Born to Lose: Memoirs of a Compulsive Gambler [Paperback]

Bill Lee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2005

"My history of gambling really began before I was born." So opens Bill Lee's self-told story of gambling addiction, which is set in San Francisco's Chinatown and steeped in a culture where it is not unheard of for gamblers to lose their children to a bet. From wagering away his beloved baseball card collection in third grade to forfeiting everything he owned at blackjack tables in Las Vegas, every new and terrifying loss validated Lee's feelings of worthlessness. With gritty honesty and true humility, Lee describes what gambling addiction feels like and looks like from the inside. "Everything was a blur to me," Lee writes about a gambling jag that brought him to financial ruin. "I was in such a reckless and self-destructive frame of mind that I would have bet my life if required. In a way, thats what I was doing. I was that far gone from reality." In the end, however, Born to Lose is a memoir of hope as Lee reveals how recovery from his gambling addiction has been possible through the Twelve Step program.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A gambling addiction can be as destructive and as life-altering as any other addiction, and former human resources exec and Lake Tahoe regular Lee has a story to prove it. Breezily written and compelling, Lee's book chronicles his slow descent. He starts by reminiscing about his 1950s and '60s San Francisco childhood, about the genetic aspects of such addictions (Lee's Chinese grandfather was sold as a young boy to pay off his own father's gambling debts), and about Lee's father's struggles with gambling. The author's own addictions flare up when he plays the stock market (which he persuasively describes as legalized gambling), and when he needs to escape the emotional pressures of his high-stress consulting job. After falling tens of thousands of dollars into debt, Lee finally finds the strength to attend a Gambler's Anonymous meeting, and the remainder of the book describes his difficult recovery. As a memoir of addiction, this work is hardly as lurid as some other, more popular chronicles. What sets it apart are the details about the ways in which Lee's Chinese heritage played into his addiction and healing, providing an unusual look at the issue. Agent, Susan Rabiner. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Although the title of this book makes it sound like it might be a movie-of-the-week, true-confessions type of tearjerker, it is not. In one sense, it's a very straightforward account of a man's self-destructive tendencies and his battle to find some way to live with them. But look more closely, and you will find the deeply affecting, often frightening story of a man who was doomed almost from the day he was born. Lee came out of the kind of family few of us can imagine: an alcoholic, sexually abusive, compulsive-gambler father; a suicidal, possibly schizophrenic mother; an older brother who beat the author "to a bloody pulp" on a regular basis. By the time he was 8 years old, Lee had developed an -obsessive-compulsive disorder; by age 10, he was playing (very badly) blackjack and poker on a regular basis. The author's perceptiveness, his ability to see his own flaws and to avoid falling into the trap of self-pity (or blaming others for his own actions), make this story of self-destruction and redemption surprisingly powerful. David Pitt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Hazelden (April 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592851533
• ISBN-13: 978-1592851539
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #80,734 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #96 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Recovery > Twelve-Step Programs

More About the Author

Bill Lee was born and raised in San Francisco's Chinatown. His first book, "Chinese Playground: A Memoir," was published in 1999. In 2005, Hazelden Publishing released his second book, "Born to Lose: Memoirs of a Compulsive Gambler." Both books have been reprinted. Lee has been featured on television, including the History Channel, A&E, PBS, Fox Network, CBS (affiliate), and Spike.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book About a Gambling Survivor!!!, June 30, 2005

By 

Stephen Pletko "Uncle Stevie" (London, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Born to Lose: Memoirs of a Compulsive Gambler (Paperback)

+++++

This book, by author, writer, and entrepreneur Bill Lee, tells the story of his gambling addiction, "which spans more than forty years and includes [his] fifteen-year involvement with Gamblers Anonymous."

Lee's history of gambling (blackjack and the stock market were his favorite games), believe it or not, began "before [he] was born." Then we are told how gambling overtook his life and how winning validated his self-worth. By the time he became an adult, Lee was "obsessed with money." However, Lee recognized he had a serious problem and was able to travel the very bumpy road to recovery through the practice of a Twelve Step program.

This book is divided into two parts. Part one entitled "My drug of choice" consists of eleven chapters. Part two entitled "The road to recovery" consists of seven chapters. There is also an epilogue along with two appendices.

This book is very easy to read. Lee includes psychological terms in his main narrative and defines everything quite well so you're never lost. His writing style is straight forward and to the point.

In my opinion, the strongest thing about this book is Lee's complete honesty. He tells the reader everything (and I mean everything) about what went on during this turbulent time of his life. The result for me is that I found myself rooting for him.

Finally, whom is this book meant for? I would say anybody who is interested in knowing about addictions (like myself). It also should be of benefit to those patients and families who are struggling with gambling problems as well as the therapists who treat them.

In conclusion, this is a fascinating book that details the life of a gambling addict and how he gradually overcame his demons. It is a must-read for those who don't want to be sucked into the miserable life of gambling!!

(first published 2005; preface; acknowledgements; 2 parts or 18 chapters with epilogue; main narrative 270 pages; 2 appendices)

+++++

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn't put it down!, February 25, 2007

By 

S.S.S. (Torrance, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Born to Lose: Memoirs of a Compulsive Gambler (Paperback)

This is such an interesting book! I was looking for a book on gambling addictions, picked up this book, and finished it in 2 days. Bill tells his story without any self-pity or self-glorification.

As a compulsive gambler myself who has been clean for a year and 3 years before that, it gave me perspective on how insidious this addiction can be. A must read for anyone who suspects they might be a compulsive gambler.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for Compulsive Gamblers, April 4, 2005

By 

Teri W. "LDG 12/7/03" (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Born to Lose: Memoirs of a Compulsive Gambler (Paperback)

Born to Lose: Memoirs of a Compulsive Gambler is so much more than a story about winning and losing money through gambling. It's a story of a life, and how a life is molded and changed by all experiences.

Bill Lee's book is compelling on many levels. It is a fascinating glimpse into growing up in San Francisco's Chinatown; overcoming obstacles; ego-driven behavior; substituting addictions and human frailty.

As a compulsive gambler, I wasn't sure what to expect while reading this book. Sometimes reading about other people's gambling exploits can "trigger" gambling ideation. With "Born to Lose" it's important for the reader to keep reading to the end of each section on gambling outings to reinforce the inevitable outcome. I started to read this book as a gambler, and finished reading it as a person who can relate to so much of this story.

"Born to Lose" is a title that refers to much more than gambling. Bill Lee's life has been devoted to attempting to overcome his birthright. Through descriptions of love, loss, obsessions, hard work and many attempts at recovery, Mr. Lee provides a myriad of emotions for the reader to share.