. Upon hearing this, Cappy gives the young man even more – he believes Peck should get a higher salary than the man he replaced.

With the possibility of promotion for Peck on the horizon, Cappy decides to give him a real test. The task? To deliver a blue vase. Sounds straightforward, right?

Getting it done: In pursuit of the blue vase

Mr. William E. Peck stands in front of the shop window. The blue vase – the specific request of Mr. Cappy – is tantalizingly out of reach. Many would give up when faced with such an insurmountable barrier. But giving up is not in Mr. Peck’s vocabulary.

Without missing a beat, he looks at the sign and sees that the name is B. Cohen’s Art Shop. A quick browse through the phone directory at a nearby hotel reveals nineteen B. Cohens throughout the city. He breaks a dollar into five-cent pieces and starts dialing.

The motivation of a go-getter

With the vase secured, and the elaborate plan carried out, Cappy questions Mr. Peck – rightly – on why he didn’t simply give up in the face of overwhelming odds. In response, Peck reveals that quitting would have been disloyal to a man he once admired. Curious to hear the origins of the go-getter, Cappy asks for more information.

The man behind Peck’s motivation was his brigadier in the war. This man lived by a simple motto: It shall be done. No matter the danger or scale of the task, he always met it with the same “Yes, sir, it shall be done.”

Key ideas in The Go-Getter

What is The Go-Getter about?

The Go-Getter (1921) is a motivational short story about a former soldier’s attempts to earn respect and employment from the owner of a logging and lumber company. Through the young man’s can-do attitude and proactive efforts, the story highlights the value of enthusiasm, determination, and perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds.