"From his early childhood, Matthew Collins sought love and acceptance from his father, who was raised as the bastard child of a famous artist. Matthew struggled with jealousy toward his younger brothers, and he questioned the morals and values of people around him.

As an adult, Matthew lived life his way, with years of lying, womanizing, and heavy drinking. Though married four times, did he ever find unconditional love? Would Matthew's high intelligence, love for his two daughters, and his unique philosophy on life help him rise above his demons?" (taken from the back of the book)

Matthew Collins is actually the psuedonym of Murray Clark, who was a real life person that the author encountered as a retired registered nurse with a master's in human development (there's a second edition with real names, this is the first edition). And he did all those horrible things as described in this book. He was raised in a loving family, but due to his mother's ill health during her subsequent pregnancies, Matthew kept being sent to his aunt and uncle's farm to be raised there. His aunt and uncle are as loving and caring as Matthew's own parents, and at first, you feel sorry for him at the lack of stability he has, as he keeps going back and forth between schools and his parents and guardians. However, as he grows older and his true nature comes out, we realize that Matthew is a master of self-sabotage. In a way, he's just like most of us, who sabotage our own efforts to be happy. Yet most of us learn to be less selfish over time. Matthew, on the other hand, caves to every vice. A warning to those of us who are prone to self-pity and laziness.

This copy is a first edition signed by the author.

Left at the table by the elevator.