"Disney is so good at being good that it manifests an evil; so uniformly efficient and courteous, so dependably clean and conscientious, so un...
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Apr 25, 2008
Kristen
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Before you spend $9 on this book you need to know that it's less than 100 pages. This is not so much a book but a critical essay. Many Disney lovers have obviously read and reviewed this book and written scathing reviews, you will notice that most of these reviewers live far away from the Disney machine. I grew up in Florida and lived for 4 years of it in Orlando, less than 20 minutes from Disney. Many of my friends worked there, we dealt with the Disney machine on a daily basis.
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Nov 13, 2011
Beth
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Okay.
I have a feeling that my opinion on this book won't be a popular one among many of my fellow Floridians. But I really did not agree with most of what Hiaasen had to say in this book. I think it's because I am not a native to Florida and I still consider myself a West Virginian. A West Virginian who tried desperately for six months to get a job after graduating college in her home state only to have to move to Florida because there are NO opportunities in WV. Maybe I'm a bit jaded.
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I have a feeling that my opinion on this book won't be a popular one among many of my fellow Floridians. But I really did not agree with most of what Hiaasen had to say in this book. I think it's because I am not a native to Florida and I still consider myself a West Virginian. A West Virginian who tried desperately for six months to get a job after graduating college in her home state only to have to move to Florida because there are NO opportunities in WV. Maybe I'm a bit jaded.
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May 06, 2011
Alexandra
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Books like this really spark my interest. I am a HUGE Disney fan & I love everything Disney but it's always interesting to read the opinions of people who despise it with every fiber of their being & to hear the reasons why.
This book, however, didn't really give solid evidence of anything. Maybe one court case regarding poorly constructed houses in Country Walk. But everything else..not so much. And in regards to the dalmation chapter, Disney is a huge corportation. It is bound to h More...
This book, however, didn't really give solid evidence of anything. Maybe one court case regarding poorly constructed houses in Country Walk. But everything else..not so much. And in regards to the dalmation chapter, Disney is a huge corportation. It is bound to h More...
Sep 07, 2010
Rebecca
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A fun polemic, full of good-natured vitriol. Occasionally relies on some spurious notions, like the assumption that the Times Square Disney store was responsible for displacing all the infamous perversion vendors. Still, Hiaasen's essay compellingly argues that Disney's ever-growing, tentacular hold on America is deadening both our culture and our democracy.
The company offers a bland but effective cocktail of commercial aspirations to children, angry teens, and striving adults alike- More...
The company offers a bland but effective cocktail of commercial aspirations to children, angry teens, and striving adults alike- More...
Jul 10, 2008
Tori
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This book is incredible, and forever changed by mind about the Disney machine. While some may laugh about a class in the Sociology of Disney, and blow it off as cake, I learned much about this and other American corporations that come off as "friend brands." A very short book, I highly recommend that everyone swayed by the Disney Marketing agenda read this and see the lives behind the scenes...and the amazing writing doesn't hurt.
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Dec 10, 2008
Doublejack
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This thin volume is a very quick read, and it starts off in a romp of well-written vitriol, a veritable salad of $10 words that promise a portrait of Disney that will reveal that company's avaricious and cynical soul.
But the rest of the book fails to fully deliver. Or rather over-delivers, but with misdirecting filler in place of convincing content. Hiassen's contempt for Disney is evident on every page, in nearly every paragraph. Yet too much of the mud he's slinging misses The M More...
But the rest of the book fails to fully deliver. Or rather over-delivers, but with misdirecting filler in place of convincing content. Hiassen's contempt for Disney is evident on every page, in nearly every paragraph. Yet too much of the mud he's slinging misses The M More...
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Mar 02, 2011
Ken
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An insightful look at how the Disney empire manipulates local governments for its own benefits, often denigrating and harming citizens who are concerned about the effects Disney developments might have on their societies. Whether you are a Disney fan or not, you will come away with an entirely new perspective. Carl Hiassen, a popular author of Florida mysteries, was first known as a muckraking journalist who was well respected for his research and thoroughness. He also has a strong love for his
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Dec 02, 2009
he raises some great points yet fails to deliver on how disneyfication slaughters "real" Florida or even dig up any dirt on disney world or its cast members. more research would have thickened up this bloated essay and given us something to think about--what do all these theme parks do to Floridians psychologically? How does the disneyfication reflect america's fascist obsession with safety and sanitation? if you want a good read about Florida and her troubles with tourism, try Grun
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Aug 18, 2008
Jonathan
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Carl Hiaasen has a chip on his shoulder - an obsessive hatred of the Disney Corporation. As far as I can tell he hates Disney because they have a strong brand and are successful. I was expecting this book to reveal a lot of shocking dirt on Disney. While there are certainly instances in the books where Disney acted arrogantly or where their actions led to some bad consequences for people, there is nothing too surprising. It seems like Disney is actually pretty well behaved as far as corpora
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Dec 07, 2008
Bob
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I would have liked a little more depth but still manages to be intriguing. Disney is a horrible and dangerous entity made worse by the "tourons" who flock there every year with screaming children who are too young to know what is going on in tow.
"Disney is so good at being good that it manifests evil; so uniformly efficient and courteous, so dependably clean and conscientious, so unfailingly entertaining that it's unreal, and therefore is an agent of pure wickedness."
"Disney is so good at being good that it manifests evil; so uniformly efficient and courteous, so dependably clean and conscientious, so unfailingly entertaining that it's unreal, and therefore is an agent of pure wickedness."
Dec 17, 2008
Stefani
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This guy hates Disneyland! Not to say he shouldn't - but I would have liked to see this short book turned into a larger piece. It felt more like a magazine article. (Maybe it was - I did not spend that much time "researching" it.) He is a good writer, but his snide terminology rather irritates me. The use of "Team Rodent" is a little to cutesy/cool/angry, and the way he refers to Michael Eisner as "Insane Clown Michael," is just weird.
Mar 15, 2010
Lauren
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The most concise, scathing review of Disney that I've read yet. Hassen manages to pack multiple juicy stories about Disney's misadvenures in this slim 83 page book (essay, really) - it's a quick and engrossing read. I did find his tone over the top at points, however. His disgust for Disney is understandable as a Florida native, but I think he'd gain more credibility if he toned down the language.
Jun 30, 2011
Christine
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This is the most recent pick for my book club at work. I'm sure I never would have picked it up otherwise, but thoroughly enjoyed it. Well, "enjoyed" might not be the right word. I went into it already loathing Disney, so I was pretty much on the same page as Hiaasen. This book just confirmed all of my worst nightmares about Disney and their creepy attempts to TAKE OVER THE WORLD. It's an amusing little book, but horrifying at the same time.
Jul 18, 2009
Liza
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Hiaasen, normally known for his screwball mysteries set in Florida, here takes on the Disney corporation in an investigative essay. Holding the company accountable for the environmental damage done over decades in the region, Hiaasen uses his experience as a newspaperman and researcher to full effect. Not to be missed by those who want to be responsible consumers of Disney culture.
Jan 14, 2010
Peacegal
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Hiaasen takes a biting look at the way in which the "happiest place on earth" has changed his beloved Florida for the worst. You might have second thoughts about visiting the world's most famous theme park after finishing this slim, but compulsively readable, volume.
Sep 01, 2009
Kristie
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Definitely opens your eyes up to the world of Disney. Short and sweet and full of interesting behind the scenes stories I had never heard. The fact that one of Carl Hiassens goals was to get banned from the place is enough reason to read it.
Jul 28, 2009
Kristina
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A quick read. If you are cynical about the greatness of Uncle Walt's empire this will appeal to you. Hiassen was a reporter before he wrote fiction. The book comes across as sensational but also gives the reader plenty to contemplate.
Apr 15, 2009
Alan
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Hiaasen turns his acerbic wit on the homogenizing evil that is Disney. Really, like shooting ducks in a barrel, but so much better-written than other books of its kind. A little dated at 10 years old, but still fascinating.
Aug 05, 2011
Marli
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Trust Carl to get to the heart of the Disney "problem." Lots of insight and truth about a huge company that has far too great a hold on the public world-wide and has made Central Florida dependent on its revenue generating tourist mecca.
Apr 10, 2010
Mr. Steve
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I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was humorous and thought provoking. I gave the author more credibility than I had anticipated because Hiassen did give Disney positive feedback at times. All in all, it was a quick, entertaining and informative read.
May 05, 2011
Josh
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We had a great family trip to Disney World. After a really good time in the sticky sweet world of Disney, I came back wanting to cleanse my palate with some pure bile. Thanks, Carl Hiaasen.
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Jan 03, 2012
Patsy
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I love the way Carl Hiaasen writes his novels. This is the first opinion piece I have read by him and I enjoyed it thoroughly! At only 87 pages it is a very quick and fun read.
Nov 08, 2010
Terry
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One could easily make the case that Microsoft is at least as "evil" an empire as Disney. At least Hiassen makes sniping a Disney and all it stands for fun and a funny read.
Jun 18, 2010
Connie
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Jeff and I listened to the book on our way to a conference. I suggested a trip in September to Disneyworld and he said no. Emphatically.
Dec 12, 2008
Mark
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I don't fully agree with Hiaasen's vehemence against the Mousy Menace, but I do enjoy listening to him rave . . . . "Death to Mickey!"
Jun 28, 2011
Tom
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A quick, if dated, read for Disneyphobes (or Disneyphiles) with a few good appropriately cynical anecdotes.
Sep 15, 2011
Sheather
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I found this book disappointing. It was really too short to be a book, too long to be an essay, and it also couldn't decide between being nonfiction reporting and a personal essay in style. I like Carl Hiassen and I'm interested in his work as a journalist, most of which I haven't read, but I had hoped this book would deliver much more in the way of inside dish on the evils of the Disney empire. I did learn some about how the company bought politicians and weaseled out of responsibility for its
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Apr 09, 2009
Mary Lou
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enjoyed this thoroughly since I used to work at Disney World. Nobody satirizes better than Hiaasen
Jun 10, 2009
Bronwen
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Great rant with slightly far-fetched arguements. Very fun to read if you know Dismey
