I Ain't Got Time to Bleed: Reworking the Body Politic from the Bottom Up (Hardcover)

by Jesse Ventura (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
"Career politicians are bought and sold," says Jesse Ventura, but "no one owns me. I come with no strings attached." His victory in the Minnesota gubernatorial race was one of the most surprising stories of the 1998 elections; even after he'd served as mayor of his small Minneapolis suburb, few pundits expected that the former pro wrestler, film actor, and radio personality had what it took to win a statewide campaign against two established politicians.

I Ain't Got Time to Bleed takes its title from the best remembered line in Ventura's film debut, the action/horror flick Predator. It's a phrase that neatly encapsulates his rough and tumble approach to political activism. In addition to a look behind the scenes at his campaign, and his stand on the issues affecting his state (particularly tax reform and public education), Ventura also shares with readers his experiences as a member of the U.S. Navy's SEAL program and as a pro wrestler. It's a lively read that's sure to satisfy his established fans and surprise skeptics with its thoughtful approach to politics and civic responsibility.

From Publishers Weekly
Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura describes his politics and his life with a simplicity that his supporters will cheer as fist-shaking bolts of truth and that his detractors will pan as loud, flippant and glib. The text first outlines Ventura's political platform ("less government is more" just about sums it up), then tracks his life through roles as blue-collar bad boy, Navy Seal, pro wrestler, wrestling commentator, film star, mayor, talk-radio host and, finally, campaigner and governor. Ventura likes to play the angry man in the bar complaining about the bums in office. Like most Reform Party candidates, he doesn't believe government can do much anyway. Eighty percent of the book is autobiography, a series of American success stories about the man who doesn't believe in the word can't. His ego appears to play such a large role in his persona that even his claim that he doesn't want to be called upon to be president exudes a scent of sham modesty. Ventura fan or not, any reader can appreciate the story of this man's desire to unseat "the old boy network" and engage the people. But the chapters on his entertainment years, and Ventura's incessant name-dropping, ultimately undermine his premiseAthat he isn't a politician, just a private-sector Joe. At times, Ventura is so entertaining that readers might forget, temporarily, that he's a celebrity politician employing the advantage of his fame. (June)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Villard; 1st edition (May 18, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375503323
• ISBN-13: 978-0375503320
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (137 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,056,121 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting and articulate, July 14, 2000

By	David J. Huber "Addicted to books!" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: I Ain't Got Time to Bleed: Reworking the Body Politic from the Bottom up (Paperback)

While I am a fan of Jesse, and support his governorship of Minnesota, I'm not clouding my review with my agreement with what he says.

This is a book by a politician (albeit not a professional one) espousing his views on many facets of political (and therefore social) life. Jesse is very articulate in what he believes, and says it well here. He is consistent and clear - thus gaining him 5 stars for this book. You will definitely know what he thinks, and what he is doing politically, after reading this book.

I also appreciate his willingness to replay his life - what brought him to where he is, and especially I appreciate his candor and his honesty about even the not-so-glamorous things he has done. He makes no apologies for what he has done or for what he believes, which is a very welcome way for a politician to write. His book would benefit from more exposition, but he covers an awful lot of ground here, and as he often says, he just doesn't have the space to go into great detail about everything. Hopefully he will continue to write, and will concentrate on more specific items in those writings. But of course, one can also watch his governorship to learn more about the specifics, too.

It is unfortunate that he gets the bad press he does - he is one of few honest politicians out there. Whether you agree with him or not, at least he tells us what he thinks and believes about the many important things he is doing as governor.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informational and Daring, November 3, 1999

By A Customer

Jesse Ventura is portrayed like a joke by the media. Everybody is willing to cut down what he says and blow things out of proportion. I was a critic at first also, however, his book did an excellent job discussing the issues he wants to tackle as governor and I agree with most of his ideas. One must read this book to gain full appreciation of probably the only politician who is not afraid to speak his mind.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jesse Ventura is an inspiring role model., December 5, 1999

By	Denver W Behnke "revnedbank" (Barton Mills, England) - See all my reviews

Jesse Ventura has done what most Americans have not. He has lived his life demonstrating who he is. He is 100 percent himself. There are no lies and no regrets. Total honesty with himself and others. What a freedom that is! This book is very inspiring to read. It has helped me to be more honest with myself. Thank you Jesse!