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Beating the Odds  By  cover art

Beating the Odds

By: Brandon Lang, Stanley Cohen
Narrated by: Charles Carroll
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Editorial reviews

Sports handicapper Brandon Lang discusses his life with candor in Beating the Odds: The Rise, Fall, and Resurrection of a Sports Handicapper. Narrator Charles Carroll’s brisk and assertive tone communicates Lang’s swagger with aplomb. Lang’s ability to predict wins and losses raises him to fame and gains him wealth. Once on top Lang fails spectacularly, subsequently resurrecting his career with the help of the Internet. Along the way Lang manages to option his own story in Hollywood and see it made into a good movie. This book is more a brag session than a self-reflective tome, but fans of the scrappy entrepreneur archetype will enjoy the ride.

Publisher's summary

The incredible rags-to-riches-to-rags-to-riches true-life story of acclaimed handicapper Brandon Lang, subject of the motion picture Two for the Money (starring Al Pacino and Matthew McConaughey), Beating the Odds describes in colorful detail Lang’s rise from small-time sports-phone tout to big time national exposure, his dramatic fall, and his subsequent rebirth in the Internet age. The book also describes the series of improbable events, which took place while he was working as a golf caddie in Los Angeles, that eventually led Lang to the optioning of his story to Hollywood and the making of Two for the Money.

©2009 Brandon Lang (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

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Great listen!

Would you listen to Beating the Odds again? Why?

Yes. This was probably one of my favorite books I have ever listened to. The story was great and the impact was amazing.

Any additional comments?

Fantastic book. Well written and well executed. Love it.....

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Enjoyed the Book

I was interested in sports betting so I found this book interesting. It's an autobiography but it also has good insights into sports betting and some good tips on strategies for beginner or moderate level sports betters. First 2-3 chapters drag a little but then it picks up.

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about half as interesting as the author thinks

Narcissistic. The author is so in love with himself that one begins to wonder how much embellishment is going on. Then the last few chapters pivot away from a biography, becomes a how-to, and then a magazine article.

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Not worth the time

When the author referred to himself as a God, it was time to stop listening.

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1 person found this helpful

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Was this a commercial?

This seemed like a commercial for the author’s tout service with a side of celebrity gossip. Would not recommend this book to anyone.

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