13 BILLION TO ONE

This book was remarkable. It makes me wonder if everyone who wins or comes into a lot of money goes through something like this. Mr. Rush had the right idea. Take off for a year. Runaway. Don't make any big decisions. The same is said about losing a loved one. Don't make any big decisions for a year or so. Money makes people do stupid things. If a lose friend of mine came into a lot of money, that would probably distance us. I could not keep up with his spending. I would not expect him to pay my way. I agree with him fully. Let's get rid of these scammers!!! Interesting read.

'13 Billion to One' is not only a memoir but a cautionary tale in the most unadulterated sense. At the beginning of 2015, Randy Rush was just a normal guy. After growing up poor and surviving on welfare, Randy suffered some difficult setbacks in his 20's and ended up having to move back in with his parents. But, after managing to get back on his feet and find work in an equipment rental agency, he cleaned up his life.

That was, until he won 50 million dollars in the Canadian lottery.
Saying that Randy's life changed suddenly is a bit of an understatement, I think most of us would struggle to imagine the shock of suddenly winning such a large amount of money when you only left the house to pick up cat food.
Of course, money like that can bring out the criminal in people. Randy quickly found out who his real friends were and who was kissing up to him for a taste of the wealthy lifestyle. Particularly, the son of a friend who convinced Randy to invest in his tech start up, only to later turn out to be a scam.

Randy, who comes across as a very nice and personable guy, had never experienced betrayal like that. The memoir goes on to show his process through the courts trying to get his money back and the eventual beginnings of his crusade to help fight white-collar crime.

This book was a very enjoyable reading experience for me, as I absolutely love memoirs and this story was a doozy. From the opening pages, where Randy wins the money to the eventual betrayal by his friend, I was hooked! This guy has lead a pretty unbelievable life and has quite the story to tell from it. He also goes on to help a charity in Africa that educates children. After visiting a charity run grade school he decides he wants to help in a big way and builds a high school. There is also some lighter laugh out loud moments, from now on Meeka’s canned cat food will be called “premium soft-serve.” That is what Randy calls his cat, Conway Kitty’s, cat food. I highly recommend this excellent book!

This book is truly a non-fiction gem and a bestseller waiting to happen!

Canadian Randy Rush unexpectedly won 50 million dollars in the lottery and his life was changed forever—and not just for the better. The first thing Randy did after finding out that he won was make a list. He wanted to do things like help his friends with their debts, make a large donation to his church and other charities, and quit his boring job. All things that I think many of us daydream about doing.

From the start, Randy was cautious and hesitant to allow other people in his town know that he had won, at least until the lottery made the announcement and the news cameras and reporters came out. After all, if people find out that you have money, some can feel entitled to it for no reason. But all of that caution did not help Randy when a family friend’s son asked him to invest in his tech start up. Thinking that it was a sound investment, Randy agreed, only to find out later that he has been scammed.

This book was very well written and easy to read. I felt like I was watching a movie as I was reading, the pacing and action were so perfect. I love when memoir writers pay attention to traditional pacing elements because it really creates a masterpiece of a book and '13 Billion to One' is just such a masterpiece. Rush has such a talent for writing that I definitely think he should use it again in the future.

As for how things worked out after his friend betrayed him, well, you're going to have to read the book to find that one out yourself. But suffice it to say that I was on the edge of my seat.
I really appreciated the overall message in this book and how the ending worked out. Definitely worth a read! I give it 5 out of 5.

Have you always dreamed of winning big through the Lottery? Randy Rush won big and in 13 Billion to One we learn what that actually cost him!
As I was reading this book, I visualized a documentary. Randy's story is quite compelling. Yes, he made mistakes, yes he was taken advantage of, and yes he had every right to be angry. I was most impressed by the section of the book that led him to the determination to properly channel his anger, his commitment to battling white collar crime, and the reveal of the ultimate generosity of his spirit.
A cautionary tale of lessons learned, but definitely a worthwhile read. 3.5
I accessed my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.