Unfinished Business

After losing his job, Lee Kravitz--a man who had always worked too hard and too much--took stock of his life and decided to spend an entire year making amends and reconnecting with the people and parts of himself he had neglected. Kravitz embarks on ten journeys, traveling everywhere from a refugee camp in Kenya to a monastery in California, and learning along the way that the things we let slip are exactly those that have the power to transform, enrich, enlarge, and complete us. Unfinished Business has prompted multiple speaking engagements, a blog on the Psychology Today Web site, and a groundswell of interest from readers sharing their own stories--the best of which are included in this paperback edition as further inspiration.

Visit www.myunfinishedbusiness.com for reading guides and much more.

Lee Kravitz grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Yale and Columbia universities. An award-winning journalist, he most recently was editor in chief of Parade magazine. He lives in New York City and Clinton Corners, New York,with his wife and three children.

Praise for Unfinished Business:

"Kravitz writes with an inspiring sincerity. His experiences are so familiar that it would be hard for readers not to reflect on their own unfinished business--and want to tend to it."--Washington Post

"Kravitz used losing his job as a springboard to the human things he should have done. In so doing, he turned bad into bountiful. A great lesson for us all."--Mitch Albom, author of Have a Little Faith

“[Kravitzs] journeys take him all over the world, helping him put into perspective what truly matters in his life. He teaches readers to appreciate what they have and to tackle any unfinished business they may have themselves. He does what so many people wish they could do and inspires others to take a step back and see what is missing in their life.”—Baltimore Jewish News

“Kravitz is a thoughtful writer, and his memoir reveals a delicate personal journey.”      —Publishers Weekly

“Kravitz writes with an inspiring sincerity. His experiences are so familiar that it would be hard for readers not to reflect on their own unfinished business — and want to tend to it.”  —Denver Post

“When Lee Kravitz lost his job as editor-in-chief of Parade magazine, he decided to spend a year connecting all the dots his busy working life had left emotionally adrift, reaching out to grasp the hands and hearts of family members, friends, and mentors he had left behind. His adventures in outreach are moving, and quietly inspiring.” —Barnes & Noble Review

“This book will strike a chord with those of us who feel we've left some things behind in the relentless pursuit of work and careers. What better time than summer vacation when our bodies have left the office, but our minds may still be there, than to read this book and think about our own unfinished business.”  —The Republican

“He was one of the many; he lost his job. But what he did next might be a bit distinctive. Instead of setting out to get a new job, he took a year to set some things straight, things that had been neglected during his years steadfastly dedicated to his profession. His unfinished business led him on ten journeys of redemption, including repaying long-overdue debts, keeping promises, and reaching out to a distant friend. The stuff that life should be made of - re-thinking, redoing, reliving.”  —UrbanBaby

“Kravitz writes with an inspiring sincerity. His experiences are so familiar that it would be hard for readers not to reflect on their own unfinished business -- and want to tend to it.”  —Washington Post

“Kravitz presents an honest looks at himself as a workaholic who, jarred from his routine when fired from his job, decides to spend a year mending fractured relationships and catching up on forgotten promises.  A lively read.  In the often-obnoxious realm of the feel-good memoir, this one stands out as a rare success.”—Jew-ish.com

“A candid account of how a person takes all the things he always meant to do and transforms them into meaningful learning experiences.” —J., The Jewish News Weekly of Northern California

“Inspirational but never preachy, Kravitzs memoir reminds us of what really matters … and shows us how to begin searching for, and finding it.”—Hudson Valley News

“When award-winning journalist Lee Kravitz is laid off from his job, he realizes he has spent most of his life working too hard. He uses this life-changing moment as an opportunity to take stock of his life. Unfinished Business takes readers on 10 transformational journeys in which Kravitz reconnects with those dear to him and makes amends. The lesson to be shared: ‘Be mindful of what is most important, and act on it. The rewards will be immediate and lasting.”—Cleveland Jewish News

“Kravitz sets out on a mission, devoting a year to completing the unfinished business in his life, including making amends to the people he has hurt. Self-effacing, self-aware, he embarks on a journey in which he reconnects with a schizophrenic aunt neglected by their family, forgives a high school nemesis and honors a forgotten promise to an underprivileged African boy. What could have turned into a self-congratulatory, Disneyesque odyssey becomes an occasion for real kindnesses and growing sensitivity.” —Time

“A fascinating read, and an example of how anyones life can be interesting.”—Jen A. Miller, Book a Week with Jen blog

 “[Kravitzs] journeys…are truthful, generous and worthwhile.  Through his experiences, he found meaning, an acceptance of lifes absurdity and the insight that so much comes down to attitude and keeping the many threads of life thrumming.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Lee Kravitzs illuminating and uplifting midlife memoir, Unfinished Business, is the perfect antidote to those middle-of-the-night sweats, when we toss and turn and torture ourselves with endless shoulda-coulda-wouldas. Achingly candid, this beautifully written and touchingly personal chronicle traces the authors year-long journey of searching for the pieces he left behind, and how it led him to finding his better self. Kravitz has written a triumphant love letter to the human condition.”—Marlo Thomas, author of The Right Words at the Right Time

“Unfinished Business is not just the story of how and why and when Lee Kravitz decided to tie up his loose ends, although all that is here. Its also about the extraordinary and unexpected events that unfold in his life and others once he states the intention to pursue completion and becomes determines to see it through. This is an uplifting and truly life-affirming book.”—Hope Edelman, author of The Possibility of Everything

“Everyone complains about not having enough time—but what happens when we get it? Lee Kravitz used losing his job as a springboard to the human things he should have done. In so doing, he turned bad into bountiful. A great lesson for us all.”—Mitch Albom, author of Have A Little Faith

“Unfinished Business is a rich, wise and powerful work that reminds us to be ever mindful of that which is truly important. By taking honest and courageous stock of his own unfinished business, Lee Kravitz calls on us all to live lives that honor our best selves. It is a timely and inspiring book.”—Dave Isay, founder of StoryCorps

“Lee Kravitz has written the perfect memoir for our time. He turns a personal setback into a sweeping affirmation of life, family, and resilience. Unfinished Business will surprise you with its nuance and amaze you with its grace and have you reaching out to someone you love.”—Bruce Feiler, author of Walking the Bible

“Kravitz sets out on a mission, devoting a year to completing the unfinished business in his life, including making amends to the people he has hurt. Self-effacing, self-aware, he embarks on a journey in which he reconnects with a schizophrenic aunt neglected by their family, forgives a high school nemesis and honors a forgotten promise to an underprivileged African boy. What could have turned into a self-congratulatory, Disneyesque odyssey becomes an occasion for real kindnesses and growing sensitivity.”—TIME magazine

“[Kravitzs] journeys…are truthful, generous and worthwhile.  Through his experiences, he found meaning, an acceptance of lifes absurdity and the insight that so much comes down to attitude and keeping the many threads of life thrumming.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Lee Kravitzs illuminating and uplifting midlife memoir, Unfinished Business, is the perfect antidote to those middle-of-the-night sweats, when we toss and turn and torture ourselves with endless shoulda-coulda-wouldas. Achingly candid, this beautifully written and touchingly personal chronicle traces the authors year-long journey of searching for the pieces he left behind, and how it led him to finding his better self. Kravitz has written a triumphant love letter to the human condition.”—Marlo Thomas, author of The Right Words at the Right Time

“Unfinished Business is not just the story of how and why and when Lee Kravitz decided to tie up his loose ends, although all that is here. Its also about the extraordinary and unexpected events that unfold in his life and others once he states the intention to pursue completion and becomes determines to see it through. This is an uplifting and truly life-affirming book.”—Hope Edelman, author of The Possibility of Everything

“Everyone complains about not having enough time—but what happens when we get it? Lee Kravitz used losing his job as a springboard to the human things he should have done. In so doing, he turned bad into bountiful. A great lesson for us all.”—Mitch Albom, author of Have A Little Faith

“Unfinished Business is a rich, wise and powerful work that reminds us to be ever mindful of that which is truly important. By taking honest and courageous stock of his own unfinished business, Lee Kravitz calls on us all to live lives that honor our best selves. It is a timely and inspiring book.”—Dave Isay, Founder of StoryCorps

“Lee Kravitz has written the perfect memoir for our time. He turns a personal setback into a sweeping affirmation of life, family, and resilience. Unfinished Business will surprise you with its nuance and amaze you with its grace and have you reaching out to someone you love.”—Bruce Feiler, author of Walking the Bible