13 Billion to One: A Memoir: Winning the $50 Million Lottery Has Its Price

I’ve had multiple dreams and visions of winning the lottery, I’ve fought the fear of how will others treat me? Will I allow others to abuse me, my family or my faith? After reading this book, I’ve decided that I can’t change what other people do or don’t do I will need to stand up for what is right even in when people will push you to the brink you must face what God has ask of you with integrity and grit! Thank you Randy for sharing your experience, for remembering who you are and inspiring others to do the same!

Thank you to Rantanna Media and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.Imagine going to the corner store for pet food and finding out you have won the lottery and the amount is $50M! This is exactly what happened to Randy Rush when buying food for his cat, Conway Kitty.Randy, like all of us, thought he knew what he would do with his winnings if he ever won the lottery…he even had a to-do list. He made quick work of helping ease the financial burdens of his friends, traveling, splurging on cars and even attempted a donation to the church. Unfortunately, the saying more money more problems seems to be true. Enter the Crawford family….serial con artists.I found this book really interesting. You got to hear about Randy’s childhood struggles, which may been a factor in his desire to ignore his gut feeling and red flags during important decision making moments. There was also a lot of frustration hearing how true it is that money or hard times can show you who your true friends are. There were quite a few disappointments for Randy when it came to his friends.Also frustrating is how slowly justice can move. I commend Randy on pursuing justice because with the amount of money he won it would be quite easy to just cut his losses and move on from the Crawfords. I appreciate the sense of right and wrong and seeking justice that keeps you in emotional turmoil indefinitely.Some of my favorite parts of the story were hearing about his pets Huey, Coco and Conway Kitty. I also enjoyed hearing about Randy’s 50th birthday celebration and the work he was doing in Africa.A memoir that serves as a great cautionary tale for those that come into money…..get a money manager and an attorney right away. Protect yourself from others and from your own initial excitement of financial freedom.

(full disclosure--I know Randy Rush)A very good cautionary tale, and not just for lottery winners. There is little more frustrating in life than good dealing with evil. Evil (in this case, someone with absolutely no redeeming character points) has the advantage, even in the law. If you just don't care what people think. Don't mind lying and people knowing that you're lying, Are bereft of empathy or caring who you hurt, you can live luxuriously on the good nature and naivete of others. Randy could be thought of as naïve, but isn't that far preferable than having a criminal mind? Randy's own good nature and trusting personality were his worst character traits when it came to protecting himself.The book is wonderfully written. Not overly angry (although anyone who reads it and doesn't dream of punching someone's lights out is hard to imagine), but 'almost' sympathetic to those asocial vermin who are criminally narcissistic. Perhaps 'recognizes' is a better term than sympathetic. Those are sick people.Not only is the book interesting, its unfortunately necessary reading for anyone with money to invest. If you haven't fallen for a con man in your life, you've just never met a good one. Randy's efforts against white collar crime are admirable and needed. GBY

I liked the book! Very good and interesting.

This is a true story about a lottery winner who became a victim of a fraud and other real life situations that worth your time. The book is wonderfully written which makes it an easy read. This is an interesting lottery story that worth your time. I hope they make it a movie, it will be a good one (that would help Mr. Rush leave another legacy, apart from donations in Africa).

Ready this amazing memior in under 24 hours. It's a head spinner..and a cautionary tale for anyone who values their peace. I was used for a US Green Card by an inlaw and literally I felt so many connections and parallels to Randy's story. This world sadly is filled with just as many bloodsuckers as their are genuine people. I consider this to a self help biography and belive anyone who reads it will benefit. Keep up the great work your doing in Africa Randy!

I saw a podcast interview of Randy Rush as the guest. It was on Timothy Schultz’s YouTube channel. The book was a fast,read and I enjoyed it immensely. It was a cautionary tale of how friends, and family ,as well as,strangers want a piece , a very big piece , of the winnings. I wouldn’t be surprised that his story is made into a movie.

After reading Bloodsuckers (A book I highly recommend!), I thoroughly enjoyed this more personal account of the wild ride a $50M lottery winner faced. What is refreshing is the honest account and raw emotions that come from the fraud and deep betrayal from a close, personal friend. You can hear his voice jump from the page as if he is sitting beside you at a bar recounting the story.The story grabs you. Randy was a welfare kid with an incredible work ethic that pushed him to success before his lottery win. He is a deeply decent person who is exactly who you hope will win the lottery, because he uses it to give back. Yes he got conned by a charismatic snake in a suit, but he turns his experience into an opportunity to step back, reassess and leave a legacy to help educate children in poverty and make the world a better place!These days being restricted from normal activities made this the enjoyable, riveting book I needed. Randy, keep doing what you are doing. We need more of you in the world and zero Jeremy Crawford’s! Hoping that dude finds his way into prison is the near future!

Excellent book. Loved it. Read it in two sittings. Could not put it down. He is a natural story teller.Shame he had to go through, what he went through, but it is a great thing he wrote about it.Thank you Randy for sharing your journey with us. I wish you all the best for the future.

A really good page turner. Showing the highs and lows of a large lottery win. Incredible to hear about the evil of the Crawfords.

Highly recommended!! What a rollercoaster ride Mr Rush went through before and after his winnings. Makes you really think about life, whats important and also how greedy people can be to choose money over life long relationships. My 15 year old son just read the book and he couldnt put it down. So, its a great read for the whole family. Well done Mr Rush. Thank you for sharing your story!!

Blessing God and being a blessing with the resources God provided to him.