Jesse Ventura Tells It Like It Is: America's Most Outspoken Governor Speaks Out About Government - Hardcover

Grade 5-9-Ventura offers his personal opinions in the guise of an explanation of the American political system. The self-congratulatory first chapter recounting his rise to political prominence sets the tone for the entire book. In an informal, conversational style laced with words such as "wanna" and "gonna," Minnesota's governor talks about the history of government in general and in the United States in particular. He discusses the Constitution, voting rights, lobbyists, and many other topics. Throughout, he makes clear his dislike of government and politicians. For example, he explains that the Second Amendment forbid laws against gun ownership and is designed to "protect you from too much government." He believes that "candidates are selling themselves to the highest bidder" and that the two major parties are manipulated by special interests. He talks at length about taxes, including the curious claim that when readers purchase items such as CDs, they are "helping to keep the U.S. government operating." The text is illustrated with reproductions of historical documents and paintings as well as contemporary full-color photos, many of them of Ventura. The annotated lists of books and Web sites include helpful, objective resources. Syl Sobel's How the U.S. Government Works (Barron's, 1999) and Betsy Maestro's The Voice of the People (Lothrop, 1996) are better, impartial introductions to the subject. Despite Ventura's announcement that he will not seek reelection, Minnesota libraries probably will want this volume. Librarians elsewhere can probably skip this highly opinionated survey.
Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 5-8. Now that Ventura has announced that he won't run for reelection as governor of Minnesota, this book seems dated. Still, the former wrestler has some interesting takes on government in the U.S., and he may get kids thinking about alternative ways of governing. His coauthor is probably responsible for much of the text; it seems unlikely that Ventura sat down to write a two-page spread on the history of suffrage, for example. Nevertheless, Ventura's brash, confident voice is heard throughout, in discussion of everything from the nature of government and the Constitution to the budget, third-party candidates, and ways for kids to participate. His personal viewpoint prevails, and he sometimes cuts a few corners in his discussion, as in his interpretation of the Second Amendment: "people have the right to own guns, and the government can't pass a law prohibiting you from doing so," ignoring that pesky bit about a "well-regulated militia." The layout is as bold and colorful as Ventura himself. The book's attractive look will draw readers in. A bibliography and a list of Web sites are appended. Ilene Cooper
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