Rating: 
Summary: Finally, a political manifesto written for the common man!
Review: A well-written,interesting and extremely timely manifesto that doesn't pull any punches. Finally a political leader who lends dignity to his office without the pretense. Governor Ventura has written a serious prescription for this nations political woes. He doesn't shy away from squarely placing the blame where it belongs, on career politicians,fame seeking media jackals and most importantly, apathetic, lazy citizens. I can assure you Governor Ventura, you don't stand alone.
Rating: 
Summary: Remember, he is doing the best that he can!
Review: Although I currently live in Pennsylvania, I am a proud Minnesotan. Governor Ventura is my governor. However, as a student of political philosophy, it did not even begin to occur to me that Jesse the Body might be Jesse the Brain as well. After ready his book, Do I Stand Alone?, I am not positive what to think.I enjoyed Do I Stand Alone?. Political science it is not. But, this book does provide an insiders perspective on the workings of Minnesota's and the nation's political machinery. Governor Ventura does an admirable job detailing the media-money monster's hold on America's government, and he makes predictions about where we as a country are headed if things don't change. Governor Ventura is not an elitist, and his writing is aimed at about a high school level. The text is divided into short sections each headed by a catchy platitude. I found this style and other details of the writing to be ironic, given the author's negativity toward sound bytes and over-simplification. Jesse Ventura is certainly one of the most interesting politicians in office today, and his ideas are worth the quick read that they are. While buying his book does contribute to his personal wealth, it does not constitute a vote!
Rating: 
Summary: YES, YOU DO...GET OVER IT!!!!
Review: First, I have to say that I did like this book; when I first read it. Honestly, Mr. Ventura's positions are very close to my own and I'm sure I would have voted for him if I'd been in Minnesota. So if it's not his points that cost him the stars, what did? His attitude. Since his last year and a half in office became a minor disaster, it's only confirmed the hints in this book. Ventura is very much into himself and (like so many other's in our government halls), suprisingly unconcerned with the people. I say this because through anecdote after anecdote, a book on policy (and I believe Ventura COULD have written one if he'd lost the ego) became about what he's done and why he's done it. Still if you are a libertarian (l or L), there are some great things in here. Of course, they are better said elsewhere (all except for Ventura's deft criticism of republicrat government.) ...
Rating:
Summary: Everything I expected
Review: I must admit, being the avid reader that I am I did NOT read this book but instead listened to the three-hour audio book as I drove home from a vacation with my wife. I have a lot of collegiate training in the fields of philosophy. Ventura, who is quite impressive with his practical knowledge, is really just applying the laws of logic to political beliefs in his book. In the last quarter of his book (Side 2 of tape 2), he simply goes through the irrelevance of giving "ad hominem" ('to the man') attacks, "ad populum" (to the population) attacks, red herring (irrelevant) arguments and common fallacies of logic used by many in debates. He makes many points, giving examples of each kind of logical fallacy, and when he is finished all I could do was agree with him. I must say, with 7 years of university training in theology/philosophy Ventura is right up there with any famous philosopher. I especially enjoyed his insights on how the news media notoriously twists things around by making invalid points to "prove" something that is really just wrong. I would recommend this to anybody, especially those who are pursing philosophical training.
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: 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: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A Slam on the Political Establishment
Review: Political movements usually come from unusual places. I think it would be fair to say that we have not seen everything that Gov. Jesse Ventura has to offer to the shakeup of the established political machines of the Democrats and the Republicans. I have NOT yet read "I Ain't Got Time to Bleed" but I plan to go back to read it after I finished this book I received as a gift. I am not sure what he covers in the previous edition to the "Complete Guide to 'Body' Politics" as I will call it, that he did not cover in the 2nd volume. But I can guess. In this edition Ventura points out more of what his experiences as the chief executive of the state of Minnesota. There are several examples of political tugs-of-war he has with the Twin Cities media, the legislature, and other political organizations in that state. Many of these are boring simply becuase I am not from Minnesota--can I relate?. Any of these examples can give you an idea of the local issues in your own state I am sure. He makes a great case for the goal of a unicameral legislature, instead of the clunky, inefficient bicameral that most states have. As well as for the the streamlining of gov't so that it better serves that people by staying out of the way--and leaving many social programs to private organizations better equipped to handle those problems. Most of this book reads like a series of pro-wrestling promos. IN case you are unfamiliar with wrestling, a "promo" are those angry, blood-pumping, violent taunts and speeches that most pro-wrestlers give with some schmuck of a "reporter" holding a mic to their face and the wrestler pointing to the camera looking menacing ("Hulk Hogan!? You Prima-Donna! ON Saturday Night's Event, I am going to tear you UP! I am going to chew you up and spit your pulp on the mat!"). Most effective promos are only a minute or two long. Most of the book is sectioned off into subjects--but the segments are so short that I was left for wanted Mr. Vetura to elaborate more on his opinion or his plans for improvement. Jesse Ventura was the original "Straight Talk Express" before last year's John McCain named his bus. A book like this does get to the point and doesn't try to confuse the reader with stats and figures. It's safe to say that part of this is what makes his persona so popular in the political field. He's Ross Perot, except not quite so flakey. His critics that try and dismiss him as a "muscle-head" or someone that is an "embarassment" to public office are missing the point to everyday voter. In Ventura's opinion, lawyers are an embarassment to public office. People are drawn to Ventura simply becuase people know he will work for everyone--not just those that voted for him, and not becuase some focus group or poll told him he should. He does what he feels and thinks is the right thing. If it turns out wrong, he is smart enough to try again. Simple as that. Fifty years ago the same critics would dismiss a president by the name of Truman for many of the same criticisms as they give Ventura. I don't know if Ventura will ever run for president, but his influence may inspire the everyday man or woman to get involved in politics and overcome the established corporate, popularity-contest we have today. Where the winner is the one who can raise the most funds--legally or illegally. Is that the way to run a country? Some day a real Party revolution will occur (not like in 1994) and Ventura's influence will be all over it.
Rating:
Summary: Everything I expected
Review: This book (audio) was everything I expected it to be. I had not read anything from Mr. Ventura prior to this experience, although I had watched a couple of his debates. He sounded like he was a man with an idea, and some principal. I listened to the audio version and found that Mr. Ventura is the exact type of politician this country needs more of. I truly hope more people reado or listen to his material and are inspired to hold public offices, it is the last hope of a declining nation.
Rating:
Summary: I Read It Cover-to-Cover Twice, Extremely Unusual For Me
Review: Two things upon which Mr. Ventura elaborates are common knowledge: 1) Government is completely out of touch with "we, the people." and 2) The media distort, rather than simply report, the news; like the government itself, the media has become totally self-serving. However, Ventura's numerous examples from his own experiences reveal THE GIGANTIC EXTENT of the corruptedness, which is so shocking it's unbelieveable. A good example is how the media can completely slander someone's reputation using a complete fabrication, no sources even needed. However, this is permissible under the guise of "protecting the sources." This book has fired me up so much for the hope that a socio-political revolution might take place within the generation. Very few issues he discusses I disagree with. I especially support his anti-prohibition views (regarding prostitution, marijuana, etc.) and I get the impression most Americans, certainly of the young, open-minded generation, would agree. I admire him one thousand percent for being one of the few politicians who is vocal in his decree that the War on Drugs has failed, and particularly, in his call for marijuana legalization. He declares, I believe quite rightly, that less prohibition actually LOWERS crime, and he offers sound testimony for this opinion with his own personal account of his visit to Amsterdam's Red Light District, which he says has no more crime than the average white, middle-class suburban neighborhood. I've heard the same thing from other people who've been to Amsterdam (and purchased pot from the "Cannabis Coffee Shops"). Most important is his cry for the American public to break out of its current indifference. He reminds us that political corruption only flourishes when we lose touch with our system, thereby submitting our will to our officials' own ends. I don't know how many others feel as passionately about this as I do, but I sincerely believe every American should read this book.
| 
