How Starbucks Saved My Life, Michael Gates Gill
How Starbucks Saved My Life, Michael Gates Gill
3 Rating(s)
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How Starbucks Saved My Life
A Son of Privilege Learns to Live Like Everyone Else

Author: Michael Gates Gill

Narrator: Dylan Baker

Unabridged: 7 hr 39 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Published: 09/20/2007


Synopsis

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 The New Yorker writer Brendan Gill, Michael Gates Gill was a creative director at J. Walter Thompson Advertising, where he was employed for more than 25 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.Dylan Baker is a remarkably versatile actor whose chilling breakthrough performance as a pedophile in Todd Solondz's Happiness rocketed him to instant recognition among film critics and art-house patrons. The straight-faced actor has been appearing onstage and in television and film since the early '80s.


Reviews

AudiobooksNow review by Debra on 2010-10-18 10:06:27

I listened to this on CD and I'm in a sugar coma from it - so sickening sweet. Maybe reading the book I would have had a different experience. Maybe its the writing style he uses. He made me want to gag. His emphasis on Starbucks is like it is some new age religion that saved him. Its rare when I'm glad a book on CD is over. Thank God I live far away from New York and rarely enter a Starbucks for their overpriced drinks.

Goodreads review by Daniel on July 22, 2018

There is a line toward the end of the book -- "I feel like the older you get, the more you cry." Oh, how true. I feel more sentimental. I find that, like the author of the book, I tend to dwell on the past. This book found me at the right time in my life -- on the brink of another life change, feeli......more

Goodreads review by Cortney on March 14, 2009

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was impressed with the depth of introspection that Mr Gill explored. While reading this book, I was reminded of another book I recently read- Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By In America by Barbara Ehrenreich. The books were similar and yet so very different. Ms......more

Goodreads review by Syed on March 19, 2017

There were a lot of negative rating & review for this book. If I trust all the review, I might not read the book and judge it for myself. Luckily this book appear at pantry's office, whenever I pass that small book shelve I was attracted to the book. The book was fair to me, if not amazing. Many of w......more

Goodreads review by Kaye on October 06, 2008

Oh my, this book went on and on. The parts I liked: Michael Gates Gill trying to fit in with his new life. What I didn't: everything else. Basically, the flaws are these: Gill repeats himself ad nauseum, as if I can't remember the role that a barista plays in a Starbucks. Each chapter involves a rec......more

Goodreads review by Rob on March 31, 2013

I read this book because I was having one of THOSE Saturday mornings. Have you ever had one of those mornings when you just need something… something to read and since your wife is one of those really wonderfully bookish people you happen to have just stacks and stacks of books handy and can pick so......more