Rating: 
Summary: Jesse Bores Me
Review: I used to be a big Jesse Ventura fan, as a wrestler and a politician. No one was happier than me when Jesse was elected Governor and no one applauded him more when he sneered at his detractors in such an amusing manner. Lately, though, Jesse's WWF act is wearing thin. He plays the beleaguered good guy to everyone else's bad guy so often that I find myself yawning and flipping the channel when he comes on TV.Let's not forget that this is the same Jesse Ventura who is pals with Donald Trump. The same Jesse who refereed a WWF match for pay while in office. Who has spewed his ignorant racial comments about the Irish and Native Americans. Who did an interview with High Times magazine. I found it hard to take this book seriously just because I find it hard to take Jesse seriously anymore.
Rating: 
Summary: my hero
Review: If only we could vote for a guy like this ... Never in my 35 years of living on this planet/country did I ever feel a person running for public office worthy of my vote. I am truly amazed. Jesse Ventura mirrors all of my own thoughts and feelings.
Rating:
Summary: Too bad he won't run for President
Review: If you've read Tom Clancy's Executive Orders and the recent Bear and the Dragon, you know that Clancy's main protagonist, Jack Ryan, is the President of the United States. And because he is not a political operator, other politicians, the media and even other governments try to tear him down. Reading Jesse Ventura's book, I was struck by an eerie sense of déjà vu. The stories he tells of the political sniping he has had to endure from the established body politic and the media are remarkably similar to what Clancy described of Ryan's experiences. This book should be issued to all American civics classes in our schools. And the most important part, the part to be marked with the yellow highlighter, is the part that says that we, the voting public, must take back control of our government from the career politicians and spit-licking sycophants that surround them. What hurts the most for me is the (justified) media-bashing that Ventura does. As a member of the media, I have seen first hand the petty bias that my profession is capable of. That's why I won't run for office myself, because I know what my "colleagues" are capable of. I'd apologize for their behavior, but I'm not high enough on the totem pole to make it stick. Hopefully, I can reach that high someday, because I believe the power of the press can be used judiciously and properly. After reading this book, I remembered a line from the late Robert A. Heinlein's book, Time Enough For Love. To paraphrase; "If you are part of a society that votes, do so. If you don't know who or what to vote for, then at least know what you want to vote against." If there was a space on the ballot to do so, I would write Jesse's name in for President. There isn't one, mostly because the career politicians don't want it there. Keep talking like this, Jesse, and we might just draft you for the job.
Rating:
Summary: A tremendous wake up call
Review: It is my sincerest hope that this man runs for president. I feel that the various criticisms layed down about this book are completely preposterous. As for Roger Dawson's idiotic claim that Mr. Ventura is a bigot, the governor clearly states that he was taken out of context during the playboy interview, and that he is a Christian. This book is a dead on criticism of the two party system and how they stay entrenched in power, and he gives clear cut solutions on how to put the power back in the hands of the people. The title of this book is a call to the american people to get involved in the poltical process and to hold the two parties accountable. An outstanding book.
Rating:
Summary: I have no time to Govern
Review: Jesse "The Mouth" Ventura must enjoy his 4 years of fame while he's out writing books and taking trips on the tax payers expense. Jesse leaves out the fact that the reason the "Media Jackals" are out to get him is due to the fact that Ventura wont give people a straight answer and he hides behind his spokesman Wodley and has been a pain in the rear end to the press and citizens who respectfully would like an explanation for his actions. Jesse has a style that can't be mimmicked by anyone else and that's why I won't dump on the book and give it a one star. The book is the opinions of a person who is very blunt and to the point and his views are hardly mainstream. Before you wan't him for President you need to take a closer exam at Minnesota during his 4 years (thank heavens it will only be 1 term)and read the articles that will show that some of the "Politicians" that he had beefs with were angry at the fact that Jesse didn't exactly listen to them or he was off on a book promotion tour at the time they needed him the most. I can get more into details of the truth v. Ventura but all you have is 1,000 words
Rating: 
Summary: Good Read - Inspirational
Review: Jesse Ventura's second book is a great follow up to his first. He discusses many "scandals" and muckraking that journalists try to pen him with while dispelling them with his "take." Unfortunately, too many folks believe everything the media spews and rarely give the time or attention to those they blast. Ventura's book is defensive in nature, as it should be. It is also inspirational. He challenges all of us to stand up to the status quo and do something about the helplessness many of us feel. Ventura is truly the "thinker" and everything about his ideology should scare the far left and right. He argues based upon merit of the subject, not what he believes he is supposed to think. He is brutally honest and that is refreshing. What I like most is that when I read it, I felt like he was talking directly to me with his own voice. My main objection to give a full-five star status is that a few points get dredged up a few too many times in my honest opinion. However, that is just a difference in how I believe a book is most effective. It is not a book that is as fun as his first, "I Ain't Got Time To Bleed" as it doesn't explore his past. But it shouldn't either, since it has already been done. It's a shame that he'll not run again, but if you read the book, you'll understand his beliefs. I don't necessrily go along with all of them, but it amazes me how close we are politically and ideologically!
Rating:
Summary: Shows he's really grown into his office.
Review: Jesse's second book shows his maturity on a range of issues that he was not familiar with when he took office. He has proven to be a capable administrator whose views are determined by a reasoned value system, not bribes. His particular call to civic engagement and political accountability should be heeded.
Rating: 
Summary: Some Good Points
Review: Jessie Ventura's follow up book to Aint Got Time To Bleed makes some good points about standing up for yourself especially with today's manipulative media. Many journalists do just want to sell a good story. Jessie's points about the Religious Right and Left, relations with China, BiPartism, and Racism are well taken. However, where Jessie has good intentions, there are some obvious political ploys that he is playing. How many other govenors travel to Japan on business? Isn't this more of a federal matter? Some of his commentary on Wrestling TV seems to contradict his views on the Washington Redskins Football team. I remember when he used to refer to Tito Santana as chico or boy and described him as having a Hot Latin Temper. I can overlook such comments as the WWF is not meant to be taken seriously. However, others might think otherwise. Also, Jessie seems to have too many side jobs most recently his involvement with the XFL. Although I admit to enjoying his commentating and style, Mr. Ventura does seem to have hidden ulterior motives. A final point, this sequel repeats to much information that was said in I Don't Have Time To Bleed. This sequel of Jessie's is a worthy read but understand the motive behind it and do not think of Jessie as a total saint. A 3 1/2 star rating seems fair.
Rating:
Summary: Flawed, but inspiring.
Review: Listening to Jesse on the audiobook has to be a totally different experience from reading it. He whines a little, explains a little, illustrates his points a little and generally makes a decent case for a third way of politics. His call for involvement, in any party, for any candidate, in any election is a challenging statement. His points here seem to resonate the clearest of all. If you're not involved to the best of your ability and time and effort for what you truly believe then we are doomed to a government of the PAC, for the PAC and by the PAC.
Rating:
Summary: Plain Talk from Jesse Ventura
Review: Minnesota Governor Janos' (Jesse Ventura's) first book "I Ain't
Got Time To Bleed" was both a fascinating autobiography and a
thoughtful political statement. In his second book, Governor Janos
describes his experiences as Governor. He also discusses problems
facing Minnesota and the United States, and his decision to leave the
National Reform Party. Governor Janos' won his Governorship as the
Reform Party candidate, the highest electoral victory won by that
political party. Governor Janos' victory resembled that of former
President Jimmy Carter, an outsider who won upon a platform of
reforming the Federal bureaucracy. President Carter had limited
success reforming the Federal bureaucracy, and he had difficulty with
an unfamiliar national news media. Governor Janos describes how he
attracted the best people from the Democratic, Republican, and Reform
parties to work in his Administration. His strong tripartisan
Administration has permitted Governor Ventura to reduce state debt by
"cutting the pork" from Minnesota spending. This spending
reduction makes him unpopular with some Minnesota legislators and
their allies in the news media. In nearly half of this book the
Governor assumes a new role: educator. Governor Janos feels that the
issues affecting Minnesota and the United States are not discussed
openly and fairly. He discusses these issues plainly and he states
his opinions clearly. This is a *very* strong position. I do not
agree with all of Governor Janos' positions. On page 163, Governor
Janos proposes having armed personnel working undercover in schools to
prevent events such as the shootings in Columbine Colorado. I
disagree with Governor Janos because I believe that an armed person's
first responsibility is to control his firearm. Armed personnel
wearing ankle holsters will get jostled daily, and gossipy students
will observe that these individuals are armed. *If* armed individuals
are required in schools, I believe that high visibility, uniformed
police officers should bear this responsibility. I also believe that
these officers should be rotated periodically back to regular duty,
both to keep them fresh and also to continue their professional
advancement. On page 157 Governor Janos states "Drug addiction
is a consenual crime, it's a 'crime against oneself.", and on
page 158 Governor Janos proposes decriminalizing drug abuse. I do
*not* believe that drug abuse is merely a "crime against
oneself". Some recreational drugs (e.g., "speed")
cause violent or paranoid behaviour. Also, drug abuse financially
victimizes society by wasting money that could be used to feed,
clothe, house, and educate. I believe that the penalties for drug use
*should* be re-examined, but I also believe that the Government should
continue vigorously prosecuting large volume drug
suppliers. Governor Janos is an interesting man. He writes clearly
and candidly, he discusses a wide range of important topics, and he
makes you think. I recommend this book.
| 
