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

~ (Author)

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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 (136 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #967,855 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting and articulate, July 13, 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.

9 of 11 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!

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative, touching and inspiring..., October 22, 1999

By	Hassan Galadari (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a very good book. You get to learn about the Amewrican way of life through a true all-American guy. I have never met or read anything by one so patriotic, whgo stioll believes in what he stands for. I followed Jesse from his early daus in the WWF and later WCW. He then completely disappeared until I found out he was elected governor of Minnesota. I had to find out how that happened. I checked him out in the WWF 1999 Summerslam and on the Leno show. He has certainly changed, but you can still feel the colorful, strong headed man he always was and will always be. His book is inspiring for all Americans and those who aren't to reach out for their dreams and that whatever you do, there is always a thin line that leads from one part of your likfe to another. I don't agree with Jesse in all his veiwpoints, but I'm not his twin or brother to agree on everything he says. The book is funny, lighthearted, and was surely the fastest read in my history of reading. This book says it all.