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	How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else
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	Features	ISBN13: 9781592404049 Condition: New Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
	Categories	Textbook Buyback   Memoirs   Business   Hospitality, Travel & Tourism   Paperback   Printed Books
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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 kids, a six-figure salary, and an Ivy League education. But in a few short years, he lost his job, got divorced, and was diagnosed together with a brain tumor. Together 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 providing, Michael was a true fish out of water. But fate delivers 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 much 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.
Customer Reviews
Interesting - yes; groundbreaking - no   2010-07-17
By K. Hatfield (Houston, TX, USA)
While the set-up was intriguing, this story fell short for me... not least because I thought the insights were often shallow, but also because it seems like an epiphany to the writer that one can work anywhere that's not heartless and elitist, thus the relentless coming back to Starbucks as the saviour. While it was great to hear some of the details of how humanly Starbucks seems to treat its employees, anyone who has ever worked in a non-profit, or in education, or in any sort of campaign or other NGO will have experienced all that Gill did, and more. So he's had TWO limited experiences, rather than one - so what? Don't get me wrong, I didn't hate the book, and there were parts I downright enjoyed - not least because, as with his daughter, it's a relief to see a bombastic arsehole 'get it' at last, however late - but it was still somewhat disappointing. Many of us have lived our whole lives along these lines; someone who discovered the joy in teamwork and community and working in a place you love only at 64 is ill-suited to set himself up as the 'discoverer' of such truths. I applaud Mr Gill on making the changes he did, but don't read this book for more than the little insight that it actually contains.
A new taste for lattes   2010-07-16
By Jenny Sutton
This book provides a remarkable insight into how human the massive Starbucks organization is. The training and coaching they provide their staff, not to mention the benefits, is a shining example. The author's story was less inspiring. How could he have been in business for all those years and feel afraid of operating a cash register? Dont advertising people deal with numbers at all? All the name-dropping was a turn-off, and the number of times that he reapeated the same observations about respect at Starbucks started to be distracting. Did Starbucks get to edit the book to make sure that the right philosophies and terms were embedded? And why does the list of Starbucks people in the acknowledgements not include the people actually mentioned in the story? The writer however does deserve credit for actually taking a job and supporting himself, rather than spiralling down into bankruptcy and homelessness which is where it seems he was headed.
Fluffy, enjoyable read about a guy who learns some life lessons while working at Starbucks   2010-07-08
By Gen of North Coast Gardening (California)
Michael Gates Gill screws up his life, betrays his wife and family, loses his job, has a brain tumor, and is pretty much penniless when he accepts a job at Starbucks. After a literary and advertising life filled with high moments but not much real connection or love, the life lessons he learns at Starbucks really sink in, and he becomes humbler, sweeter, stops being so judgmental, and turns his emotional life around. The writing flowed smoothly and I could hardly put the book down, and even though I had only intended to pick it up for a moment, I ended up finishing it in two sittings. I think it's easy to bash the guy for not showing more of a behavioral change towards his kids in the book, but I'm guessing they are all grown enough that the involvement he has in their lives is about right for everyone, and with his new baby - perhaps the mom doesn't want him around constantly. We don't know that, so I think making judgments about his personal life might be nitpicking too much. Take it for what it is; a sweet book that shows a guy's struggle to change who he is, and the pleasure he takes his own capacity for making real internal change in his life. It's short, it's snappy, and I liked it. That said, I got my copy used at a garage sale. I might not have felt so warmly towards it if I'd paid the cover price.
Fascinating look at Starbucks and Boomers   2010-07-05
By S. Williams
I enjoyed this non-fiction account of one man's saga and Starbuck's wholesome approach to business. The book helped me to articulate why I love Starbucks-it is a warm, welcoming place that invests in people and society. Michael Gill's story was fascinating. He was so well connected that I was in awe of all the literary icons he knew. But with all his money, he fell so far and had to learn so much. It's a great "rags to rich" life story that will inspire others, especially boomers who may feel pushed out of the job market to make room for younger, newer ideas. His writing style is fluid and readable, a throw-back to his life as an editor. A great summer read.
Redemption as a barista   2010-06-04
By Joshua P. OConner (LocalPlan.org)
Starbucks tends to get a bad rap when it comes to its effect on our communities and our social lives often viewed as a corporate Satan hell bent on destroying our way of life. Michael Gates Gill has another point of view. After being forced out of a career working as a ranking member within the corporate hierarchy, Gill finds himself out of luck and running low on business prospects. He ends up in a Starbucks and waywardly steps into a position as a 64 year old barista. Gill's story follows his own path learning the treacherous ropes of the coffee trade and reflects on his transformation from cruel corporate lackey to an enlightened employee who throws himself into a job he never would have wished on himself before. While at times How Starbucks Saved My Life comes off as Starbucks propaganda, Gill's transformation is very genuine. Starbucks places him into the harsh world that he has somehow avoided during his rather privileged life. How Starbucks Saved My Life holds nothing back. Gill readily confesses the mistakes he has made throughout his life and looks for a way to pay his penance. His interaction with customers and his fellow employees shows how fulfilling life can be when we are not caught up in the pursuit of a career or a better life. Gill's account is sometimes painful as he reveals his past sins and the tragedy of the sacrifices he chose during his former life. How Starbucks Saved My Life provides an unparalleled perspective into the things that are truly important in life and reminds the reader what they might be missing or could miss if they don't place their focus in the right place.