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How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son Of Privilege Learns To Live Like Everyone Else

Average rating: 4/5

Based on 13 ratings

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How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son Of Privilege Learns To Live Like Everyone Else

by Michael Gates Gill

GOTHAM BOOKS TRADE PAPER | September 2, 2008 | Trade Paperback

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.

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Reviews

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Great book for anyone needing a little help getting back up. Truly inspiring story!

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Rating: 5/5

    Heartwarming story of wealth vs. happiness...

    Kaitz12

    • Indigo Employee
    • Most Interesting

    3 years ago

    A brief, 260-some pages, biograpghy of Michael Gates Gill's life.

    Meet a man that thought he had it all. He had the wife, the kids, a savvy job in the advertising industry, and money coming out his pockets.

    But what he was missing was the connection he once had with his wife, the opportunity to watch his kids grow up, and the ability to live a happy life.

    After cheating on his wife which lead to a divorce, Michael's life rapidly went down hill. He also lost his job as an executive at the advertising firm - his number one priority in life.

    Now what is he to do. A young African-American woman offers him a job at Starbucks. Michael kindly accepts and begins working at a store location in NYC that he feels as though he is the minority - old man and white.

    By picking up this novel, you will join Michael in his Starbucks journey. Watch him appreciate the small things in life and learn that there is more to life than being an executive and being wealthy.

    This book can resonate with each and every one of us. It allows us to find an aspect of our life that we can appreciate.

    I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Rating: 5/5

    Surprise Hit!

    Tammy Heggerud

    3 years ago

    I did not have a high expectation for this novel when I bought it, but I thought it would at least be interesting. I could not put it down! The authors' writing style was very easy to read and you really could feel for him even though he had had a very easy privileged life. I want to say it was a little "Forest Gump"ish with all the high profile people he had met throughout his life and all his experiences. I highly recommend it!

    • Was this review
      helpful to you?

    Rating: 1/5

    idiotic

    Beevee

    5 years ago

    What a terrible book. Boring to the max, and very self absorbing dribble. Would not recommend this book to anyone.

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Product Buzz

Details

From the Publisher

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.

About the Author

The son of New Yorker writer Brendan Gill, Michael Gates Gill was a creative director at J. Walter Thompson Advertising, where he was employed for over twenty-five years. He has no plans to retire from what he calls the best job he?s ever had.

Trade Paperback

272 Pages, 5 x 7.25 x 0.85 in

September 2, 2008

GOTHAM BOOKS TRADE PAPER

English


1592404049
9781592404049

From the Critics

?In the best tradition of The New Yorker, How Starbucks Saved My Life is one great read.?
?The Wall Street Journal

?An intriguing look behind the counter of one of the world?s most recognizable brands.?
?The Christian Science Monitor

?How Starbucks Saved My Life works as an interesting memoir of one man?s transformation. But it could also work as a wake-up call to corporate America.?
?Minneapolis Star Tribune

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