Don't Start the Revolution Without Me! | 
 enlarge | Author: Jesse Ventura
Creator: Dick Russell
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $15.43
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Avg. Customer Rating:  45 reviews
Sales Rank: 5570
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 320
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.2
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6.4 x 1.2
ISBN: 1602392730
Dewey Decimal Number: 977.6053092
EAN: 9781602392731
ASIN: 1602392730
Publication Date: April 1, 2008
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Product 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 had many lives—as a Navy SEAL, as a star of pro wrestling, as an actor, and as the governor of Minnesota. His previous books, I Ain't Got Time to Bleed and Do I Stand Alone?, were both national bestsellers. Don't Start the Revolution Without Me! is the story of his controversial gubernatorial years and his life since deciding not to seek a second term as governor in 2002. Written with award-winning author Dick Russell at a secluded location on Mexico's Baja Peninsula, Ventura's new book reveals for the first time why he left politics—and why he is now considering reentering the arena with a possible independent run for the presidency in 2008.
In a fast-paced and often humorous narrative, Ventura pulls no punches in discussing our corrupt two-party system, the disastrous war in Iraq, and what he suspects really happened on September 11. He provides personal insights into the Clinton and Bush presidencies, and elaborates on the ways in which third parties are rendered impotent by the country's two dominant parties. He reveals the illegal role of the CIA in states like Minnesota, sensitive and up-to-date information on the Blackwater security firm, the story of the American spies who shadowed him on a trade mission to Cuba, and what Fidel Castro told him about who really assassinated President John F. Kennedy. This unique political memoir is a must-read for anyone concerned about the direction that America will take in 2008. 16 b/w photographs.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 40 more reviews...
 Don't Start Anything With Me July 18, 2008
0 out of 4 found this review helpful
To sum up this book, the best thing Jesse did for the country was move to Mexico. The best thing he can do for the country right now is stay in Mexico.
This book is written by a person who just wants to pat himself on the back and talk all the great things he did and all the things he knows better than everyone else. By the way Jesse, independent means that you don't support either party or at least don't gush over one of them. It seems that Jesse cannot stop trashing the Republicans both in their agenda and in their individual personalities, while admiring the Democrats (Bush bad Clinton great). Guess what Jesse, that makes you a left of center democrat or essentialy a main stream Democrat.
By the way, I wonder how many books Jesse would have sold if the front cover of this book would of had the picture of his Fu-Manchu beard and not the clean cut version that is used. I would hazzard to guess not many. Its funny for a guy that keeps talking about being true to ones belief and being yourself, he cleaned up his image to sell himself and his book pretty quickly. It just goes to show that Jesse knows how to play the game just as well as those he likes to put down.
 Some great points raised, but very hypocritical at times. July 10, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
There are several things that you can take away from Jesse Ventura and find honorable, not just from this book, but from his life. He was active duty in the navy during Vietnam, he became governor of a state as third party, (something that is near impossible) and he has always been a true independent which is truly rare at this current point in history. He brings up some great points in this book on where the country is, and where it is headed. Civil liberties are being erased, we are in a massive debt, and the expansion of the federal government is getting out of control. However he loses credibility when he writes of his meeting with Castro, and how he admires Castro and Che. If you don't like where America is headed, you only need to look at Cuba to see a country with no civil liberties, no economic freedom, and a nation who has tortured critics of the government, and forced thousands to flee. Even if you are in the dark, and don't believe Castro is a tyrant, there is no way, you can argue he is for less government, something that Ventura claims to support himself. This government is full of liars, as we have definitely seen, but when you put all this trust in a lying murderer as Ventura does with Castro, it waters down and hurts the good points, and real criticism of our country that should be addressed.
Very Interesting Read June 28, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
First, let me be upfront with you- I am a wrestling fan. But not in the traditional sense, but rather, I love to watch what wrestling presents to its fans on TV, and then distill what is really happening behind the scenes. Fast forward to late May/early June, when Governor Ventura was making the talk show rounds, promoting this book. He landed on Hannity and Colmes on Fox, and had both of those two stammering for a response. He said some very controversial things; not just for the sensation factor, but because he believed these things to be true. Controversial topics like the Kennedy assassination, the Twin Towers disaster on 9/11. These comments intrigued me.
Add to that, his startling rise to the top of Minnesota politics in the early 2000's-- well, to me that cinched it. I wanted to know more, and this book purported to give me the low down.
About the book- if it were mine to publish, I would make sure that my editor cleaned up all of the typographical errors. There were many in the first third of the book, and it was kind of distracting. Aside from that, this book was a terrific read, told mostly as a first person recollection, with the narrative weaving between Gov. Ventura's personal history and his travel in his motor home to Baja. Along the story, his wife Terry adds some interesting observations from her perspective, and to me, that rounded out the narrative and indicated what a tight, great relationship the two share. This is a fun read, with interesting trivia and tidbits about third party politics that should make most Americans in the center realize that there is more going on in government that is reported in the news. Contrasted with Scott McClellan's book, this says many of the same things about the current political climate, but is a much more pleasurable read. (Sorry, I find Scott boring).
Pick this one up- you won't regret it. You will learn a lot about third party politics, and a man who wouldn't fall in line with the political climate of today.
The title says "Don't Start the Revolution Without Me!," but I think Gov. Ventura is the one who has started the revolution already.
Disappointed June 16, 2008
4 out of 11 found this review helpful
I used to watch Jesse on Monday Night WWF Wrestling. He was co-announcer with Gorilla Monsoon. Jesse was the 'Bad Guy' advocate. He wore a beret, feathers and shades and I thought he was pretty cool. I've semi-followed him since. I thought it was great when he was elected governor. In all fairness i'll say that this book was very readable and well written and the guy has a lot of good ideas. HOWEVER........
He brags about his part in Trade with China which has done nothing but hurt this country AS A WHOLE. Our industrial base is shipped to china,,,they become rich selling us their products, they buy steel, food, and fuel and all the prices skyrocket for Americans. Of course if you are a Pro Wrestler, Talk Show Host, or a Politician you don't have to worry about your job being shipped off to China.
His part on Mohammed Ali was 'touching' but how can a Vietnam Vet respect the guy. He was a DRAFT DODGER. That is an insult to Vietnam Vets,,black and white. Lots of guys didn't want to go for lots of reasons.....BUT THEY WENT. If you respect Ali, why not respect all the guys that bailed out to Canada, and all the other ways to beat the draft. How about Jane Fonda??? I was expecting some big recitation on her,,,after all,,she believed in what she did...
He has a picture of Che Guevara in his house,,,and he sounded like a kid that just saw Santa Clause when he met with Castro. Hey,,,those guys were the same Communists we were fighting all those years,,,along with China. They murdered millions and millions of people. They were bad guys then and they are bad guys now. You can tell alot about a person by the people that he respects. And it dosen't take a rocket scientist, Sherlock Holmes, or Fidel Castro to figure out that there was something funky about the JFK assasination. I think it hurt his feelings because RFK jr got to spend 4 hours with Castro and Jesse only got an hour.
I thought Jesse was going to be like a BREATH OF FRESH AIR,,,but from the book there is just another self-serving politician wearing a tie-dyed t-shirt, a dew rag and feathers.
Jesse is probably a good guy,,He'd be fun to party with,,,and if I ever had the chance to vote for him,,,I would,,,just because he's not ANOTHER PENCIL-NECK POLITICIAN,,, but after reading the book, I can't figure out why Jesse would want to have a Revolution,,, he has it made in the shade as it is...
great June 16, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I love Jesse's non conventional views on politics. First book of his i read and was really impressed. Very Satisfied, i reccomend it to anyone!
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