How Starbucks Saved My Life
A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else
-
-
4.3 • 122 Ratings
-
-
- $14.99
-
- $14.99
Publisher Description
Now in paperback, the national bestselling riches-to-rags true story of an advertising executive who had it all, then lost it all—and was finally redeemed by his new job, and his twenty-eight-year-old boss, at Starbucks.
In his fifties, Michael Gates Gill had it all: a mansion in the suburbs, a wife and loving children, a six-figure salary, and an Ivy League education. But in a few short years, he lost his job, got divorced, and was diagnosed with a brain tumor. With no money or health insurance, he was forced to get a job at Starbucks. Having gone from power lunches to scrubbing toilets, from being served to serving, Michael was a true fish out of water.
But fate brings an unexpected teacher into his life who opens his eyes to what living well really looks like. The two seem to have nothing in common: She is a young African American, the daughter of a drug addict; he is used to being the boss but reports to her now. For the first time in his life he experiences being a member of a minority trying hard to survive in a challenging new job. He learns the value of hard work and humility, as well as what it truly means to respect another person.
Behind the scenes at one of America’s most intriguing businesses, an inspiring friendship is born, a family begins to heal, and, thanks to his unlikely mentor, Michael Gill at last experiences a sense of self-worth and happiness he has never known before.
Watch a QuickTime trailer for this book.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The son of New Yorker writer Brendan Gill grew up meeting the likes of Ezra Pound and Ernest Hemingway. A Yale education led to a job at prestigious J. Walter Thompson Advertising. But at 63, the younger Gill's sweet life has gone sour. Long fired from JWT, his own business is collapsing and an ill-advised affair has resulted in a new son and a divorce. At this low point, and in need of health insurance for a just diagnosed brain tumor, Gill fills out an application for Starbucks and is assigned to the store on 93rd and Broadway in New York City, staffed primarily by African-Americans. Working as a barista, Gill, who is white, gets an education in race relations and the life of a working class Joe . Gill certainly has a story to tell, but his narrative is flooded with saccharine flashbacks, when it could have detailed how his very different, much younger colleagues, especially his endearing 28-year-old manager, Crystal Thompson, came to accept him. The book reads too much like an employee handbook, as Gill details his duties or explains how the company chooses its coffee. Gill's devotion to the superchain has obviously changed his life for the better, but that same devotion makes for a repetitive, unsatisfying read. Photos not seen by PW.
Customer Reviews
Starbucks saved my life
Interesting read. I loved all the life lessons on what is most important. Really put life into perspective. I admire the authors honesty. A good read and greatly written.
Amazing
It's incredibly eye-opening to me. I find myself - while much younger than the author - identifying with him. Why? The best I ever had was working in a local supermarket when I was in HS and college. All the other "professional" ones, while I have met some amazing people I am proud to call friends, the vast majority have been soulless corporate automatons that once I leave where I am, they might as well never have existed to me. More companies should follow the Starbucks lead of nurture from a human level and maybe it might be better to work in Corporate America. One day, I hope to find what the author has found. This book gives me hope that, soon, I, too, will be happy again.
Makes Me Smile
A heartwarming story with fun facts about Starbucks that is a fun read.