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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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Baker lends his talent to Gill's memoir, the subject of considerable industry buzz and the basis for a 2008 movie starring Tom Hanks. Baker's enunciation and cadence perfectly match the essence of Gill, a well-bred and erudite-yet down-on-his luck-advertising executive who discovers the true meaning of life while working as a Starbucks barista. Baker also delivers especially evocative performances of Gill's hardworking-but fun-loving-young colleagues Kester and Anthony. His portrayal of store manager and mentor Crystal seems slightly underwhelming given her character's pivotal role in the story. All in all, Baker remains true to the spirit of the material, and his rendition of the workplace banter should ring especially true with service industry veterans. Critics quick to dismiss the project for its high-concept elements will probably remain unmoved, but fans of such popular inspirational/motivational memoirs as Tuesdays with Morrieshould find the experience good to the last drop. Simultaneous release with the Gotham hardcover (Reviews, June 4). (Sept.)
Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information
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 lives in New York within walking distance of the Starbucks store where he works, and has no plans to retire from what he calls the best job he’s ever had.
Perpetualkid
Posted August 10, 2009
first of all, i LOVE starbucks, which is what caught my eye about the very starbuck-sy feel of the cover. After reading the first chapter, I was hooked. Gates' writing style is swift and easy to read, but chock-filled with antidotes from what he calls his "past life"--a life of luxury and wealth. His story of his downfall is relatable (it can happen to anyone!) and his story of overcoming his state is both inspirational (i am starting a new endeavor myself so reading about someone else's endeavor was strengthing and enlightening) and encouraging. it is never too late to start anew, he shows us. and his honest and heartfelt story of his own life is definitely a must read! His details and his stumbling in starbucks, to what he learns during it all.. I've recommended this book to everyone--and my brother is hooked!! Great for gifts to recent grads from college (my brother) or someone just starting work (myself). LOVED it!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.While slow at times, the Writer does a nice job of demonstrating how enriched his life was and how (on a different level), how enriched it becomes. With his flashbacks, annoying at times, he really let's the reader get into his head. Overall I enjoyed this book and would love to work at a Starbucks after reading it ;)
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.mimiAR
Posted July 12, 2009
I have given many copies of this book to friends and family(they all enjoyed it.) and have reccommended it to many more--including dozens of Starbucks employees. None had read it and few had heard of it. Surprising. Such good publicity for the company.
I thought this was a wonderful story about a man whose life was in shambles through misfortune and his own stupidity. He then gets a thoroughly unexpected second chance.
I loved getting an inside view of the operation too.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Atthebeach
Posted March 30, 2009
OK, I am a Starbuck's nut. I go to Starbuck's every day I can. It's not just the coffee (double tall, extra foamy latte in the morning and/or grande coffee light frappucino, add a shot of espresso, in the afternoon), it's about the whole experience. A place that feels like mine, getting to know the staff, the whole gestalt. So what I may have enjoyed most about the book is the whole Starbuck's story about training and staffing and how a good manager builds a team and makes her particular store such a go-to venue for her customers. It may also be that I spent many years in the advertising business, like the author/main character, and really get what he's talking about. But it's also a story about life turned upside down and how to survive, even grow, in an entirely new place. I'll admit that I was wary of the story of a high level ad exec falling so far as to have to take a job as a trainee barista at Starbuck's. It didn't seem that the ego of the former could ever accept being the latter. But he convinced me that he really could be happy in this new world and that he was a better person for it. I still wonder how long he will last at it (until after the film is done perhaps?) But I don't doubt at all that he is now and will always be a very different person from the one he used to be. And now when I go to Starbuck's, I look with much more interest at the employees, their behavior and attitudes, and how it all relates to me. The book is in that sense a primer on growing and managing a good customer-driven business. And, for some people, how to accept who you really are and what you really should be doing with your life. It's a fast read, an easy read, and you just may stop and think a bit about what he has to say.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I enjoyed this book about a man born into privilege that ends up losing almost everything and then goes to work at Starbucks. I always like 'behind-the-scenes' tidbits of places I visit. In fact, last night Allyson and I went to Starbucks and I noticed the "Partner of the Month" sign. Starbucks calls their employees 'Partners', so that was fun. The book was a quick, easy read. The only thing that bugged me was the constant name-dropping, that I could have done without. One thing the author said that I really liked was "I had sought to give me comfort, and which had failed me so miserably when things went wrong....Now, I told myself, with a growing courage, I had found with Starbucks a better reality ... not based on external status symbols but on a real feeling of confidence and support and genuine affection and even admiration for and from the Partners and the Guests." This book is being made into a movie with Tom Hanks, due out in 2012.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Lmartin1228
Posted May 26, 2011
Enjoyed this book, quick and inspiring!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.GulliverJF
Posted April 17, 2010
This man, Michael Gates Gill, lost his prestigious, high-paying job and tried to set up his own business. When that eventually failed, he ran out of options and went to work at Starbuck's, primarily because he needed the health benefits. He wound up loving the job. He writes mainly about his experiences working there, but also drops in a lot of tidbits about his former privileged life and the famous people he encountered along the way. He praises Starbucks all throughout the book. However, he offers no insight into the difficulties of making a real living on a Starbuck's salary. Its not a great literary work, just an enjoyable book to read with a cup of coffee on a rainy day.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.AudreyCooper
Posted March 11, 2010
This could happen to anyone; a big game changer at midlife and the loss of most things held dear. I am stunned by Michael Gates Gill's courage in taking on such a seemingly low status job after his big career in advertising; how he relates to his co-workers, especially his manager, and how hard he works to achieve success as a good man Friday at this Starbucks. There are lessons to be learned from this inspiring man and I left the book wishing I could sit down and talk with him more about his experience. Well written, cheerful, insightful; I highly recommend this to lovers of those who survive life's big changes, who appreciate corporations who respect their workers, and a good cup of coffee.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 22, 2010
I am only 1/3 of the way through this book, but I already really like it. Although written in simple language, that should not undermine the messages and introspection written in this memoir. You will be taken on a very interesting journey through the author's upbringing and recent revelations. Good for discussing in a book club or with fellow New Yorkers.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.wc0265
Posted February 22, 2010
This story is very touching and the message critical to all of us about what is truly important as we live our lives. The saying, "No one ever laid on their deathbed and wished they had spent more time at work" is exemplified in this book.
Remarkably, the unemployed, out-of-luck ad exec gets blessed and learns his lessons via an offer to work for Starbucks.
The story is his journey, his training, his memories and his realizations along the way.
I appreciated the message immensely. And imagining the love that was shared brought tears to my eyes. If only we could ALL have this knowledge without having to fall as he did. What a wonderful community of love and appreciation we would flourish in!
MTK
Posted February 20, 2010
Well worth taking a look at. Yet again it goes to show we never know where life will bring us.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 12, 2010
I thought his writing style was clunky and plodding; the words just didn't flow. It felt like he had a thesaurus in front of him the entire time he was writing. There's no magic to his writing style, and there's nothing surprising or original about what he learns working at Starbucks. Gee, a 20 year old black woman can teach a 50 year old white male how to follow company policies and procedures?
This book was good only from keeping me to have absolutely nothing to do on an airplane, but it's not a book I'd read again.
Allee_Cat
Posted February 8, 2010
I Also Recommend:
How Starbucks Saved My Life: A Son of Privilege Learns to Live
Like Everyone Else is a true story of Michael Gates Gill, a then
successful man at a large company called JWT. He had the gorgeous wife,
kids, the high paying job and the huge house. Until one day when he heard
those words, "We have to let you go", that changed his life forever. He
later finds out that he has a brain tumor and is forced to get a job at
Starbucks to pay for his medical bills and support his children. Michael
Gates' story is a true eye-opener to how people can see so closed minded
until they are actually put into a situation where they are forced to
open their eyes and wake up. I believe Michael wrote the book to get a
certain message across to readers; the message that ignorance is not
bliss. I especially enjoyed How Starbucks Saved My Life because it was
the true struggles of a man living in New York City and it shows how
people can truly have that life changing experience, whether it be good
or bad at times. I was also particularly fond of how Michael wrote the
book; it was an easy read and flowed nicely. He used great imagery and
the way it was narrated made for great detail. I truly did not have any
dislikes with the book. The characters, setting, and writing style were
all very intriguing. I believe the book was written successfully and I
think that it is due to the fact that it was non-fiction and came from
the author's heart and experiences. I have not read, but would recommend
the book How To Save Your Own Life also by Michael Gates Gill. I usually
would never recommend a book I have never read, but based on the author
and how great this book was I trust that it would also be a great read. I
would easily give this book 4 out of 5 stars and would definitely
recommend this book to anyone from high school ages to any adult. The
reasoning for not recommending the book to anyone younger than high
school would only be because they might not understand the struggle and
economic issues and why they are so detrimental to Michael's life. How
Starbucks Saved My Life is a true "riches to rags" story of a man who
thought he had it all.
teacherlaurie
Posted January 23, 2010
Very inspirational and thought provoking. It would make a great graduation gift for anyone. People of all ages will enjoy, but I would make it required reading for college seniors!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book was honest and thought-provoking. The author brought you into his story, introduced you to his co-workers and made you feel like you were right there with him, all the way. He showed no self-pity, but only pride in the job he was doing. This book was uplifting and is definitely a must-read during our current economic situation.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Good story--- I enjoyed the book. He gets a little repetative with the humility and gratitude, I got the gist after the first several times, then it became trite and larger than life. But overall a nice feel-good book.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.loubeck
Posted January 16, 2010
This is a surprisingly engaging story. And one that many could benefit from reading for confirmation of self and support for life change. Michael becomes an endearing person as he sorts out his life and his future.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Taylor_Phillips_Period1
Posted January 12, 2010
The book How Starbucks Saved My Life is a memoir that is hard to put down. This is a story of a man named Michael Gates Gill who was a son of privilege. Michael got whatever he wanted and was given many opportunities of success because of where he came from and who is family was. Michael was very successful, but took too many things for granted and when his career at a top advertising firm ended because of his old age, he didn't have anything to fall back on. He became an old man who drove much of his family away and didn't have a job or much money saved up.
From here, this story becomes a tale of growth and redemption. He is given a chance to start over and tries to make the best of it at Starbucks. Michael is given a job at a Starbucks by fate, and grows at this store by working with different types of people he used to classify and judge, but now realizes are just people like him, no better or worse. He gains a new perspective on life, one that actually makes him happy and benefits him in the end. This book is all about second chances, finding hope, finding happiness, and going towards the future instead of looking at the past. How Starbucks Saved My Life is definitely an encouraging book that everyone should read.
Anonymous
Posted December 29, 2009
one of the best books I've read this year. certainly a tale of growth, redemption, success and (ultimately) happiness, the unconventional route embarked by the author chronicles one of the many facets of the human spirit. that for as much as we are flawed we must not give up in the face of adversity, obstacles are meant to be overcome after all. the author's tale is no different, except there's a key ingredient that binds the book together: humility.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I grew quickly weary of this self-indulgent and self-congratulatory piece. The author's thinly veiled condescension was matched only by the dullness of his style.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Overview
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...