Body Slam: The Jesse Ventura Story

by Jake Tapper

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312972024
• ISBN13: 9780312972028
• Release Date: May 1999
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 249 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.1" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

Post-Modern Populism and Grappler Politics

Jake Tapper has leveraged his unique insight into the mechanics of today's political process and produced an insightful, wry account of how an entertainer tapped the well-spring of populist rhetoric and rode a gusher of voter resentment to the Governor's mansion. As he details with deft clarity, celebrity in its own right has become a form of political capital in today's multi-media driven political process, where serious political dialogue competes with entertainment for voter attention. Tapper has provided a valuable commentary on media-driven political movements.

Tapper is the Goldberg of wrestling biographers.

With a prose as gripping as a sleeper hold, Tapper offers an insight into the rise of the most fascintating figure to enter American politics since Frank Rizzo. Ventura may have his own book out, but it's as unbiased as Mean Gene Okerlund's reporting. Tapper's book is an objective account about a man at the center of wrestling's renaissance in the 1980's and politics' rebirth in the 1990's. I couldn't put this book down. Tapper is a rising literary talent. Is he the Norman Mailer of the 21st century?

Tapper's Book a real Hoot

After reading this most excellent story (which everyone knows is REALLY about Hulk Hogan), I began to think to myself, "Hogan 2000 --- for President, nonetheless!"Jesse Ventura is a psuedonym for "Hulk," as I've mentioned earlier, and I really think that Tapper does a great job of capturing that.

Tapper is Truly Terrific

This is an excellent read. Mr. Tapper has done a masterful job of piecing together an intriguing story about one of the most fascinating political characters of our day. Unlike Mr. Ventura's self promoting autobiography, this book provides an unbiased and refreshing view at the life and times of Mr. Ventura. I would highly recommend this book to all.