general

After reading the story of Starbucks, I now know that one of the world's most recognizable brands didn't really pop up overnight, it only seems that way. Behind the scenes, it took a lot of hard work on the part of everyone involved in the company, from CEO Schultz, to each and every barista ("waiter"). It was truly inspiring to watch Schultz chase his dream of making Starbucks into a fine coffee house, and a real people-oriented company. At times, however, it seems as though he chooses to turn the book into something of a personal memoir, instead of focusing on the people in the company and their contributions. Sure it helped add to the mystique of his rags to riches story, but it was probably overdone. Also, towards the end, I couldn't help but feel that Starbucks lost, or at least changed its vision, becoming too commercialized to cater to true coffee lovers. Oh well, as long as they make that great coffee. It's always interesting to get on the inside of a company and find out what makes them tick, and this is certainly no exception. Overall, a very enjoyable book. Never forget your dreams!

I read this book for leadership content and also because I love the coffee. Lets just say that my palette was satisfied on both accounts. In his text, Shultz unpacks a wonderful story of how he moved from inner city New York to the well-known Starbucks. He talks honestly about how he did it, and the tough choices that he had to make along the way.

I am an evangelical pastor who works at a large church in Toledo, Ohio. I learned leadership, I learned about coffee, and I learned how Starbucks created a culture and community that people responded to. To be honest, Schultz has passed on some knowledge that will be quite valuable to me when looking at how to lead a church and create more than a Sunday morning thrill, but a culture where peoples lives are changed.

Starbucks story will grab you quick and will be throwing tid-bits of goodies at you the whole 300 pages.

This is an interesting read if looked at as a fictional account of business. As a frustrated Starbucks employee, there are many an urban legend about how great we are supposed to be treated. Howard should go to work as a barista in one of his own stores, have customers insult him, throw drinks back at him and do all of the cleaning chores expected of the people making him his millions. As for the "One Drink at a Time", I wish that were true. We are expected to whip out drinks within mere seconds of them being ordered. Don't believe all the gospel of Howard. It ain't all that he thinks it is cracked up to be.