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Don't Start the Revolution Without Me!
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. It's hit bestseller lists across the country, energizing everyone who feels that both parties aren't doing justice to the American people.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2008
30 people are currently reading
291 people want to read
About the author
Jesse Ventura
41 books172 followersJesse Ventura is an American politician, actor, author, veteran, and former professional wrestler who served as the 38th Governor of Minnesota from 1999 to 2003.
Ventura served as a U.S. Navy Underwater Demolition Team member during the Vietnam War. He had a long tenure in the World Wrestling Federation, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
In 1951, James George Janos, later known as Jesse "The Body" Ventura, was born in Minneapolis to George and Bernice Janos. Janos joined the U.S. Navy and spent time in the Vietnam War. He was briefly a bodyguard for the Rolling Stones. Janos developed a rigorous workout routine, and his newly muscular physique attracted the attention of famous Midwest wrestling promoter Bob Geigel. He began wrestling professionally in the mid-1970s and changed his name to the one that made him famous, Jesse "The Body" Ventura. He continued wrestling in the national spotlight until 1984, when emergency hospitalization due to blood clots in his lungs made him miss a title match against Hulk Hogan, and ended his professional wrestling career. He spent the next five years as a wrestling commentator for various television and radio programs. He acted in a handful of films, including several Arnold Schwarzenegger movies: "Predator" (1987), "The Running Man" (1987) and "Batman & Robin" (1997). In 1990, Ventura ran against and defeated the 18-year incumbent mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minn., serving until 1995. He campaigned for governor as a third-party candidate, and was one of the pioneering politicians who reached out to new voters via the Internet. He was elected as Minnesota governor in 1998, and proved to be a progressive politician, strongly backing gay rights, abortion rights, funding higher education, third-party politics, mass transit, property tax reform and opening trade relations with Cuba. Ventura Decided not to run for reelection because he wanted his family to regain their privacy.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation awarded the former governor the 1999 "Emperor Has No Clothes Award" for his "plain speaking" on religion and, as governor, for rejecting proposals to entangle state and church, including refusing to proclaim for Minnesota a "Day of Prayer." As governor, Ventura vetoed a bill that would have required students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools. Ventura, on refusing to sign a National Day of Prayer in 1999, said: "I believe in the separation of church and state. We all have our own religious beliefs. There are people out there who are atheists, who don't believe at all. They are all citizens of Minnesota and I have to respect that" (Minnesota Independent, "Despite court decision, National Day of Prayer will endure in Minnesota," by Andy Birkey, April 20, 2010). In his 2009 book Don't Start the Revolution Without Me! (co-authored with Dick Russell), Ventura writes: "I was the only governor of all fifty who would not declare a National Day of Prayer. I took a lot of heat for that, and my response was very simple: Why do people need the government to tell them to pray? Pray all you want! Pray fifty times a day if you desire, it's not my business! . . . If I declare National Day of Prayer, then I've got to declare National No-Prayer Day for the atheists. They are American citizens too" (p. 58). "For me, the lines between church and state seem to become more blurred by the day. The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, thought — and religion. Nowhere is it mandated that we're the Christian States of America. . . . That's made us, I think, a stronger and more democratic nation. . . . It's abundantly clear that our Founding Fathers wanted to prevent our government from establishing a 'national church'" (p. 59).
More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Ve...
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001818/
Ventura served as a U.S. Navy Underwater Demolition Team member during the Vietnam War. He had a long tenure in the World Wrestling Federation, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
In 1951, James George Janos, later known as Jesse "The Body" Ventura, was born in Minneapolis to George and Bernice Janos. Janos joined the U.S. Navy and spent time in the Vietnam War. He was briefly a bodyguard for the Rolling Stones. Janos developed a rigorous workout routine, and his newly muscular physique attracted the attention of famous Midwest wrestling promoter Bob Geigel. He began wrestling professionally in the mid-1970s and changed his name to the one that made him famous, Jesse "The Body" Ventura. He continued wrestling in the national spotlight until 1984, when emergency hospitalization due to blood clots in his lungs made him miss a title match against Hulk Hogan, and ended his professional wrestling career. He spent the next five years as a wrestling commentator for various television and radio programs. He acted in a handful of films, including several Arnold Schwarzenegger movies: "Predator" (1987), "The Running Man" (1987) and "Batman & Robin" (1997). In 1990, Ventura ran against and defeated the 18-year incumbent mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minn., serving until 1995. He campaigned for governor as a third-party candidate, and was one of the pioneering politicians who reached out to new voters via the Internet. He was elected as Minnesota governor in 1998, and proved to be a progressive politician, strongly backing gay rights, abortion rights, funding higher education, third-party politics, mass transit, property tax reform and opening trade relations with Cuba. Ventura Decided not to run for reelection because he wanted his family to regain their privacy.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation awarded the former governor the 1999 "Emperor Has No Clothes Award" for his "plain speaking" on religion and, as governor, for rejecting proposals to entangle state and church, including refusing to proclaim for Minnesota a "Day of Prayer." As governor, Ventura vetoed a bill that would have required students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in public schools. Ventura, on refusing to sign a National Day of Prayer in 1999, said: "I believe in the separation of church and state. We all have our own religious beliefs. There are people out there who are atheists, who don't believe at all. They are all citizens of Minnesota and I have to respect that" (Minnesota Independent, "Despite court decision, National Day of Prayer will endure in Minnesota," by Andy Birkey, April 20, 2010). In his 2009 book Don't Start the Revolution Without Me! (co-authored with Dick Russell), Ventura writes: "I was the only governor of all fifty who would not declare a National Day of Prayer. I took a lot of heat for that, and my response was very simple: Why do people need the government to tell them to pray? Pray all you want! Pray fifty times a day if you desire, it's not my business! . . . If I declare National Day of Prayer, then I've got to declare National No-Prayer Day for the atheists. They are American citizens too" (p. 58). "For me, the lines between church and state seem to become more blurred by the day. The First Amendment protects freedom of speech, thought — and religion. Nowhere is it mandated that we're the Christian States of America. . . . That's made us, I think, a stronger and more democratic nation. . . . It's abundantly clear that our Founding Fathers wanted to prevent our government from establishing a 'national church'" (p. 59).
More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Ve...
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001818/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
February 15, 2009
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.
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.
October 1, 2017
Jesse is a Maverick, he met with Castro and Loves him family and his Country. He's a Patriot who lives the American Dream. His wife's beautiful detail of the trip makes me want to go plan a trip. He's got one hell of a story and it is far from finished!
Nuggets of Truth:
Never read a script until the money is right
Nuggets of Truth:
Never read a script until the money is right
June 25, 2012
Navy Seal, professional wrestler, Mayor, Governor...Mr. Ventura is a man of many titles. This book almost reminded me of Canterbury Tales. After leaving office, he and the missus drive down to Baja California as a way to get away from the chaos that is life in politics. Along the way, the sights they see remind him of things that happened in his life. So, like those pilgrims in Chaucer's tales, the journey is riddled with stories.
Jesse asks the hard questions: did Castro have a hand in the death of JFK? How did the planes on 9/11 go unintercepted? Why are we still using a two party system when it clearly doesn't work?
I've read two books by him and he's quoted Jefferson in both of them: "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." You may call him a blow-hard, a troublemaker, or just plain ignorant but one thing you can't call him in unpatriotic. He loves his country but has become disillusioned by it. Politicians spend too much time working on getting reelected an not enough time making the country better. The media, the politicians, and big companies run this because it's tough to think for yourself but it easy to eat what these people feed you. The companies give the politicians money, the media give them the praise, but what do we get?
Jesse asks the hard questions: did Castro have a hand in the death of JFK? How did the planes on 9/11 go unintercepted? Why are we still using a two party system when it clearly doesn't work?
I've read two books by him and he's quoted Jefferson in both of them: "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." You may call him a blow-hard, a troublemaker, or just plain ignorant but one thing you can't call him in unpatriotic. He loves his country but has become disillusioned by it. Politicians spend too much time working on getting reelected an not enough time making the country better. The media, the politicians, and big companies run this because it's tough to think for yourself but it easy to eat what these people feed you. The companies give the politicians money, the media give them the praise, but what do we get?
March 21, 2014
INTERESTING AND ENTERTAINING.
There are people you instinctively feel you'd be confident to follow into combat; and others you wouldn't trust as a crossing guard for fear they'd throw you under the first bus to come along. For me, Jesse Ventura—in spite of his cursed susceptibility to 'conspiracy theories,'—is an example of the former. His buddy, Al Gore, is definitely one of this latter. It's a friendship I'll never understand.
But there are many paradoxes to the character of Jesse Ventura, and many are highlighted in his interesting and entertaining, albeit poorly edited, book, DON'T START THE REVOLUTION WITHOUT ME! His freethinking, libertarian traits are to be commended—his whack-job pseudo-science and gullibility, not so much.
The poor editing made some of the passages difficult to understand, and having the 35th president of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, referred to as John R Kennedy no less than five times, and as John E Kennedy once, was annoying. JV's going to have to show a little more attention to detail, before I can ever vote for him.
Recommendation: Worth the time, nonetheless.
NOOKbook edition, 279 pages
There are people you instinctively feel you'd be confident to follow into combat; and others you wouldn't trust as a crossing guard for fear they'd throw you under the first bus to come along. For me, Jesse Ventura—in spite of his cursed susceptibility to 'conspiracy theories,'—is an example of the former. His buddy, Al Gore, is definitely one of this latter. It's a friendship I'll never understand.
But there are many paradoxes to the character of Jesse Ventura, and many are highlighted in his interesting and entertaining, albeit poorly edited, book, DON'T START THE REVOLUTION WITHOUT ME! His freethinking, libertarian traits are to be commended—his whack-job pseudo-science and gullibility, not so much.
The poor editing made some of the passages difficult to understand, and having the 35th president of the United States, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, referred to as John R Kennedy no less than five times, and as John E Kennedy once, was annoying. JV's going to have to show a little more attention to detail, before I can ever vote for him.
Recommendation: Worth the time, nonetheless.
NOOKbook edition, 279 pages
March 29, 2014
James Janos recreated himself as Jesse Ventura and made his living, famously, as a professional wrestler, wearing feather boas, and long blond locks and acting brash and flamboyant, more like a surfer dude than a Midwesterner This persona made it even more amazing that he was able to capture the governor's office in Minnesota, his native state. Ventura surprised many skeptics and sent party politics into turmoil, proving that third parties can be effective, at least at the state level. I have been curious about his policies and beliefs ever since. I found this book very interesting, finding out more about his personal life and ideologies. I find his reformist ideas quite refreshing and surprisingly similar to my own. It seems that, for various reasons, Jesse has decided to retire from politics. At a time when this country is being run by corporations and the wealth is increasingly being concentrated in the pockets of a very small group of people, I only hope that there are more reformists out there to try to fix the corrupted system.
August 21, 2012
A fast entertaining read that will also make you think. I like Ventura and would vote for him or Ron Paul for president. If you are starting to suspect that our political system is badly broken then this is a good introductory book for you, to stretch your thinking beyond the 2 party propaganda you see constantly. I have an immense amount of respect for people like Jesse Ventura, Gerald Celente, Ron Paul, Alex Jones, Adrian Salbuchi, who have the courage to honestly say what they see happening, even at great personal risk. I think Jefferson would be disgusted by the way the country is run now, and I think he would admire these people as well.
January 2, 2023
I doubt there has ever been a more interesting governor in U.S. history besides maybe Huey Long than Jesse Ventura and I think its very cool that he was the governor of my state when I was born. He's such a character with so many interesting stories and anecdotes as well as having such an unconventional career trajectory. He's got a few goofy ideas but I admire him and absolutely enjoyed this book.
January 21, 2022
Honest
I have always been a Jesse Ventura fan going back to his wrestling days. While I have never been to Minnesota, I've also always appreciated his honesty when it comes to politics and his views of things needing to change. If one takes time to read this book and listen to his interviews, it is really hard to argue against him. Very recommend.
I have always been a Jesse Ventura fan going back to his wrestling days. While I have never been to Minnesota, I've also always appreciated his honesty when it comes to politics and his views of things needing to change. If one takes time to read this book and listen to his interviews, it is really hard to argue against him. Very recommend.
August 29, 2024
Meandering and overly macho, but what would you expect from "The Body"? Has some interesting tidbits about his interactions with the CIA and other big political figures of the time, but it feels less like a focused memoir of his time as governor and more like a middle-aged guy just giving you his life story so far.
July 20, 2020
Another Great Book!
November 23, 2021
He is a colourful character and it was interesting hearing him out. Does America need more Jesse Ventura's in it's political structures. Well, in some ways, maybe it does. The two party system does seem stuck with fanatics on both sides, particularly of the religious kind. In many ways, it would be good to see folk with his kind of different background and way of thinking about things reflected more in US institutions. He is pretty convincing on drugs, Iraq, abortion, the influence of religion, lobbying, finance, the electoral college and the need for major constitutional reform. In other ways he seems to be a bit naive and prone to some fairly oddball views and conspiracy theories which I would think might make him a bit less suitable as a Presidential candidate! Though looking at some of the recent US Presidential choices...... The book's structure with him mulling over his career in Mexico is interesting. As is the spell in Harvard. I wouldn't have minded hearing a bit more about movies and wrestling but I guess that wasn't the point or it had been told elsewhere. The bragadaccio was a little tiring at times and some of the anecdotes and excerpts from the adoring wife are a little cringe inducing.
October 20, 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 took quite a few liberties. To me it's disturbing that a person like Ventura would endorse such a movie without apparently looking more closely at the subject. That, for me, makes everything about Ventura slightly suspicious. Just the same, I appreciate his message.
May 11, 2010
Jesse Ventura is the only man who could've pulled this off. His credibility is indisputable. As a Navy Seal, an Elected Official, and a serious author, he brings to the spotlight a myriad of conspiracies that beforehand could only see the light of day on YouTube Channels and underground reading. Although the material he presents is elementary, it's important to note that never before have these stories received such national exposure - most notably in his Television Series - Conspiracy Theory. I particularly enjoyed his case by case analysis of assassinations of historical figures and the patterns emerging from even amateur investigations. Most prominent of them - the only two Presidents ever to defy the Federal Reserve by printing Treasury Notes - JFK & Lincoln.
January 26, 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 you must read this book. It may not convince you pro/con on voting for this guy in the future, but perhaps it can counter-balance what you may hear from other sources.
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 you must read this book. It may not convince you pro/con on voting for this guy in the future, but perhaps it can counter-balance what you may hear from other sources.
February 8, 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 from Jesse’s wife Terry whose journal entries are interspersed throughout the biography. An insiteful, informative read.
July 11, 2014
Written in a fashion reminiscent of "Travels with Charlie" (unfortunately, the style of writing is not quite on par with Steinbeck's).
Entertaining, sometimes laugh out loud funny ramblings of a colorful personality. It gives you the feeling of listening to Mr. Ventura over some beers reciting episodes from his life, mostly from his political career.
He makes a good case for the Independent Party, and if you take everything he says on face value, he makes voting for either a Democrat or for a Republican equally unattractive.
My only question is : Who is this John R Kennedy Ventura is talking so much about? He was assassinated in Dallas in 1963...
Entertaining, sometimes laugh out loud funny ramblings of a colorful personality. It gives you the feeling of listening to Mr. Ventura over some beers reciting episodes from his life, mostly from his political career.
He makes a good case for the Independent Party, and if you take everything he says on face value, he makes voting for either a Democrat or for a Republican equally unattractive.
My only question is : Who is this John R Kennedy Ventura is talking so much about? He was assassinated in Dallas in 1963...
July 1, 2008
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 system you should give this one a shot, it will make you think about at least a few things.
July 14, 2009
While I find Ventura's views interesting, they are also over-simplified and seem to lack an understanding of some of the more complex issues that are faced on a wider national and international stage, seeming to have a more narrow view of a state governor, especially in the area of international relations. I also find his buying into a multitude of conspiracy theories disturbing to the point of paranoia, especially in the book's epilogue. Interesting read, but I find it difficult to take several aspects of it seriously.
June 8, 2016
This is one i picked up at a yard sale. It was pretty good, about Ventura bidding to get in the White House. It also has a lot of conspiracy theory loaded throughout it, including parts that reference the assassination of JFK.
The writing is pretty good here and overall it gave me more information on Ventura, whom I followed throughout his wrestling career and his films. He has had a very interesting life, and yes even today his words still get him in trouble.
Pretty good book and gave me more info on a unique guy.
Danny
The writing is pretty good here and overall it gave me more information on Ventura, whom I followed throughout his wrestling career and his films. He has had a very interesting life, and yes even today his words still get him in trouble.
Pretty good book and gave me more info on a unique guy.
Danny
Read
July 30, 2011I'm not sure what I was expecting - but The Body's ego is out there for all to see throughout - he thinks that he's a pretty witty guy - overall, there's some good stuff, but nothing you haven't heard before. 911 Conspiracy/JFK Conspiracy/Politics are Dirty/Minnesota Minnesota/I'm a Frogman. The descriptions of Baja, Mexico on the other hand were pretty intriguing, sounds like a beautiful place.
April 6, 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.
July 3, 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.
February 9, 2016
This is one of the most entertaining non-fiction books I've read. Some of the stories Ventura tells are pretty incredible. He talks about meeting Fidel Castro, wrestling, acting, meeting Dalai Lama, and of course, being governor of Minnesota. Many of the stories from these experiences are very amusing.
Want to read
April 9, 2008Ok, 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.
September 21, 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.
March 23, 2016
This book woke me up to what is really going on in American politics. After reading this book, I am much more aware of how the American political system operates and the challenges we face as a country.
August 20, 2012
Not impressive by any standards, but it may be just my bias against over simplification. Book lacks solid structure or advanced writing style. Reads like a 5th grade book. Logic tends to be overly simplistic.
June 20, 2013
This book really surprised me. I liked the tone, the juxtaposition of his experiences in office paralleling a lengthy road trip and "another life" far away from office. Pleasantly surprised by how well this book kept my interest and attention. Good job Gov.!
August 15, 2015
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. Many of the stories he tells are repeats from his two previous books. There are some new stories in here, and some really good bits well worth reading. I just didn't feel it was as good as the previous books.
August 8, 2008
Jesse is a great speaker, but not a great writer. I enjoyed the principles, but the writing was sub-par.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews