Jesse Ventura Tells It Like It Is: America's Most Outspoken Governor Speaks Out About Government
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 The text is illustrated with reproductions of historical documents and paintings as well as contemporary full-color photos, many of them of Ventura.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, MankatoCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.