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Anonymous
Posted March 26, 2008
Ugel's Memoir Reveals Gambling Addiction
Money for Nothing: One Man's Journey Through the Dark Side of Lottery Millions--an intriguing title for an intriguing book just out by Edward Ugel. So you like to gamble? Maybe just buy lottery tickets? Reading this non-fiction, astonishing book may be the best thing you've ever done for yourself. Ugel tells all in his story about his years as both a gambler, and a salesman, and then as an employee of a company that offered upfront cash to lottery winners in exchange for their prize money. You've all seen the commercial for some company that offers cash that is due to you. All of the people cry out from wherever they are that it's their money and they want it now. If that company, called The Firm, in this book, is one that caters only to lottery winners, however, there are oftentimes millions of dollars involved--and even though the winner may have won big, they may be as poor as ever! One of the key issues is whether the particular lottery allows a lump sum as opposed to long-term payments. Selection of a lump sum has not always been available. Additionally, when you see the picture of the winner getting a large check with a large sum identified on it, the amount is always the amount before taxes! Horror story after horror story for lottery winners are shared in this book--all names changed, of course. Ugel has tried hard to write in an upbeat fashion in telling his story. His chapter titles are catchy. He ridicules some of his own actions and invites the reader to smile and commiserate with his choices. But he's not really telling about a fun-filled life. The book, in my opinion, is very much an expose' of this type of financial company, albeit though they are acting legally. Additionally, Ugel's epilogue, written in a time schedule/diary fashion reveals exactly what the addicted gambler goes through each time he gives in to this vice. Ugel has been a gambler since the age of 19, working at jobs to earn enough money so he could go gamble. When he was called to a bar by a friend, where a potential supervisor was drinking and smoking, Ugel thought he had finally found the place where he belonged. Indeed, while his boss was there at the The Firm with him, he quickly moved into big money and promotions, each time his boss moved up. But no matter how far up he went, he at last began to hate working with the man and quit, even though he was offered almost twice his present salary to stay. Ugel struggled through the following time, until he was called and asked to return. His former boss had quit and he was being offered his job. This had been what he had always wanted. He believed he could do the job and was soon back at The Firm. Ugel did all right until his former boss opened his own business as a major competitor and quickly started winning potential customers away from The Firm. Ugel was finally relieved to be fired, for even though he was a super salesman, he realized that he had treated his job, and allowed his subordinates to also treat their jobs, as if each 'lead' was merely a 'gamble' and since there was always the potential for high commissions without working too hard, he realized that though being a better 'gambler' than his former boss, he was not even close to being the kind of manager that his boss had been. As he said, 'a gambler is a gambler is a gambler' (p. 212). He and his staff were quite willing to gamble both with their own money...and with the lottery winners' money! Many of us have our own addictions. If gambling is yours...read this book! If gambling is not your particular vice, read it...and insert your own predilection. For underneath the humor, Ugel has written a story that just may help you rethink what you are doing, to yourself, to your family, and on your job! Thank you, Edward Ugel, for sharing your life in such an open way and making us realize that Money for Nothing may be more trouble than anyone could imagine!
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Anonymous
Posted September 20, 2007
Giving this to everyone I know!!!
From the opening page to the final chapter, I was enthralled by Money for Nothing. Ugel should be a stand up comedian and I hope he puts another book out soon. What an amazing story from start to finish. Anyone who has ever played the lottery should pick up this book. Anyone who has ever been in a casino should pick up this book. I am giving this book to everyone I know!!!
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Anonymous
Posted September 20, 2007
An extremely funny eye opener!
To put it bluntly, this book was the FUNNIEST non-fiction book I have read this year!! Yeah, I play the lottery and have dreams of hitting it big (who doesn't?). But I for the life of me can't imagine hitting it big and then losing it all!!! This book was kinda voyeuristic for me because I got a glimpse into a lifestyle that I (might) like. I also got a glimpse into the lives of people who won everthing and then LOST everything! I always wondered what goes through the mind of these people and how they lose it all. Well... Ed gives us a rare and funny insight to them and how he was once part of a company that helped them down this road! People before me have said that this book is funny and it it!! This book will have you laughing and shaking your head! Ed has an extremely funny writing style and is very entertaining. I usually avoid non-fiction like Hillary Clinton and honest doners, but something about this book was just...well... just honest. This book should go straight to the top of your 'to read' list.
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Anonymous
Posted September 20, 2007
Humorous & Fascinating Page Turner
I love a quick read, A BOOK THAT YOU CAN'T PUT DOWN, and 'Money for Nothing' is definitely one of these. Mr. Ugel writes with humor and candor about his time spent in the lump sum lottery business. He tells real stories about real winners, many of whom wind up losers in the end. The book is also a memoir about a guy in his 20s and 30s who loves to gamble, loves his family, and tries to figure out who he is while working in this somewhat bizarre niche industry. I laughed out loud numerous times, and my mouth dropped open in amazement with some of the fascinating stories. If you want a well-written, funny, intriguing book, then buy this one now.
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Anonymous
Posted September 19, 2007
Not worth the time of day
I guess one can only say that this book falls into the 'OJ Genre' - another story by someone trying to make a buck off of something they would have been wiser not to talk about - anyone bothering to read this either has more time on their hands than they should or enjoys poorly written books.
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Anonymous
Posted September 18, 2007
GREAT read - couldn't put it down
Fantastic, fascinating memoir and behind-the-scenes look at lotteries and the sad situations of many lottery winners. Hilarious, self-depracating, thought-provoking and at times, heartwrenching. LOVED this book!
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