The Billionaire Boys Club

by Sue Horton

Recounts the shocking true story of a group of wealthy young men from Los Angeles who bonded together as investment partners but wound up as murder conspirators

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

354 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1989

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Up date: The new movie version (2o18) featuring Kevin Spacey earned $126 nationwide on its first day showing. The original 1987 movie was, because of the sensational and well known story behind it, a pretty popular and well received film.

I just finished I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer and someone asked me if I could recall other true crime stories I had liked/been gripped by, and this one, written by an old friend's wife, is well-written about a famous mid eighties crime/trial. I also read The Red Parts and Jane's Murder by Maggie Nelson. Oh, things like The Road to Perdition, of course. I am sure there have been more, but all for of these are really well-written. Of course, a lot of fiction is loosely based on actual events, so it's maybe a slippery category. For instance, is Macbeth more fiction than non-fiction, based on a series of actual crimes he committed prior to and during his short reign as King of Scotland?

Horton's book is well-researched about two despicably rich boys that knock off mummy and daddy to get a greater share of daddy's fortune than they had already been spending. Was made into a tv movie, too, which I recall seeing. We love to despise the rich, such as those who buy 15K ostrich coats or those who complain about vandals unmooring their $40 mil yachts. This one is a journalist's account, compared to the feminist-cultural theorist Nelson's self-reflective account.

[Neal Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than a description of the crimes of the “club” members, the book evokes their 1980s Los Angeles milieu. One example: when one of their associates, and subsequent murder victim, was at a dinner hosted by Andy Warhol, he was asked what he did, and replied that he was a thief.

Ostensibly an investment bureau, the “club” was also a personality cult of its leader, Joe Hunt, and his “paradox philosophy” which basically said that ends justified means. The “boys” were desperate to show their rich parents that they could emulate them, and Hunt seemed to be a shining example. When the group's above-board investments flopped, several of the members tried to recoup their losses by kidnapping and murder.

[Eletta0925 Fouche · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s kind of mind boggling how these guys found themselves tied to a guy like Joe Gamsky(Hunt). I mean that Paradox Philosophy was some batshit crazy talk. All in all I think Sue Horton produced a well written book. It’s hard to reconcile myself to the fact that 1. Jim walked free 2. Reza was a complete idiot 3. Ben got shafted 4. Dean was an accomplice to murder but got full immunity, and biggest of all 5. Joe although the mastermind behind it all, had blood on his hands by proxy.....
TV movie was pretty great with Judd Nelson.

[Karen Bullock · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for this detailed and in-depth account into a sad and shady look at a group of "must impress" youngsters who couldn't bother to go to college, finish/graduate and do something productive with their lives.
Instead they followed a con artist who was greed filled & had more fun playing with other people's money.
Saddened by the lack of motivation on the BBC's part to actually be constructive in their own futures. Affluent youngsters that just don't seem to get it.
Authors coverage was beyond impressive.

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very good read. I especially liked the way the author handled the courtroom proceedings, giving an impression of who gave what information to the jury without bogging down in word-for-word transcripts. With that said, I was left with a number of large, maddening unanswered questions at the end of this book. I regret not having read this years sooner.

[Kim Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw the TV miniseries while I was in college and have been wanting to read the book ever since. 30 years later it was still interesting to me. The BBC was an investment and social club in southern California that began in 1983. The organization was run as a Ponzi scheme which afforded the members a lavish lifestyle for a short run. When the money dried up and things went south, some of the members turned to murder. The whole thing is crazy!
An excellent true crime story that paints an excellent portrait of an evil sociopath.

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

just unbelievable....truth is stranger than fiction

[Mike Worley · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars, well written true crime by Sue Horton.

[Think-On-It]

If you'd like to know what I thought of this book, please contact me directly and I'd be happy to discuss it with you.

All the best,

- TB

[Emma Niessink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely mesmerizing. Unreal how many people believed that Paradox Philosophy. NOW SOMEBODY FIND RON LEVIN!

[J.j. Massa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when it was still relatively new--what a story. It was a bit scary to me, only in that people were capable of that when, most likely, they'd only have to spend a few years in a minimum security facility if they were caught. Joe Hunt, what a character--he still has people believing he was right.

this was a great book--the insight into the members of the BBC was spot on.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this book 2 years ago. It was my own paperback and I needed to take a book when I took my grandson to Magic Springs water park. Then it got stuck on a shelf. A few weeks ago my husband was watching a tv show on true crime and they talked about this case. Got my interest up so I went digging for the book!

[John Lyman]

Very interesting story. Highlights the existence of folks who have such persuasive abilities can do literally anything or convince almost anyone to do their bidding. Thank God Joe Hunt and some of this cohorts are in prison forever. Looking forward to reading "The Price of Experience".

[Carrie Siggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those true crime books that does what it's supposed to do - not let you put it down. Well reported, clearly written, I went into it thinking I'd probably just try it out, and emerged two days later.

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very tragic story. Very good read.