Customer Reviews

Born to Lose: Memoirs of a Compulsive Gambler

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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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)

+++++

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.

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.

I came across this book while doing research on compulsive gambling. I bought the book in hopes that I would have a better understanding of the addiction, and since the author himself is a recovering addict it would give me some insight on how to deal with my loved one who is suffering from the same problem. After reading Bill Lee's "Born to Lose", I knew that there is hope still and that one can actually overcome an addiction and not feel like it's the end of the world. What I loved most about the book was that he was so open and honest. I began to realize the similarities that Bill and my friend had which gave me a better understanding on how to deal with this situation, but also assured me that with support and proper treatment my friend would battle his addiction one day. His story gives you an idea of what actually runs through a gambler's mind and how their thought process works. This for me was one of the most helpful things I learned.

I strongly recommend that not only compulsive gamblers should read this book but also for those who have loved ones who suffer from this illness. If you are one of those people who can't even begin to comprehend why compulsive gamblers do what they do, than this also is a book for you to read. Being ignorant about this addiction will never help your loved one get back on track.

I thank you Mr. Lee for opening up your life to the public. More over I
thank you for your honesty, because I do not think there are many books like this that give the true reality of what this addiction can do to addicts themselves and their families.

This memoir about a man and his addiction to gambling is simply riveting.

Lee takes us back to his childhood and details for us the beginning of what would be the fight of his life.

While extremely scary, it is good for all of us to see how easily we can fall into addiction (of any kind) trying to simply live our daily lives.

Lee does an excellent job of showing us this, while his writing style is tight and to the point.

I found myself rooting for him and admiring his dedication to his 12 step program. I do, however, wonder about his knowledge of the Traditions which talk about anonymity in the media and the press. I am pretty sure having your pictures and full name on the cover of the book may be a breach of anonymity.

Still, I appreciate his total honesty. We need more books like this one.

I am a recovering compulsive gambler. I stumbled across Bill Lee's book
in the "addiction" section of a book store. There weren't any other books concerned with compulsive gambling, so I bought "born to lose." I couldn't put this book down!! What a truly realistic story. While every G.A. story is unique, there are always some similarities that bind us all together.Bill's story will hit home on many of the same experiences we've all had.It will take the reader through the progressive phases of gambling and right on back up through the progressive phases of recovery.

This is a must read for anyone suffering from compulsive gambling. I would especially encourage members who have surrendered to G.A. to read
"born to lose". Ultimately, it is a story of hope and perseverance. Lee's
willingness to get his story out there is a fine example of working the
recovery program and,in particular, the 12th Step.

Thank you for sharing your journey with us and best wishes on your continued recovery!!!

Bill Lee's Born to Lose: memoirs of a Compulsive Gambler is an amazingly honest and candid look at the life of an extremely intelligent, warm person that has the illness of compulsive gambling.
As the wife of a compulsive gambler, I would strongly suggest that anyone who has a loved one with this illness to read the book. There is comfort in reading this that the gambler as well as family members are not alone. It truly allows you to get in his mind and understand this illness. It's educating and gives hope that anyone that has a gambling problem can live a happy life if they seek help. Even as a family member of a compulsive gambler, it has helped me in so many ways! You won't be able to put it down! Great Book!!

I bought this book because I am concerned for a friend of mine who is a compulsive gambler. I wanted to figure out how he thinks, what drives him to do what he does. This book explained all that and much more. It explained to me that gambling is an addiction/disease that is difficult to overcome by yourself. The gambler needs help but often will not seek it out. GA information is in the book also as are the 12 steps. Bill Lee and my friend are have the same personality. I really learned alot about my freind and I hope someday he will seek out the information in this book for himself.

My name is Dr. Eric Geffner and I am a psychologist in Los Angeles who specializes in the treatment of gambling addiction. I found this book to be an accurate protrayal of the PROCESS of recovery from a serious and potentially deadly mental disorder. Mr. Lee's long path from denial to recovery, back into denial and finally back into recovery is the exact process many people experience in struggling with this disorder. It is my belief that by reading this a person with a gambling disorder might shorten one of their relapse phases or even avoid making the same mistakes as Mr. Lee. I feeling that this is one of the most honest and helpful books out there. I often suggest it to my patients. Although there was some minor issue I had with book, it has been several years now since I read it, and all that I do recall is that it is an essential read for the gambling addict or their family. I do recall that Mr. Lee's relapses were particularly painful and dangerous at times which is a more severe level of disturbance than many people will reach. For more information on gambling addiction please do visit my website at [...].

I could not put this book down. This book gives great information and insight about this devastating disease. Not only do you read about somone's journey through the addiction into recovery but you learned alot of useful facts. I think this book is good for someone suffering from this addiction so they know they are not alone, their loved ones, and anyone working with people with this addiction. I will recommend this book to my students, patients and their families. !!!