For Love of Country

"For Love of Country: What Our Veterans Can Teach Us About Citizenship, Heroism, and Sacrifice" is a work of nonfiction co-written by Howard Schultz, the longtime chairman and chief executive of Starbucks, and journalist Rajiv Chandrasekaran, a former Washington Post correspondent known for his reporting on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Published in 2014, the book emerged from Schultz's years of engagement with veterans through Starbucks' hiring initiatives and his broader interest in the experiences of those who served in the post-9/11 conflicts.

The book is structured around a series of profiles of men and women who served in the military after the September 11 attacks. Through these narratives, Schultz and Chandrasekaran examine the challenges veterans face when transitioning back into civilian life, including difficulties finding employment, coping with physical and psychological wounds, and reconnecting with communities that often have little understanding of military service. Each chapter focuses on individual stories, ranging from combat veterans adjusting to life after deployment to military spouses and family members who bear their own burdens during and after wartime.

One of the central arguments running through the book is the growing distance between the small percentage of Americans who serve in the armed forces and the much larger civilian population that does not. The authors suggest that this gap has consequences not only for veterans, who may feel isolated or misunderstood, but also for the country as a whole, which risks losing a sense of shared sacrifice and civic responsibility. This theme connects to Schultz's own advocacy work, including Starbucks' commitment to hiring veterans and military spouses, a program that receives attention in the book as one example of how businesses might engage more directly with this population.

The writing style balances journalistic reporting with a personal, sometimes reflective tone. Chandrasekaran's background in war reporting lends credibility and detail to the accounts of military service, while Schultz's perspective as a business leader shapes the book's focus on practical solutions and calls to action. The combination results in a narrative that moves between individual human stories and broader observations about policy, employment, and public perception of veterans.

Readers interested in memoir-style storytelling will find the personal accounts compelling, as the authors clearly conducted extensive interviews to capture the nuances of each veteran's experience. The book does not shy away from difficult subjects, including post-traumatic stress, suicide among veterans, and the strain that repeated deployments place on families. At the same time, it highlights resilience and adaptation, showing how many veterans have found new purpose in civilian careers, education, or community service after leaving the military.

The book also addresses the role of businesses and communities in supporting veterans beyond symbolic gestures of gratitude. Schultz and Chandrasekaran argue for more substantive engagement, such as employment opportunities, mentorship, and efforts to bridge the cultural and experiential divide between military and civilian life. This practical orientation distinguishes the book from purely narrative accounts of war, positioning it as both a collection of stories and a call for action.

Critics of the book have noted that its focus on Schultz's own initiatives and Starbucks' veteran hiring program occasionally shifts the narrative toward corporate social responsibility rather than a purely journalistic examination of veterans' issues. However, this integration also reflects the book's dual purpose: to inform readers about the realities faced by veterans and to encourage concrete efforts to address those challenges.

Overall, "For Love of Country" offers a readable and informative look at the experiences of post-9/11 veterans, combining individual stories with broader reflections on citizenship and civic responsibility. It serves as both an educational resource for those unfamiliar with military life and a prompt for reflection on how communities and businesses might better support those who have served. The collaboration between Schultz's advocacy background and Chandrasekaran's journalistic expertise results in a book that is accessible without oversimplifying the complexities of military service and its aftermath.