Praise for
The Collectibles
National Awards
2011 Nautilus Silver Award-Fiction
2011 Nautilus Small Press Honor
Finalist—Silver Winner - Bill Fisher Award for Best First Book (Fiction) 2011
Benjamin Franklin Awards
Encore #1 Best Book of 2011
Other Awards and Recognition
Night Owl Reviews Top Pick
Listed in the “Top 20 Novels of 2011” by Debbie Haupt at The Reading Frenzy
Listed in The Kindle Book Review’s Best Kindle Books of 2011
Top Books of 2011 Cyrus Webb’s Conversations Book Club
Awarded “Literary Fiction” Finalist by USA Book News
Awarded “General Fiction” Finalist by USA Book News
Awarded “Best New Fiction” Finalist by USA Book News
Kindle Book Review Pick of the Day
Amazon Literature and Fiction Best Sellers List
Amazon E-book Best Sellers List
Indiereaders.com Top Ten Best Sellers List
Reviews
The Collectibles is an Amazon best seller and currently enjoys a 4.3 star rating with over 190 5-star reviews. Excerpts from a few of these reviews follow:
“I found myself cursing the earth’s rotation one night as (it) meant I had to put the book down until the next day.” 5 Stars —R.C. Bryan
“Well-written, thought provoking, encouragement to be the best one can be in their lifetime.” 5 Stars —Peggy A. Hayden
“ . . . could hardly put it down . . . felt like I was walking with Joe through the whole book.” 5 Stars —Johnnie Wells
“The Collectibles is a must read . . . Mr. Kaufman tells us his mortality tale in his oh so mild mannered way so that no matter who reads it, from whatever walk of life, we all get it. It also makes it easy for his readers to see what a marvelous storyteller he is, and he doesn’t feel the need to shout it, he prefers a whisper. His dialogue is matter of fact, easy to read, and it just works. His words take us from small town America to big city lights, from beautiful seascapes to the casinos in Vegas, and each of these scenes are easily and vividly recounted in the eyes and minds of his readers. His characters, however, are all stars in their own right, and each has his or her own story, and Mr. Kaufman tells them in a way that goes right to the heart and soul of his audience. This is a novel that everyone should and can read, no matter where you are in your life, no matter what the circumstances. Thank you, Mr. Kaufman, for the most enjoyable life lesson I’ve ever experienced.” —Debbie Haupt, 5-Star Pick The Reading Frenzy
“No matter how different we are, there are always factors to unite us. The Collectibles tells of two individuals, Joe Hart, an orphan and blue-collar worker, and Preston Wilson, a man who would never have to work a day in his life if he didn’t want to, and the fear of having to makes him have to cut a bargain with Joe. Joe’s return favor, though, is not one that money can simply solve. The Collectibles is a poignant and thoughtful read, highly recommended.” —Midwest Book Review
“If I could give The Collectibles more than 5 stars, I would! I’m an avid reader and recommend books to my friends and family on a regular basis. I read over 130 books last year and well on my way again this year. This is, by far, my favorite book in a long time. Mr. Kaufman’s book touched me in so many ways. There are many subtle –and some not so subtle—life lessons in this story. I loved the twists and turns and enjoyed being introduced to each character, flaws and all. Joe Hart (perfect name for him) had such a kind and loving heart and demonstrated that all of us have imperfections, but love and acceptance make all the difference. Not to give away the story, but I felt when Preston met the ‘Collectibles,’ his whole attitude towards life and people changed. My lesson from that was that we don’t always realize how our words and deeds impact another person. I couldn’t read this book fast enough but hated to reach the end. The ending had me in tears! I would, and have, recommend this book to many people. I’d love to see a movie result from this story. I hope Mr. Kaufman will continue to enrich our lives with more wonderful stories and other memorable characters.” —DeeNC
“The Collectibles may be the best book I read all year. I laughed. I cried. I questioned. What a wonderful story of a busy businessman come to Jesus! . . . or come to his own senses. The characters are so real you will know the author is writing about people in your own world . . . and the dog is definitely in your world! A nice touch on another of those lawyer-books. I was so shocked at the first pages of the book I had to reread them three times to know what was actually going on . . . and the ending of the book was a real tear jerker in that I was crying so hard I could not see my Kindle to read the words so would grab a tissue and start again. A beautiful book to end or begin your new year . . . and think about what and whom you collect. The ‘Collectibles.’ ” —C. Yates
“The Collectibles presents a life lesson. It is to become involved . . . help people, and not only those ‘Collectibles’ who need help frequently. Everyone can benefit by the lesson taught by Mr. Kaufman’s main character. It is this: thank everyone, at every opportunity, who make up your world. We all need appreciation, but in a different way than the ‘Collectibles.’ Mr. Kaufman shows how to do this by giving us a diverse group of ‘Collectibles’ and the others who appear every day in his life whom he remembers to thank. No wonder Mr. Kaufman’s book is achieving great acclaim! The lesson is so easy to appreciate and to understand. I’m hooked. Thank you, Mr. Kaufman, for writing.” —Jo Ann Bender
“For a debut novel, Mr. Kaufman has outdone himself. This book is nothing short of incredible and extremely heartwarming. I wasn’t too sure about this book when I started it, but when I finished it, I was so glad that I had the opportunity to read this outstanding story . . . It’s not just the main characters that are so well done. Each ‘Collectible’ has his own personality, issues and life. They exemplify many people that most of us shy away from. Yet, each is likeable in his own way, and you become involved in their lives . . . I can’t say enough good things about this story. By the end, I was in tears. It drew me in emotionally and just wouldn’t let me go. I felt as if I knew these characters, and they had become part of my life. Their problems became mine, and their issues were real. I was rooting for Preston to see beyond his life and his realities to become a man that you could be proud to call your friend. With the end of this book, I felt as if I had lost a friend and truly felt as if I, as a person, had gained something.” —Terri, Night Owl Reviews, 5/5 Top Pick
“The Collectibles” by James Kaufman is one of those books that when you start reading it, you do not want to put it down because you want to know how it ends. Even though it’s a novel, the scenes play out in the corporate boardroom every day. It’s often recommended that authors should write about what they know. An attorney and former judge, Kaufman is the founder and CEO of The Kaufman Group where he assists companies worldwide to meet challenges and help them to restructure and subsequently flourish. His knowledge of business makes the scenes realistic and the characters believable . . . The Collectibles is a story about love, loss, wrongdoing, and redemption. We are human, we all make mistakes, but the important thing is to learn from our mistakes and try to correct them when possible. I recommend The Collectibles by James J. Kaufman, and though it’s a work of fiction, it’s also a wonderful business story which will teach you strategies and techniques that you can use in work and life.” —Avil Beckford, Author of Tales of People Who Get It
“The Collectibles is a character driven inspirational tale that makes a case for people to select and help ‘Collectibles.’ The key to this strong message is that each of
the Collectibles contains different personalities and woes. Joe shows first hand by example to Preston that life has no meaning if you fail to, as his uncle said, . . . ‘help the other fella.’ This work is so thought provoking, readers will reflect who their ‘Collector’ is and who their ‘Collectibles’ are.” —Harriet Klausner
“The premise of James J. Kaufman’s enthralling debut The Collectibles largely draws from life’s frailties and the power of human connections. In this regard, touching other people’s lives and changing them for the better plays a significant role throughout this captivating novel, teaching us a valuable lesson or two along the way . . . Drawing from his extensive experience in law, dealings in the world of business, and his interaction with people from diverse backgrounds, Kaufman successfully crafts a tale that is as entertaining as it is inspiring. Not only are the ordinary characters easy to relate to, but also they create extraordinariness right out of their ordinary lives. A thoroughly enjoyable work of modern day fiction, The Collectibles triumphs on all counts. The expertly drawn plot line will hook you right away, and you will find excitement at every turn of the page. Do not miss this one!” —Wordsmith
The
Collectibles
JAMES J.
KAUFMAN
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2011 by James J. Kaufman
All rights reserved.
All rights reserved, including but not limited to the right of reproduction, in whole or in part in any form (audio and/or written or e-published), and under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Reproduction or translation of any part of this work beyond that permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976 without the permission of the copyright owner is unlawful. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including photocopying, electronic, mechanical, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
Downstream Publishing, LLC
1213 Culbreth Drive
Suite 133
Wilmington, NC 28405
[email protected]
®a registered trademark of Downstream Publishing, LLC
FIRST EDITION 2011
SECOND EDITION 2013
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Kaufman, James J.
The collectibles/James J. Kaufman.
ISBN 978-0-9897571-1-9 Hardcover Edition
ISBN 978-0-9897571-0-2 Softcover Edition
ISBN 978-0-9825873-2-4 e-book, First Edition
ISBN 978-0-9897571-2-6 e-book, Second Edition
Publisher’s Cataloging-In-Publication Data
(Prepared by The Donohue Group, Inc.)
Kaufman, James J.
The collectibles / James J. Kaufman. -- 2nd ed.
p. ; cm. -- ([Collectibles trilogy ; bk. 1])
Issued also as an ebook.
ISBN: 978-0-9897571-1-9 (hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0-9897571-0-2 (softcover)
1. Attorney and client--Fiction. 2. Helping behavior--Fiction. 3. Promises--Fiction. I. Title.
PS3611.A846 C65 2013
813/.62013948459
Library of Congress Control Number: 2009940692, First Edition
Library of Congress Control Number: 2013948459, Second Edition
Printed in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
For Patty
In memory of Joseph Kaufman, my father and first doctor, and Robert Hutchins, my friend and second doctor—each a wonderful husband, father, and old-fashioned doctor who cared.
Acknowledgments
First is Patty, for her love, graciousness, keen eye and ear, and for always believing in what I can do. My deep gratitude to my son Jeffrey for his love, critical analysis and input as we discussed ideas for The Collectibles; and to my daughter Kristine for her love, candor, support and patience for my literary enthusiasm.
My appreciation to Jane Hight McMurry for her belief in this story. Many thanks to Anna Contino for her early work on behalf of The Collectibles.
Many close friends – you know who you are – encouraged me in writing The Collectibles, and I thank each of you. I especially thank my dear friends:
•Ann Kalkines – you have been there from day one in connection with this novel. Thank you for your support, input, all of the phone calls, discussions and encouragement – and your unwavering belief in this story, and my ability to write it.
•George Kalkines – for our life-long friendship, your endless generosity and all of your encouragement and input.
•Steve Braff and Marty Braff – for all of your manuscript comments, support and encouragement.
•Diana Holdridge – for your continuing support from early on, as well as your input regarding the manuscript and its revisions and, as always, your encouragement.
•Andy Miller – for your enthusiasm and support in connection with early renditions of this story.
•Paul T. Miller – for your many years of friendship and for teaching me much about the intricacies of the automobile business.
•Dr. Robert Brownlow – for your insights and keen perception, appreciated through the haze of a great cigar on the porch.
I wish to thank Meredith Preston, Harley Sacks, Terry Sacks, Rev. Edward Connett and my dear sister Laurel for taking time to read the manuscript and giving their valuable insights, editorial comments and support.
My gratitude to Joan Lester, from whom I learned valuable writing lessons and Nikki Kalkines for her support and sharing her professional mental health expertise as applied to one of my characters.
My deep appreciation to Linda Rohrbough for taking the time to talk to me, encourage me, teach me and read and edit my book. What a wonderful person and teacher.
I am grateful to Nancy Berland and all the members of her team for their edits of my manuscript, design of the cover (Thanks Jeanne!), understanding, help and guidance. Nancy’s edits taught me the need for and value in revisions. Her efforts clearly made this a better book. I also thank Nancy for referring me to Antoinette Kuritz and Strategies. Antoinette has been a major help on a host of levels in connection with the manuscript, marketing, and distribution.
I also thank Patricia Rasch for her format and book design, and photographer Patricia Ann Roseman. What a team. Your support meant the world to me.
If in the friendship I speak of, one could give to the other, it would be the one who received the benefit who would oblige his friend...
—Montaigne, Of Friendship
Chapter 1: Joe
The words Joe heard that night would define the rest of his life. The wind had finally relinquished its hold on Bald Peak and light was growing scarce, the sun swallowed by the vast acres of Adirondack green forest. The full moon was visible through the tall pines as Howard Buckingham and Joe, his fifteen-year-old nephew, found the protection of a small cove.
Joe and Uncle Howard repeated what they had done for years after a full day of hunting, trapping, and then fishing for their dinner in the fresh mountain streams. They built a makeshift lean-to of fallen trees and branches, braced it against the side of a jagged rock formation and started a small but adequate fire to cook the fish, brew the coffee and, finally, warm them before sleep. Joe treasured times like this when he could have his uncle all to himself, the mountains quiet except for the wind and the occasional wolf’s howl.
“You know what you say sometimes about there being truth up here,” Joe said. “What’s that mean, truth in these mountains?”
Howard was a full-sized man who, when his head was not bent down l
ookin’ for snakes, stood six-foot-five inches tall. He wore hunting pants held up by a two-inch-wide, forty-six-inch leather belt slightly curved at the top and bottom and fastened by an honest brass buckle. Not the fancy rodeo type but a simple brass square with three prongs to pass the leather through and hitch to the holes. His shirt was soft wool with flaps over each breast pocket. Over that he wore a weathered deerskin jacket that hung below his waist and just the tops of bright red socks that Joe’s Aunt Lettie had knitted showing over his high leather boots.
“Well, son, these hills don’t lie. They’re beautiful, but they ain’t forgiving. If you make a mistake up here, you can die. Animals make mistakes and die all the time. Men, too. Only the strong survive, the ones that protect themselves. It ain’t just the animals; you can see it in the fish in the streams and in the trees. It can be cold and raw and windy and whipped. It can also be calm and clear like tonight. There is a certain . . . I don’t know, what you might call rhythm to it all up here. I have seen it all my life. The animals know it. The woods know it. No one’s fooling anybody up here. It is what it is. Treat the mountains and the animals with respect, listen to them, and be prepared, and you’ll be all right, and never alone. If you don’t, you won’t. That’s what I mean about there being a truth up here.”
Howard pulled the collar of his jacket around his weathered neck while at the same time using the toe of his right boot to nudge a log in the fire. No matter how many times Joe tried, he was never able to make a fire grow better with the slight nudge of a log. He watched Howard carefully remove his red and tan cap and brush his hand over his balding head and then criss-cross his chin.
Howard caught Joe’s look. “How you doin’, son?” When Howard asked you how you were doing, it was a big question, not to be taken lightly but answered straight out.
Joe thought for a while and tried his foot on a log, which promptly caused four other logs to fall away from the fire. After he’d gotten them all back in place, he replied, “I’m all right, Uncle Howard, I guess.”
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