Lucky Me
A Memoir of Changing the Odds
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Narrated by:
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Rich Paul
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Dennis Logan
About this listen
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A memoir of will, success, and the luck we make—from the founder and CEO of Klutch Sports Group and one of the most influential figures in the multibillion-dollar sports industry
“One of the greatest stories of growing up in America’s ghettos and overcoming adversity.”—Jay-Z
“The minute I met Rich, I knew he was different.”—LeBron James, from the Foreword
A BET BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
There’s a story about Rich Paul that everyone knows: A twenty-one-year-old kid from Cleveland who sells sports jerseys out of his car meets a high school basketball phenom named LeBron James at an airport—the two become friends and forge a decades-long partnership that reinvents the business of sports. That random meeting might seem like the lucky break that changed Paul’s life. But a moment of good fortune means nothing without the struggle that gets you there. And the truth is, Paul had always been lucky.
Rich Paul became a gambler at an early age—his fast mind and gift for finding an edge made him a devastating dice roller who could hold his own with grown men, win big, and walk away alive. Shooting dice wasn’t just a pastime; it was a way to earn money for his family as his mother struggled under the weight of drug addiction. He learned the secret science of dice in the same place he found all the lessons of his young life: the corner store his father operated, the center of the neighborhood’s frantic action. Paul’s father had another family but kept his son close working at the store. Paul dreamed of becoming a star athlete, but the streets were where he thrived, building a lucrative enterprise on shaky ground. When he found himself at a dangerous crossroads, he summoned the teachings of his past to create a different future.
Listeners will follow the riveting journey of a young Rich Paul narrated by the Paul of today, who looks back with wit and insight, drawing out the lessons he learned at every stage—about business, people, and the values that lead to success. It’s the inspiring story of the luck that’s all around us, if we know where to look.
©2023 Rich Paul (P)2023 Random House AudioYou may also enjoy...
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The day after future NBA superstar Chris Paul signed his letter of intent to play college basketball for Wake Forest, he received a world-shattering phone call. His grandfather, Nathaniel "Papa" Jones, a pillar of the Winston-Salem community where he owned and operated the first Black-owned service station in North Carolina, was mugged and ultimately died from a heart attack resulting from the assault. His funeral filled the largest church in the county, which held over 1,000 people. He was 61 years old.
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What the critics say
“The minute I met Rich, I knew he was different. . . . [He] helped me find my strength. Rich’s superpower is understanding what people truly need. So when you flip these pages and witness the kind of pain we felt growing up, don’t flinch. Hard truths make us stronger.”—LeBron James, from the Foreword
“This book is an American tale of ‘against all odds’—and I believe young people in similar environments will see themselves in Lucky Me, one of the greatest stories of growing up in America’s ghettos and overcoming adversity.”—Jay-Z
“Rich Paul spells out why businesses need to recognize that elite talent can take the most unlikely paths. By treating people the right way, demanding excellence at every turn, and utilizing the lessons he learned from his father, Paul turned his opportunity into one of the great, modern-day success stories in sports.”—Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN Chairman
What listeners say about Lucky Me
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Kindle Customer
- 2023-11-01
Need some inspiration?
No need to think about it, go ahead and pick up a copy of this book to find yourself in a story about an unexpected rise from a path uncommon but familiar to those who see themselves being more than the circumstances they are currently in
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- Bwanka
- 2024-08-27
10/10 - The Realest
After reading this book I feel like I know Rich Paul growing up. He made the most out of all his circumstances and didn’t sugar coat anything. Mad respect Rich 👊🏿
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- Amazon Customer
- 2023-11-05
Great book, feels like i know Rich
This was a really good breakdown of Rich Paul’s life. I always wondered who he was and how he got in the position he is in. He had some really interesting real life situations that brought him to where he is now in life. I’m not rooting for greater success for this brother now!
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- Shawn
- 2023-12-06
amazing read thanks rich
what a read very interesting, good pace great story, recommended to everyone. love it from start to end
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- Amazon Customer
- 2024-01-01
Raw
Enjoyed the details of how Rich was brought up and even better that he tells the story himself. A must listen to anyone who was raised in the inner city of a black neighborhood. You know exactly what he's talking about and the characters he grew up with. Everyone can relate to the ins and outs of what goes on in the hood.
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