Don't Start the Revolution Without Me!

by Jesse Ventura, Dick Russell

book data

42 ratings, 3.36 average rating, 20 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		9%
4		35%
3		35%
2		19%
1		0%

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published

April 1st 2008 by Skyhorse Publishing

binding

Hardcover, 320 pages

isbn

1602392730 (isbn13: 9781602392731)

description

Jesse Ventura—former governor, wrestler, and Navy SEAL—on what's wrong with the Democrats, the Republicans, and politics in America.

Jesse Ventura has ...more

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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 84)

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09/10/08

Armand rated it:

Read in September, 2008

A slightly embarrassing read, but my curiosity got the better of me after I saw this on a friend's shelf. Ventura won't be mistaken for a policy wonk anytime soon, but he does have a fierce independent streak that's somewhat refreshing. The book reads like flash paper, and seems to have been written in about as much time, mostly comprised of Ventura's tape-recorded reflections as he and his wife drive to Mexico . A few times Ventura tries to frame a larger issue -- namely, whether he'll run for ...more A slightly embarrassing read, but my curiosity got the better of me after I saw this on a friend's shelf. Ventura won't be mistaken for a policy wonk anytime soon, but he does have a fierce independent streak that's somewhat refreshing. The book reads like flash paper, and seems to have been written in about as much time, mostly comprised of Ventura's tape-recorded reflections as he and his wife drive to Mexico . A few times Ventura tries to frame a larger issue -- namely, whether he'll run for president in 2008 -- but this feels tacked on. Ventura does have a pretty fascinating life, though, and rails passionately against our two-party system, providing some nice anecdotes along the way about his own come-from-behind candidacy in MN. I am tempted to classify him as a libertarian, except he doesn't seem like much of an ideologue, at various points touting his efforts to fund public transportation in MN and describing his openness to government involvement in the provision of health care. Mostly, Ventura wants small government to preserve civil liberties, and appears socially liberal precisely because he thinks government should be small.

Ventura's background as a Navy SEAL allows him to make arguments that others simply could not get away with, too, such as abolishing the pledge of allegiance (which he says smacks of the kind of compulsory oath China might require of their schoolchildren). Ventura rarely seems restrained, talking openly about being questioned by the CIA after meeting with Castro in Cuba, as well as his official interactions with intelligence and security agencies in the aftermath of 9/11. There's bravery in his openness, which makes for an engaging read, if not always a thoughtful one. And that’s Ventura’s Achilles' heel: he never examines anything too carefully. Ventura often fails even to acknowledge the major counterarguments against his ideas, which makes him look paperweight and lacking the kind of careful consideration one would hope is a benchmark of a former governor and potential presidential candidate. Ventura has his oddities, as well (aside from the WWF), railing for a while on the JFK conspiracy and his own suspicions about 9/11. Again, his arguments suffer because he fails even to note other reasonable, clear-eyed explanations. This book is a curiosity, and not recommended much beyond that.(less)

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02/21/09

Kim rated it:

Read in March, 2009

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I appreciate Ventura's direct and honest approach to politics. I don't agree with all of his ideas, but at least with him, you know where he stands. Too many of our political leaders are so beholdened to the people who really got them elected (billionaries and special interest) that I have no idea who they really are or what they really believe in.

The ending was a little odd as well. It was a series of "future" headlines showing what would ...more

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02/08/09

Laura rated it:

Read in February, 2009

"Don’t Start The Revolution Without Me" is a provocative political book. Jesse a pro-wrestler who was Governor of Minnesota has lived an interesting life. Ventura represented the United States on a number of diplomatic visits, including trips to China and Cuba, where he meet and spoke with Castro for an hour. Jesse is critical of the two party system and points out countless examples of corruption and constrains that he encountered in a leadership role. The book includes insights fro...more

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09/06/08

Earl rated it:

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in September, 2008

I remember first watching Jesse as a wrestler back when I was a kid and thinking "this guy has style!". Never having aligned myself with Republicans or Democrats I found an immediate connection with Jesse after reading about his relationship with Ross Perot. I had voted for Ross in my first ever presidential election but did not get much support for my choice from friends, family or media. I think my generation does not feel invested in the political system because it doesn't seem to m...more

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12/26/08

Jon rated it:

bookshelves: biography, politics

Read in January, 2009

After seeing Jesse speak at the Rally for the Republic in September 2008, I thought it would be a good idea to read this book to get a better idea of just who Jesse is. This book does that well.

It is written from the first person perspective as Jesse drives down from Minnesota to his home in the Baja of Mexico. During his trip he reminisces about his experiences and allows his wife to chime in to.

If you're wondering what drives this guy and where he would point to then ...more

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10/12/08

Linda rated it:

Read in October, 2008

I've just started this one. Ventura intrigues me. I like listening to him but sometimes I wonder if he realizes that his previous TV career had a lot to do with his popularity and successful bid for election. He does have a message that resonates with people. He's smart, but then he'll drop a little tidbit like how Oliver Stone's JFK was one of the best movies made. It's easy to view JFK and believe the conspiracy theories. A curious person will do a little more research and discover that Stone ...more

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03/24/09

Bfg1971 rated it:

bookshelves: non-fiction

Read in April, 2009

Meh. It was okay. I wouldn't recommend it to anybody. What I did enjoy about it was that ther Governor holds many of the same political views as I do. I think that is why I found it to be kind of a boring read. It was like he was preaching to the choir. We could use more politicians like former Governor Ventura.

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01/07/09

Matt rated it:

Read in October, 2008

Jesse has some cool ideas about his country. I enjoyed the book although some of his conspriracy theories I was not on board with.

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07/01/08

Beckel rated it:

Read in June, 2008

recommends it for: anyone who cares for independent thought

Even as a Minnesotan I learned a lot about Jesse's time in office from this book. This book tells a good story about how difficult it is to work in our two party system as an independent. Jesse may be a bit of an odd ball but he raises some very good questions, the initial one considering if it is worth the damage the media (and political machine) does to ones family when considering a run for president. If you have any interest in a political system other than our current absurd two party syste...more

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06/10/09

Lianneb rated it:

bookshelves: non-fiction

Read in June, 2009

Jesse Ventura is a hoot to read about, and I think he did a good job as governor, but I would hate to see him as president, or even vice-president. His sort of shoot from the hip method of governance works best at low to mid-level government, not at the federal level. Still, you have to love the man.

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04/10/08

Robert rated it:

Read in July, 2008

Interesting book. Ventura takes you on his travels driving from Minneosta down to the Baja in Mexico. As he drives he talks about his life going from Frogman, to wrestling, to becoming the governor of Minnesota and to where he is today. His viewpoints are very honest and he pulls no punches as he talks about his beliefs that there might have been conspiracies behind the JFK assasination and 9/11.

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04/20/08

Ray rated it:

Read in September, 2008

Very good book so far. I have read his two previous books and this one is meeting my expectations. The thing I like about Mr. Ventura, is he tells it like he sees it. He is not politically correct and it comes through as an honest account of how he saw things.

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04/08/08

Mike marked it as to-read

bookshelves: to-read

Ok, I haven't read it yet, and I'm shocked that he now has a book but I just heard Jesse Ventura on CNN and I actually agree with some of his points. If his book is as valid as his interview maybe I would vote for him.

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09/08/08

Josh rated it:

bookshelves: biography, politics

Read in September, 2008

Part autobiography, part political commentary. Jesse has alot of interesting stories and interesting viewpoints to share, including being a big advocate of third party politics.

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08/20/08

Julie marked it as to-read

bookshelves: to-read

After hearing Ventura interviewed on the Howard Stern show I totally want to read this book. (woo, publicists and publishers rejoice - the power of media has worked!)

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09/03/08

Kerry rated it:

Great information in a long rambling as he travels down to Mexico... The info comes slowly, but is still worth knowing. His venture into politics is fascinating.

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11/15/08

Richard rated it:

His rants against the two-party system are appealing, but in the end the book is too self-serving for me to take him seriously.

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