After eight years in a backseat role, Howard Schultz returned as CEO of Starbucks in 2008. To reverse the company’s unprecedented decline, Schultz resolved to reinvigorate Starbucks with the heart of the coffee retailer he had developed more than 20 years earlier. ONWARD is Schultz’s recollection of the tough decisions and stalwart vision that marked the turnaround. Stephen Bowlby’s blunt, hard-driving narration is well matched to Schultz’s direct account. Bowlby portrays Schultz’s passion for the soul of Starbucks: unwavering commitment to the customer’s coffee experience. He excels at voicing Schultz’s confidence and occasional insensitivity to subordinates. This work should be inspirational for managers who seek to anchor daily decisions with guiding principles.
Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2011
Duration: 12 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781611744927
Publisher: HighBridge Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
The readers can't compensate for the unbearably pompous prose style of this extended parable about corporate politics and strategy.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Henslee’s warm, unhurried narration makes listeners feel like the next success story could be theirs.
Barbara Henslee narrates with an intimate, upbeat delivery and a sunny Southern warmth that feels like being personally recruited to the Mary Kay empire. Her voice suits the material perfectly, drawing listeners into a bygone era when women built empires through gatherings around kitchen tables and on front porches, long before they could open their own bank accounts. Henslee never oversells, just gently persuades, mirroring the company’s own quiet pitch to millions of women that economic independence and personal transformation were within reach. The balanced treatment of the realities of multilevel marketing, alongside the truly inspirational story of founder Mary Kay Ash, make this a compelling listen for anyone curious about the often mocked world of direct sales.
Henslee’s warm, unhurried narration makes listeners feel like the next success story could be theirs.Pub Date: April 28, 2026
Duration: 14 hrs, 24 mins
DD ISBN: 9798217281879
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: June 9, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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