Literary Squared Circle #9 – I AIN’T GOT TIME TO BLEED
To say Jesse Ventura has led an interesting life would be an understatement. Navy SEAL. Professional wrestler. Actor. Mayor. Governor. Author. Television host. Few people have reinvented themselves more than Ventura has. Jesse Ventura celebrates his 70th Birthday this week (July 15th). To mark the occasion, the Literary Squared Circle blog reviews Ventura’s first book, I Ain’t Got Time to Bleed: Reworking the Body Politic from the Bottom Up (Villard, 1999).
I Ain’t Got Time to Bleed is not a wrestling book per se. Each chapter addresses a different chapter in Ventura’s life. His professional wrestling career is included, but it is not the focal point of the book. The book begins and ends with Ventura’s 1998 gubernatorial run in his home state of Minnesota, in which he upset the proverbial applecart and “shocked the world” by winning the election.
When the book was released in 1999, Ventura was clearly trying to leave his Jesse “The Body” persona behind. He was now a politician, and he had become Jesse “The Mind” Ventura. Though his wrestling career is discussed, Ventura largely downplays that aspect of his life. He briefly covers topics such as his training with Eddie Sharkey, the creation of his “Body” gimmick, and how he based the character on the mannerisms of Superstar Billy Graham. Ventura describes breaking into the wrestling business for Bob Geigel in the Kansas City territory, and tells a few wild stories about the early days of his career. Unfortunately, his time in the American Wrestling Association is glossed over, but his memorable run in the World Wrestling Federation is discussed more in-depth.
While in the WWF, Ventura’s actions seemed to foretell his future in politics. He was the first wrestler to have an agent to negotiate his contracts. He was also protective of his likeness, and was the first to broach the issue of videotape royalties and compensation . Perhaps the most politically divisive issue he raised was when he proposed unionizing professional wrestling. Ventura claims that it was Hulk Hogan (someone he considered to be a friend) who reported Ventura’s proposed union to Vince McMahon, who quickly put the kibosh on the idea.
Ventura does not shy away from any issue. He admits to steroid use, but states that when he discovered the negative health effects they caused, he changed his stance. He went as far as to participate in campaign aimed at keep young people away from performance enhancing drugs. Whether his later health issues were related to his steroid use or not, Ventura describes the life-threatening blood clots in his lungs which ended his in-ring career.
Though he could no longer wrestle, Ventura successfully transitioned to the broadcast booth, where he pioneered the idea of being a heel commentator. During his time as a commentator, Ventura also began taking on film roles. In fact, the title of his book, I Ain’t Got Time to Bleed, is his iconic line from the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger action film, Predator, in which Ventura co-starred.
Jesse Ventura’s wrestling career is covered in two chapters, or approximately fifty pages. The vast majority of the book, however, is about politics. He recounts what prompted him run for office, first as mayor of his hometown, and later as Governor of Minnesota. Ventura shares his political platform, which includes: taxes, education, government reform, social issues, you name it.
As a wrestling fan, I would have enjoyed more wrestling stories, especially about his time in the AWA. Though Ventura has written numerous books over the past twenty plus years, he has not written a book dedicated to his time as a wrestler. However, for what it is, I Ain’t Got Time to Bleed, is a quick and interesting read. Ventura shoots from the hip. He is opinionated, and honest, which must have come as a breath of fresh air for voters in Minnesota in 1998. Early on in the book, Ventura describes himself in the following way, “I am not a career politician. I am not a Democrat. I am not a Republican. I am a working man with commonsense ideas and goals. I describe myself politically as fiscally conservative and socially moderate-to-liberal.”
For those expecting a traditional wrestler autobiography, I Ain’t Got Time to Bleed: Reworking the Body Politic from the Bottom Up will undoubtedly be a disappointment. However, if you are looking to read a compelling life story about someone who marches to the beat of their own drum, you will likely enjoy this book. The story of James George Janos begins in 1950s Minnesota and concludes with him serving as Governor of the state in 1999. Along the way he became known in the ring and on the big screen as Jesse “The Body” Ventura. Ventura’s journey is both a unique and fascinating one.
4 Stars out of 5
I Ain’t Got Time to Bleed is not a wrestling book per se. Each chapter addresses a different chapter in Ventura’s life. His professional wrestling career is included, but it is not the focal point of the book. The book begins and ends with Ventura’s 1998 gubernatorial run in his home state of Minnesota, in which he upset the proverbial applecart and “shocked the world” by winning the election.
When the book was released in 1999, Ventura was clearly trying to leave his Jesse “The Body” persona behind. He was now a politician, and he had become Jesse “The Mind” Ventura. Though his wrestling career is discussed, Ventura largely downplays that aspect of his life. He briefly covers topics such as his training with Eddie Sharkey, the creation of his “Body” gimmick, and how he based the character on the mannerisms of Superstar Billy Graham. Ventura describes breaking into the wrestling business for Bob Geigel in the Kansas City territory, and tells a few wild stories about the early days of his career. Unfortunately, his time in the American Wrestling Association is glossed over, but his memorable run in the World Wrestling Federation is discussed more in-depth.
While in the WWF, Ventura’s actions seemed to foretell his future in politics. He was the first wrestler to have an agent to negotiate his contracts. He was also protective of his likeness, and was the first to broach the issue of videotape royalties and compensation . Perhaps the most politically divisive issue he raised was when he proposed unionizing professional wrestling. Ventura claims that it was Hulk Hogan (someone he considered to be a friend) who reported Ventura’s proposed union to Vince McMahon, who quickly put the kibosh on the idea.
Ventura does not shy away from any issue. He admits to steroid use, but states that when he discovered the negative health effects they caused, he changed his stance. He went as far as to participate in campaign aimed at keep young people away from performance enhancing drugs. Whether his later health issues were related to his steroid use or not, Ventura describes the life-threatening blood clots in his lungs which ended his in-ring career.
Though he could no longer wrestle, Ventura successfully transitioned to the broadcast booth, where he pioneered the idea of being a heel commentator. During his time as a commentator, Ventura also began taking on film roles. In fact, the title of his book, I Ain’t Got Time to Bleed, is his iconic line from the 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger action film, Predator, in which Ventura co-starred.
Jesse Ventura’s wrestling career is covered in two chapters, or approximately fifty pages. The vast majority of the book, however, is about politics. He recounts what prompted him run for office, first as mayor of his hometown, and later as Governor of Minnesota. Ventura shares his political platform, which includes: taxes, education, government reform, social issues, you name it.
As a wrestling fan, I would have enjoyed more wrestling stories, especially about his time in the AWA. Though Ventura has written numerous books over the past twenty plus years, he has not written a book dedicated to his time as a wrestler. However, for what it is, I Ain’t Got Time to Bleed, is a quick and interesting read. Ventura shoots from the hip. He is opinionated, and honest, which must have come as a breath of fresh air for voters in Minnesota in 1998. Early on in the book, Ventura describes himself in the following way, “I am not a career politician. I am not a Democrat. I am not a Republican. I am a working man with commonsense ideas and goals. I describe myself politically as fiscally conservative and socially moderate-to-liberal.”
For those expecting a traditional wrestler autobiography, I Ain’t Got Time to Bleed: Reworking the Body Politic from the Bottom Up will undoubtedly be a disappointment. However, if you are looking to read a compelling life story about someone who marches to the beat of their own drum, you will likely enjoy this book. The story of James George Janos begins in 1950s Minnesota and concludes with him serving as Governor of the state in 1999. Along the way he became known in the ring and on the big screen as Jesse “The Body” Ventura. Ventura’s journey is both a unique and fascinating one.
4 Stars out of 5
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