Royal Family Years of Transition

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Royal Family Years of Transition
Theo Aronsen
Manufacturer: John Murray Ltd.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000J0KF1U

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ROYAL FAMILY: YEARS OF TRANSITION
Theo Aronson
Manufacturer: John Murray
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IAFHOG

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Royal Family: Years of Transition
Theo Aronson
Manufacturer: Salem House Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0881622516

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ROYAL FAMILY: YEARS OF TRANSITION.
Theo. Aronson
Manufacturer: Lon., Murray, 1983. 271 pp., illus. Fine copy of first edition in dust jacket.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UDUW1E

Amazon.com

"Career politicians are bought and sold," says Jesse Ventura, but "no one owns me. I come with no strings attached." His victory in the Minnesota gubernatorial race was one of the most surprising stories of the 1998 elections; even after he'd served as mayor of his small Minneapolis suburb, few pundits expected that the former pro wrestler, film actor, and radio personality had what it took to win a statewide campaign against two established politicians.

I Ain't Got Time to Bleed takes its title from the best remembered line in Ventura's film debut, the action/horror flick Predator. It's a phrase that neatly encapsulates his rough and tumble approach to political activism. In addition to a look behind the scenes at his campaign, and his stand on the issues affecting his state (particularly tax reform and public education), Ventura also shares with readers his experiences as a member of the U.S. Navy's SEAL program and as a pro wrestler. It's a lively read that's sure to satisfy his established fans and surprise skeptics with its thoughtful approach to politics and civic responsibility.

Book Description

When he left the navy SEALs to become a pro wrestler, the fans knew him as "Jesse, the Body."

When he hosted his hard-hitting KFAN radio talk show, he became "Jesse, the Mouth."

And now that this body-slamming, straight-talking, charismatic hero is masterminding Minnesota's gubernatorial decisions, you'd better start calling him "Jesse, the Mind."

In I Ain't Got Time to Bleed, Jesse Ventura reveals the secret of his landslide electoral success—with record voter turnout—and maps his innovative strategies for pioneering a new era in American government. In his own inimitable words, he takes on bloated government, career politicians, and apathetic voters, and tells the wildly colorful story of his days as a navy SEAL, his nights in the pro-wrestling ring, and his experiences on radio and in films like Predator and Batman and Robin .

I Ain't Got Time to Bleed is Rocky meets Mr. Smith Goes to Washington—a book that will challenge readers' ideas of traditional government as it introduces them to one of American politics' most ferocious new heroes.

Download Description

In I Ain't Got Time to Bleed, Jesse Ventura reveals the secrets of his landslide electoral success -- with record voter turnout -- end maps his innovative strategies for pioneering a new era in American government. In his own inimitable words, he takes on bloated government, career politicians, and apathetic voters, and tells the wildly colorful story of his days as a navy SEAL, his nights: in the pro-wrestling ring, and his experiences on radio and in films like Predator and Batman and Robin.

Customer Reviews:

Straight Talk from Jesse the Body.......2007-04-29

Jesse the Body had an unconventional career before being a politician, so he's able to take risks in disclosing his background and ideas in a manner very refreshing in today's political arena. Jesse starts with his background in the Navy, moves on to his life as a wrestler, and lastly the motivation behind his entrance into politics. The pop-autobiography shows a few more warts than most in the genre, perhaps due to Ventura's security with his persona and life. All in all it's a very fun ride!

Better than I thought it would be.......2007-01-15

The Jesse Ventura story is an example of the American Dream where an average man can push himself into places that he never would have thought that he would go.

Ventura was a Navy SEAL in Vietnam, then became a professional wrestler, wrestling commentator, radio host, Mayor and then Governor of Minneapolis.

Ventura writes pretty well and tells it the way he thinks it is (which is ok, everyone should have an opinion).

Perhaps the only point that I would like to make is that it appears a very political book - not as in discussing politics (from which he makes some good points) but the rhetoric about not running for President. He mentions it a few times throughout the book, almost as if he wants us to think about him in the role and to start to generate support for the White House bid. It just seemed to me to be a little self-serving. That is a minor point though and could be just my imagination.

All in all, a readable book and worth the time.

I Ain't Got Time to Bleed by Jesse Ventura.......2006-02-05

This work is written in a simple and uncomplicated conversational
style. The author discusses the desirability of raising money
modestly and the judicious use of television time in campaigning.
Governor Ventura is in favor of term limits, legal reform,
low taxes and the consumption tax. The beauty of the consumption
tax is that it penalizes excess consumption and frivolous
purchases. The author would have the government refund budget
surpluses. In addition, people should not be driven off their
land due to increasing tax valuations. New York's Harlem is
becoming unaffordable to people who've lived there for generations.

The author urges us to improve public education and basic
literacy. He asks that we make math/science relevant and
involve parents in the schooling process. Reduced class size
and student work-study programs provide additional enhancements to the learning environment. The internet is a tremendous
tool for learners according to the author.

Ultimately, Americans are pioneers and visionaries. This is our
basic strength as a country. To continue prospering, we should
build upon these strengths.

Inspiring Story of True Strength.......2006-01-18

The title of Jesse Ventura's memoir is taken from his famous line he delivered in the movie Predator. It is a great mantra for a former Navy SEAL, pro-wrestler, and man-of-the-people elected official. Once you get through the first chapter that explains Ventura's views on the issues of the day, the rest is an absorbing, humorous, truthful, and motivating memoir of a true tough guy who can put his money where his mouth is.

Jesse tells all in this memoir. When he was a young man, he worked hard, and played hard. Drinking and sex are included here. My eyebrows went up a few times. It is clear he is not covering anything up in order to look squeaky clean.

Anyone who reads this book will wish there were a million more Jesses holding political office, instead of the Democrat/Republican factory of career politicians who are addicted to power. I never seriously considered the validity or need for a third political party until I read this book.

Ex-Governance.......2005-12-27

All who complain about G. W. Bush, take note.
it's possible that things could be worse:

For instance, suppose "W" had been a boorish stage wrestler, bald of head and great of girth, flat of feet. Of course there are always a number of odd candidates for president, that is to say beyond the normal four or five, probably thousands of others, but most of these others are hapless delusional sorts, nutters, schizophrenics -- exceedingly few of them ever make it onto the ballot. But wait! There was one such, indeed, a bald wrestler, alluded to above, who became, well, not president, but nonetheless the governor of an actual state. No, I'm not making this up--Minnesota was the state. The wrestler's name was Jesse Ventura. You can check for yourself, in case you don't remember--nothing quite like this has happened in this country since Reconstruction.

This wrestler's campaign was mercurial, yet his platform was utterly simple, to the point: "I'm fed up to here with professional politicians and unresponsive government," he would roar. A fresh face he was, something new on the scene. Bald he was, too, yes, but so, too, Dwight Eisenhower and John Glenn and other politicians. But, then too, what ho, a screaming, mugging wrestler? Why, never before-- never! He and his "Reform Party" filled the news, picking up where the politically departed H. Ross Perot (remember him?) had left off. Outspoken, and brutally honest, that's what they said. So refreshingly honest was he, yet also so vain and egotistical that he refused to wear makeup, unlike so many others, and of course he refused a wig, as well, though his bald pate glistened under the television lights. He would never beautify himself! And besides, he wasn't that ugly, all told: One of his political opponents, the disappointing son of the famous Hubert H. Humphrey, was nearly baldheaded, too, and quite weak. Why, that one could barely bench press 100 lbs!!

Mr. Ventura, nicknamed "The Body" during his wrestling days, made short work of them all -- "Body" slammed 'em, you might say---his first real victory (those WWWWWF wrestling competitons are staged, you know).

And, thus, after "The Body" was elected, his celebrity status went way up, all the way up, to his (bald) head. He loved to give colorful interviews. Publicity-seeking wrestler no more, he was everything, now, in the public eye always, and, also, as he liked to suggest, was he ever so attractive to the opposite sex. He even told the women of Minnesota that he didn't wear underwear. (According to exit polls, Munsingwear sales went down in the state that year, while dead-bolt lock sales went accordingly up.) His moment had come, and he knew how to take advantage of it; and, after many years of choreographed stage wrestling, he knew how to get down and dance, too (after a shuffling fashion). Staid old St. Paul became Rap Central, after he and his wrestlemaniacs took over the hoary old governor's mansion, a domicile which during the past century had mainly been occupied by shy public servants of Norwegian extraction, virtually all bearing the truly unpretentious Minnesota surname "Anderson"! Thus taken by storm, none of those in the state who had never before been treated to television wrestling knew exactly what to think of it all, at first. No, they didn't know what to think of the new governor, not in the least, but before long they became embarrassed by him, for he seemed to crave ever more publicity, he fed off it, desperately, like a giant, manic, gluttonous, 275 lb. baby! He tried stunt after stunt! He offered to referee celebrity wrestling matches, and even to Return To The Ring! Why, he wanted to fly fifty feet through the air and go plop onto the wrasslin' mat!! And, what ho, these full-coverage publicity stunts became his prime occupation, for his job soon bored him, he became tired of all the endless confusing mundane details of statecraft and governance, his attention deficit disorder raged, he started to feud with the legislature; and oh, what a terrible, fireworks-filled, WWWWWF Battlestar Galactica that feud became! And yet, somehow, incredibly, he managed all the while to COMPLAIN ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT more bitterly than ever before, as though he were some kook in the street, say, or some Somalian-hating Minneaplolis cab driver crank, with a loud opinion on every subject, who had inhaled too many of his own exhaust fumes. It almost seemed, in this respect, that no one had told him he had actually been elected, and that he was the governor of the very state whose government he was attacking!!

"I'm sick of Me!!!" he as much as said, and the public soon came to agree. They, too, became sick of the bad government.

One year after the election, NO ONE in the whole of Minnesota would admit to having voted for him. This Great Baldheaded No-Underwear Wrasslin' Reform Populist Governor was as UNpopular as Herbert Hoover had ever been during the Great Depression! Rather than taking responsibility for having voted for him, many adults blamed the whole problem of his having ever become governor on the 18-yr-olds who had been given the vote just before the election. Obviously, this argument was unfair-- that is to say, few 18-yr-olds could ever be as immature as "The Body."

Well, the state survived, though barely able to stand against his powerful slams, and though many decent souls did in fact move to Iowa, Wisconsin, Canada, North and South Dakota, while some stoics stayed put and opened their veins in silent protest. Nowadays, no one left alive in Minnesota would even think of voting for him. Why, he couldn't even get himself elected as a dog catcher --too opinionated, and too lazy. He would immediately come out against catching dogs! Not even garbage collector--of Zumbrota!! Why, he can't even publish one of his ego-letters to the editor; not even the New Ulm Daily Journal will have anything to do with him! Not even the poor little Sleepy Eye one-pager! The retired governor couldn't even get in a word in a local retirement home newsletter, not even edgewise!

I guess he'll just have to write another bad ghost book, a sort of sequel to his first. A good title for it? Gee, that's a good question. How's about, "What the (Vulgar Expletives) Is Wrong With This Country?" But to hear him crank off these days, you'll have to go pay him a visit--but beware, he has Rottweilers, and, besides, he, too, like so many others affected by his slammings, has left the state. He's outa-there!!

"Where could he possibly have gone?" you might ask yourself. Whithersoever such a wrasslin' man to wander?

Where, indeed, did he go? Did he go back on wrestling tour, as the "Bad Blood Monster Guv"? Is he now on stage, pummelling flabby fall guy Skip Humphrey, kicking Skip's stomach, and mashing Skip's poor face into the canvas with many a roar and thumping gorilla chest? A revenge match or two? No, no, he threw his back out a couple of years ago, no more flips. Those days are long gone, now. No, THAT didn't happen, and won't, either, but here's the REAL answer:

He went to, I'm not making this up, Harvard, to study, guess what, no, never mind, you'll never guess it, but I'll tell you anyway, and I'm not making this one up, either--GOVERNMENT!!! But at least the authorities make him wear, at the minimum, boxer shorts, before he is allowed on campus. He gets checked daily--the co-eds insist!

And get this, shades of John Quincy Adams and Andrew Johnson--a political comeback! Rumor has it that, due to some confusion of language, Mr. Body wanted to run for Student Body President, but was found to be ineligible--too old, these days!!!

In a certain sense he did reform politics from the bottom up, but the whole bad act never got very far up off the bottom....

I ain't got time to bleed : rebuilding the body politic from the bottom up

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I ain't got time to bleed : rebuilding the body politic from the bottom up
Jesse Ventura
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00005W4K4

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Pathetic and Offensive
Story had potential, author dropped the ball
Great writing, interesting and objective take...
Somewhat Informative
TERRIBLE!

Body Slam: The Jesse Ventura Story
Jake Tapper
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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Book Description

In every arena, Jesse Ventura puts a headlock on the competition--now he's turning the country on its ear

How did an outrageous, outspoken, boa-wearing pro wrestler nab the title of Minnesota's governor in an overwhelming upset? This is the question the nation is asking--and Washington journalist Jake Tapper provides the fascinating answers. From Jesse Ventura's Navy SEAL days, to his infamous wrestling years, to his stunning political victory, read the story of the Body, a man who truly embodies the American Dream.

Get the real story on:
-His intense training to become an elite Navy SEAL and his experiences overseas during the Vietnam War
-His lengthy career in the pro wrestling field--from flamboyant pro wrestler to colorful commentator--including his feuds with Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon Jr.
-Ventura's acting stints, including a part in the film Predator
-How the Body mouthed his way to the top of shock radio
-His rise through the ranks of politics, from mayor to governor--and maybe beyond
-Ventura's political vision--what he sees for Minnesota and the country
-And Much, much more!

The Body Politic Will Never Be the Same

with 8 pages of amazing photos

Customer Reviews:

Pathetic and Offensive.......2000-07-26

I read this book to get an idea of what the masses are learning about Jesse Ventura. I'm a political science buff in Minnesota and can tell you that this book is a shallow portrayal of our surprisingly complex governor. Poorly written, poorly researched, this book was quickly written for distribution in grocery stores ect. This is not a serious or insightful biography, and should be avoided.

Story had potential, author dropped the ball.......2000-04-27

Unlike other books on the Body, Tapper took the low road with this dull expose. Avoid the book. Period!

Great writing, interesting and objective take..........2000-03-28

Tapper's done a fine job in capturing the "right-place-right-time" that has marked so much of Ventura's life. Using Ventura as an entre to explore the worlds of the Navy SEALs, pro wrestling, talk radio, and action movies, Tapper dissects and explains eccentricities of American culture. A gifted and heralded political correspondent for Salon.com, Tapper's a fine writer; his book on Ventura does not disappoint.

Somewhat Informative.......2000-03-05

This is the first book/first anything I've ordered on-line (I ordered it in December and received it on Christmas Eve). Very prompt and professional service. Anyway, as far as book content, this (the book) wasn't written professionally by any means. It appears to be aimed towards WWF fans with WWF mentality. Or at the very least (and most charitable), young people and/or people who don't have a large vocabulary. It was informative, however, gave a different perspective on "the Body"! The author interviews people who knew Jesse in different stages of his life. Any book or video on Jesse Ventura, whether authorized by him or not, will draw me to it like a magnet! Huge fan, huge follower, agree with much of what he has to say! Having been raised 5 minutes or less from Minnesota, there's a more personal connection for me! :) I highly recommend this book to any fan of Gov. Ventura's!

TERRIBLE!.......1999-12-04

The book's garish, campy cover does justice to the actual content of this schlocky book. Inane, boring, shallow analysis coupled with the low-brow antics of the sleazy Ventura (don't believe the hype, Ventura is a flash in the pan). What compelling book does Tapper have in store for us? Pray we don't find out......

Jesse "The Body" Ventura (Champion Sport Biographies)

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Jesse "The Body" Ventura (Champion Sport Biographies)
Joseph Romain
Manufacturer: Warwick House Pub.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1894020731

Jesse Ventura The Body, The Mouth, The Mind

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Jesse Ventura The Body, The Mouth, The Mind
Daniel Cohen
Manufacturer: Twenty-First Century Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000W8HS9Q

Jesse Ventura: The Story of the Wrestler They Call "the Body" (Pro Wrestling Legends)

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Jesse Ventura: The Story of the Wrestler They Call "the Body" (Pro Wrestling Legends)
Matt Hunter
Manufacturer: Chelsea House Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0791055566

The Wit and Wisdom of Jesse 'the Body...the Mind' Ventura

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Hollywood want-a-be or governor want-a-be you decide...
Genuine Philiosophical Quotes

The Wit and Wisdom of Jesse 'the Body...the Mind' Ventura
Jessica Allen
Manufacturer: Harper Perennial
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Amazon.com

Here's a collection of quotes from Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura. Get Ventura's opinion on everything from pro wrestling ("It's adult soap opera--ballet with violence") to campaigning on a third-party ticket ("I didn't shake things up. The voters did! They elected me! They're responsible!") to issues like the legalization of drugs and prostitution, education reform, and gay rights ("I have two friends who have been together for forty-one years. If one of them becomes sick, the other one is not even allowed to be at the bedside. I don't believe government should be so hostile, so mean-spirited.... Love is bigger than government.") The book also includes the full text of his inauguration speech.

Book Description

Jesse Ventura earned his fame during his eleven-year career as a professional wrestler, and later as a commentator for the sport. His induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame shows what a major influence he played. The bad boy of wrestling during his heyday, Ventura used some of his learned wrestling techniques outside the ring -- such as showmanship, outrageous antics, and manipulation of the media -- to aid in his gubernatorial campaign.

In addition, his experience as a radio host, and his roles in a variety of movies, made Ventura a visible -- and perhaps more viable -- candidate.

Customer Reviews:

Hollywood want-a-be or governor want-a-be you decide..........1999-09-27

Why in the world would anyone want to spend a nickel on this book. My advice, make a charitable contribution and feel good that your money is going to someone who appreciates it.

Genuine Philiosophical Quotes.......1999-05-22

Although I don't like the fact that Gov. Ventura did not authorize this book. It is great because the person, who created the quotes in the first place is pure philsophical excellence.

The body politic registers a protest: Jesse Ventura's stunning victory in Minnesota was more than a fluke.: An article from: Campaigns & Elections

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The body politic registers a protest: Jesse Ventura's stunning victory in Minnesota was more than a fluke.: An article from: Campaigns & Elections
David Beiler
Manufacturer: Campaigns & Elections, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Campaigns & Elections, published by Campaigns & Elections, Inc. on February 1, 1999. The length of the article is 5585 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the supplier: Former professional wrestler Jesse Ventura unexpectedly won in the Nov 1998 elections for governor of Minnesota. His win has baffled political analysts because he was regarded by the public as a tough guy and he had very little funds compared to his opponents, Norm Coleman and Skip Humphrey. One advantage, however, was his extensive name recognition. Moreover, Ventura came to be recognized by the public as the champion of the less influential people against the big powers.

Citation Details
Title: The body politic registers a protest: Jesse Ventura's stunning victory in Minnesota was more than a fluke.
Author: David Beiler
Publication: Campaigns & Elections (Refereed)
Date: February 1, 1999
Publisher: Campaigns & Elections, Inc.
Volume: 20 Issue: 1 Page: 34(8)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

JESSE VENTURA: BODY-SLAMMING THE ENVIRONMENT?(Brief Article): An article from: E

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JESSE VENTURA: BODY-SLAMMING THE ENVIRONMENT?(Brief Article): An article from: E
Bridget Falbo
Manufacturer: Earth Action Network, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B00098YQ4O
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from E, published by Earth Action Network, Inc. on September 1, 1999. The length of the article is 482 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: JESSE VENTURA: BODY-SLAMMING THE ENVIRONMENT?(Brief Article)
Author: Bridget Falbo
Publication: E (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 1, 1999
Publisher: Earth Action Network, Inc.
Volume: 10 Issue: 5 Page: 19

Article Type: Brief Article

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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Body Slam: The Jesse Ventura Story
Jake Tapper
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTM640

Book Description

Blaise Cendrars, one of twentieth-century France's most gifted men of letters, came to Hollywood in 1936 for the newspaper Paris-Soir. Already a well-known poet, Cendrars was a celebrity journalist whose perceptive dispatches from the American dream factory captivated millions. These articles were later published as Hollywood: Mecca of the Movies, which has since appeared in many languages. Remarkably, this is its first translation into English.
Hollywood in 1936 was crowded with stars, moguls, directors, scouts, and script girls. Though no stranger to filmmaking (he had worked with director Abel Gance), Cendrars was spurned by the industry greats with whom he sought to hobnob. His response was to invent a wildly funny Hollywood of his own, embellishing his adventures and mixing them with black humor, star anecdotes, and wry social commentary.
Part diary, part tall tale, this book records Cendrars's experiences on Hollywood's streets and at its studios and hottest clubs. His impressions of the town's drifters, star-crazed sailors, and undiscovered talent are recounted in a personal, conversational style that anticipates the "new journalism" of writers such as Tom Wolfe.
Perfectly complemented by his friend Jean Guérin's witty drawings, and following the tradition of European travel writing, Cendrars's "little book about Hollywood" offers an astute, entertaining look at 1930s America as reflected in its unique movie mecca.

Amazon.com

Americans are afraid of many things that shouldn't frighten them, writes Barry Glassner in this book devoted to exploding conventional wisdom. Thanks to opportunistic politicians, single-minded advocacy groups, and unscrupulous TV "newsmagazines," people must unlearn their many misperceptions about the world around them. The youth homicide rate, for instance, has dropped by as much as 30 percent in recent years, says Glassner--and up to three times as many people are struck dead by lightening than die by violence in schools. "False and overdrawn fears only cause hardship," he writes. In fact, one study shows that daughters of women with breast cancer are actually less likely to conduct self-examinations--probably because the campaign to increase awareness of the ailment also inadvertently heightens fears.

Although some sections are stronger than others, The Culture of Fear's examination of many nonproblems--such as "road rage," "Internet addiction," and airline safety--is very good. Glassner also has a sharp eye for what causes unnecessary goose bumps: "The use of poignant anecdotes in place of scientific evidence, the christening of isolated incidents as trends, depictions of entire categories of people as innately dangerous," and unknown scholars who masquerade as "experts." Although Glassner rejects the notion that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, he certainly shows we have much less to fear than we think. And isn't that sort of scary? --John J. Miller

Book Description

In late 2002, Barry Glassner appeared in Michael Moore's Academy Award-winning movie, Bowling for Columbine, to discuss The Culture of Fear. The reaction to Glassner's appearance, and the message of his book, were overwhelming.

As Glassner describes, the American public remains fascinated by the specter of fear in their lives. Be it the proverbial dark-faced bogeyman, or a more recent epidemic of child snatchings, Americans allow their lives to be affected by a perceived and recurrent onslaught of tragedy, death, and fear.

A national bestseller, The Culture of Fear explains why Americans are afraid, exposing the people and organizations that manipulate our perceptions and profit off our anxieties: politicians who attempt to win elections by heightening concerns about drug use and crime; advocacy groups that raise money by exaggerating the prevalence of particular diseases; and finally and perhaps most perniciously, the media that peddle new scares each week in desperate attempts to garner ratings.

Written in a vivid, entertaining style, The Culture of Fear does more than debunk prevalent myths of impending doom, it also asks us to reconsider our participation in the national charade of fear and suspicion which, according to Glassner, is eroding the trust necessary to truly ensure safety in the public square.

Customer Reviews:

Lacks Credibility and Debth.......2007-08-20

I initially had high hopes for this book but instead was completely disgusted. The author meticulously points out every flaw with the right wing or media studies. However, he disproves them using other studies that fit his theories but never offers any reason why his example studies are valid. Why, if the other studies were incorrect and poorly executed, should we believe that the studies he cites are any different? What makes them credible? It seems as if they are offered as correct and credible simply because they fit his liberal agenda. As someone who equally criticizes both liberals and conservatives, I need more explanation in order to believe his words. By not taking the extra time to explain, he loses all sense of credibility.

Furthermore, Mr. Glassner dissects every issue in his book, offering underlying explanations and motives to the fears. However, a gross lack of depth is shown when he says something such as "[i]t's the guns, stupid." What a shallow argument. He never offers any reasonable statement as to *why* it's the guns. He doesn't explore the reasons behind why people shoot others. He doesn't examine the motives, the societal influences or any other of the number of causes of gun violence. Instead, he blames it all on the guns, as if they simply shoot on their own. His focus on this issue has absolutely no depth of research or explanation and shows his greatest weakness: putting an agenda ahead of real study and examination. Instead of looking at the *reasons* why people commit violence and murder, such as mental instability, extreme religious beliefs, gangs, or whatever else, the author chalks it all up to the shallow argument that a tool, just a single tool, is responsible for all the ills of society. Obviously, as tragedies such as the Oklahoma City bombing and 9/11 have shown, guns are not the sole reason for evil, though by reading Glassner's work, you would never know that.

I expected much more from a respected sociologist. This book was possibly the worst I've read in years. It seems as if Mr. Glasner never learned the art of persuasive argument writing. You can only persuade one if your own information is credible and valid. His isn't.

Don't bother reading this book. I deeply regret buying it.

Listless re-telling of what we already know... it's like a lecture in modern society with an edge towards fear.......2007-07-18

Being called "The Culture of Fear", it's only inevitable that subjects discussed could be disturbing, controversial, shocking, and sometimes depressing or terrifying.

Unfortunately, Barry Glassner, brilliant as he may be, just doesn't seem into the subject he has obviously put a lot of research into. It proudly delves into the depths of why Americans are afraid of the wrong things, and then goes about like a college professor lecturing to an apathetic class in the last years of his career with a big pension on the horizon.

He explains subjects methodically, then casually slips to the alter side of it, in such a way it sounds as if he were saying in a falsely lively tone, "Murders have gone down n%, HOWEVER murder coverage has gone up nnn%! Isn't that something?" or "Racism is a problem, as this 'n' report states, although the reverse is also true that n% of hate crimes has been about race as opposed to..."

It becomes lifeless, and loses its feel of a nonfiction work of research and more like hundreds of pages of statistics and numbers taped together and strung together with words so as to make it coherent. In all, it becomes a dull expose' which really, all in all, doesn't tell us anything we didn't already know.

Falls victim himself.......2007-06-29

Glasser starts off with an interesting enough premise in the vein of Freakonomics. He makes the valid enough (in my opinion) point that there are those who would like us to fear (pick your issue) for various reasons. These can be to distract people from other issues, to curry power and favor, etc.

Unfortunately he then goes on to engage in the very tactics he decries in others.

For example: he starts by (accurately) stating how overblown the issue of child on child vioence has become, and quotes a criminologist (Vincent Schiraldi)'s statement that a child killing another at school is an "anomolous" event.

A few pages later he uses the same event to rail against gun ownership in the U.S.

I find it difficult to see how the same event can be used in one case to show how something is not worth worrying about and then in the same breath that it is an example of rampant gun problems and we should take immediate action.

He continues like this (engages in disparaging people for creating the "PC" label to diminish views they don't like -- but then disparages "conservative" views (which he thinks he has a handle on).

He is clearly a victim of his own preconceived ideas about what is a problem and what is not.

Too bad -- it could have been a good book.

a primer of poor social science.......2007-05-15

All right, kids, it's time to learn specious reasoning and poor quantitative methods! You can find them both in Barry Glassner's SCARY expose:

Technique #1: Prove by speculation. As Glassner "shows" us how the Missing Children campaigns prey on our fears, he speculates on our feelings about the ads: "The photo of the missing child immediately elicits feelings of guilt, fear, and fascination." Really?

Technique #2: Prove by sketchy example. As we learn how fears about teenage pregnancies are overblown, Glassner gives the single example of two Kentucky teen mothers who had great GPAs but were denied membership in the National Honor Society. One counter-example, alas, does not a trend destroy. [My bad, Glassner also gives an example from the Ricki Lake Show. VERY convincing.]

Technique #3: Repeatedly use phrases like "studies show" and "researchers document" because if studies show it, it MUST be true! This is where Glassner departs sharply from such skilled writers as Malcolm Gladwell (The Tipping Point, Blink) or Steve Levitt and Stephen Dubner (Freakonomics). Whether or not you agree with their theses, they provide detailed descriptions of research in layperson's terms so that you can evaluate it yourself. Glassner expects you to merely believe it's true since some study showed it.

Technique #4: Accuse other studies of abusing statistics, then wait a few pages so readers forget and do the same thing yourself. On p70, Glassner writes, "If instead of percentages reporters concentrated either on the actual numbers of such crimes...they wouldn't have much of a story." Good point! Agreed! And on p73, we read, "studies find that young people incarcerated with adults are five times more likely to be sexually assaulted...than youth in juvenile facilities." Yes, but what are the numbers? We don't know!

When Glassner ISN'T trying to prove things with his super-special techniques, he actually makes a few good points. The media DO seem to blow many of these issues out of proportion (although early on he claims it isn't all the media's fault, the book makes it seem like MOSTLY the media's fault), and that has sometimes led to wildly inefficient policies or the rejection of scientific findings (without any convincing alternative findings). Glassner offers some interesting cultural hypotheses (for example, we focus on crack rather than powder cocaine because it lets us blame poor people for being poor). The book has some great anecdotes. Just don't expect to be convinced of anything you don't already believe.

Fantastic.......2007-04-17

This book is a must-read for anyone who reads the newspaper, watches the news, or listens to the radio. It's also helpful if you are prone to modern-day anxiety attacks. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

THE FEARFUL ANGELS OF OUR NATURE. (book reviews): An article from: Skeptic (Altadena, CA)

Average customer rating:

THE FEARFUL ANGELS OF OUR NATURE. (book reviews): An article from: Skeptic (Altadena, CA)
Michael Shermer
Manufacturer: Skeptics Society & Skeptic Magazine
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Skeptic (Altadena, CA), published by Skeptics Society & Skeptic Magazine on June 22, 1999. The length of the article is 1386 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: THE FEARFUL ANGELS OF OUR NATURE. (book reviews)
Author: Michael Shermer
Publication: Skeptic (Altadena, CA) (Refereed)
Date: June 22, 1999
Publisher: Skeptics Society & Skeptic Magazine
Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Page: 93

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

The Culture of Fear: Why Americans Are Afraid of the Wrong Things

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The Culture of Fear: Why Americans Are Afraid of the Wrong Things
Barry Glassner
Manufacturer: Basic Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000J32KVK

Book Description

Imagine thinking about your company's information technology in the same way that you think about its investment portfolio: as a bundle of assets that--when managed right--will generate revenues and savings. Here's just such a framework for leveraging IT (technology, networks, data, and software)--one that enables business managers to make the important decisions about the potentially confounding mix of high-technology that influences near- and long-term planning, affects the ability to support customers, and dictates the flow of daily operations. Drawing upon their rigorous research with more than 100 top multinationals, the authors present a rich and varied range of examples of IT investment strategies that have reaped rewards for firms such as Citibank, Honda, Johnson & Johnson, Ralston Purina, the Development Bank of Singapore, and Telstra. This hands-on resource, compete with benchmarks and case studies, creates the common ground where both management and IT can meet, communicate their goals, and agree on the best plan for getting there.

Customer Reviews:

Thorough Survey.......2003-02-13

I found this book quite helpful for my team. It covers the current issues quickly and well. Although it is repetitive, the book presents a tapestry that steers thinking in IT toward strategic alignment. The book lays the foundation for the holistic integration of IT and business strategy, using techniques (though not explicitly) of portfolio management, continuous improvement, teambuilding, and enterprise architecture modeling.

I highly recommend this book. It should be paired with a more enterprise architecture centric book to provide a complete actionable background. That said, the book stands alone to plant the foundation for successful IT/Strategy convergence.

start with 20 pages.......2000-11-27

This book has a tendency to reiterate the same concepts over and over, but they are 'sensible' concepts. Managing the projects and having measurements for the use of infrastructure in todays businesses is critical. More important is the methods used to weigh the benefits of investing more into a global infrastructure vs. a LOB infrastructure. the second half of the book reads faster than the first, but 20-30 pages a day will get you through it in know time and allow you to consume the message.

A Two Hi-Liter Book.......1999-06-06

Super book! This book adds value to something most companies are yet to figure out they have or need--an IT infrastructure. The book makes a case that the infrastructure is the key to competitive edge. Sold! I believe it. Read this book and you'll also be convinced.

Regrettably, some of the readers won't "get it" hence the competitive edge. If you don't get, check your altitude. You may be flying too low. In my view, infrastructure only looks like infrastructure from on high. Think end to end. The secret is to gain enough altitude to see it. Believe me--whether you see it or not--it's there and costing you big bucks! So soar! Gain altitude until you see the infrastructure. Let this book be the wind beneath your wings.

Don't just take Weill and Broadbent's word for it. What is your favorite IT guru saying about this subject?

You will undoubtedly conclude that this book is on target and on the money! Read it. Let it soak in. Then start Leveraging the New Infrastructure.

An interesting new idea - but repeated over and over.......1999-04-30

The premise of this work provides a very interesting and easily recallable way of thinking of IT resources - a pyramid structure the breaks down IT into 4 major areas. The only problem is that the idea is repeated ad nauseum. There are a few interesting case studies, but the 'core ideas' could have been stated in about 1/3 the pages.

REQUISITE READING for Information Age strategists........1999-03-30

Information technology has made possible the Information Age. Today, organizations are wrestling with the monumentally complex decisions about how to invest in this ever-advancing technology-investment decisions that are shaping the competitive destiny of corporations. How such decisions are made and how they should be made is at the heart of this book.

The central theme is linking strategy with a firm's IT portfolio: its total investment in an IT infrastructure. The authors explore four approaches to such infrastructure investment decisions, ranging from none to an enabling view that positions the firm to optimize its IT core competence in a strategically flexible manner. The authors have synthesized the approach market leaders take to leveraging IT. This books reveals how IT creates business value, and how top performing firms use IT in alignment with their current and future needs and goals. The book's concluding section addresses how to manage the IT portfolio for optimum business results. The book includes, among many of its nuggests, a useful grouping of infrastructure services into 8 management clusters.

Reading this book is a delightful educational experience; it is also REQUISITE READING for all strategists. Reviewed by Gerry Stern, founder, Stern & Associates, author of Stern's Sourcefinder The Master Directory to HR and Business Management Information & Resources, Stern's CyberSpace SourceFinder, and the Compensation and Benefits SourceFinder.

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