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Team Rodent: How Disney Devours the World

carl hiaasen

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"Disney is so good at being good that it manifests an 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 isn't in the business of exploiting Nature so much as striving to improve upon it, constantly fine-tuning God's work."
--from TEAM RODENT

TEAM RODENT
How Disney Devours America

"Revulsion is good. Revulsion is healthy. Each of us has limits, unarticulated boundaries of taste and tolerance, and sometimes we forget where they are. Peep Land is here to remind us; a fixed compass point by which we can govern our private behavior. Because being grossed out is essential to the human experience; without a perceived depravity, we'd have nothing against which to gauge the advance or decline of culture; our art, our music, our cinema, our books. Without sleaze, the yardstick shrinks at both ends. Team Rodent doesn't believe in sleaze, however, nor in old-fashioned revulsion. Square in the middle is where it wants us all to be, dependable consumers with predictable attitudes. The message, never stated but avuncularly implied, is that America's values ought to reflect those of the Walt Disney Company, and not the other way around."

96 pages, Paperback

First published May 5,1998

This edition

Format
96 pages, Paperback
Published
May 5, 1998 by Ballantine Books
ISBN
9780345422804
ASIN
0345422805
Language
English

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About the author

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carl hiaasen

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Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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tonynonihi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is a super-quick read.

Recently, I took a trip to Orlando, and the prevalence of Disney there disgusted me. I felt like I really needed to read this.

Hiassen's writing style is truly fabulous. His words seem to dance on the page, captivating the reader from the very beginning.

I am definitely going to check out more of his work.

The book, however, is a little outdated. It was written some time ago, and some of the references and situations may not be as relevant today.

Still, I was totally hoping for more Disney dirt. I wanted to know the behind-the-scenes secrets and scandals of the world's most famous theme park.

Despite not getting as much as I hoped, it was still a satisfying read. The story was engaging, and the characters were well-developed.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a quick, entertaining read.
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BVerfG
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I absolutely loved this book!

I read it when I first relocated to Jacksonville, Florida.

I have always been completely enraptured by the so-called "Disney Magic."

This short book, written by a genuine Florida journalist and novelist, offers an engaging and eye-opening expose to the dark side of Disney.

It delves into how they have established their truly incredible infrastructure and also reveals some rather disturbing details such as how they handle certain situations like the removal of bodies.

It makes you think twice about the seemingly perfect world that Disney portrays.

The author does a great job of presenting these aspects in a way that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

It's a must-read for anyone who has an interest in Disney or wants to know what lies beneath the surface of this entertainment giant.

Overall, it's a fascinating and thought-provoking book that I would highly recommend.

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cosmohero700
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A very short and highly entertaining screed from one of my favorite writers.

Even though I am someone who truly enjoys their movies and often dreams of taking a trip to Star Wars land while watching Disney+, I can still fully appreciate just how accurate and spot-on this rant really is!

It's quite remarkable how this piece manages to capture certain aspects that both Disney fans and those who may not be as fond of the company can relate to.

Whether you're a die-hard Disney enthusiast or someone who has a more critical view, this rant offers some interesting perspectives and insights.

I would highly recommend it for both Disney fans and haters alike. It's a thought-provoking and engaging read that is sure to spark some discussions and perhaps even make you look at Disney in a new light.

So, if you're looking for something short and entertaining that will make you think, give this screed a try. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it!
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eimon_
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Drew resembled a dark and fucked up version of the hamburger helper mascot. It was truly a strange and somewhat disturbing sight.

Just a brief glimpse into my dark reality was enough to give one a sense of unease. And if someone were to take a full, unwavering stare into my twisted perspective, it would likely drive most people simply go insane.

It's as if my mind is a warped and shadowy place, filled with thoughts and images that are both captivating and terrifying.

Drew, with his distorted appearance, seems to be a manifestation of the chaos and darkness that lurks within me.

Whether it's a product of my imagination or a reflection of something deeper, I can't quite say. But one thing is for sure, my world is far from ordinary, and those who dare to enter it might just find themselves in a place they never expected.

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SapereAude
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A collection of essays is dedicated to the reasons why Carl Hiaasen believes Disney is evil.

He essentially points out certain darker aspects in Disney's past. However, considering the brevity of this book, I would argue that Disney's goodness far surpasses any negative things it might have done.

Carl is clearly not a Disney enthusiast. He detests what they have done to Florida. Although they have made it one of the best destinations in the world, he still holds a grudge. He believes that Disney is attempting to erase reality, which is true to some extent, but only within the parks. This is precisely why so many people are drawn to them!

I didn't particularly like this book. I have no issue with reading about the darker side of Disney as long as it is not written maliciously. "Realityland" by David Koenig is an outstanding book about the reality of Disney that I truly enjoyed. I would highly recommend reading that book instead of this one! The saving grace of this book is its short length. So, if you are curious, it won't consume much of your time.

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StanLe
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I began reading “Bad Monkey” after thoroughly enjoying the Apple TV+ show. As I was reading, a thought crossed my mind: “I wonder if this guy has any thoughts on Disney.”

So, I decided to check it out from my local library. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed.

The book is hilarious, filled with smart-ass remarks, and also very informative. It's truly a master-class in rant and persuasive essay writing.

The “The Puppy King” essay, which is about Eisner and 101 Dalmatians, is a remarkable piece. It manages to fit so many ideas into one small essay that it seems almost impossible. However, it works beautifully.

It presents a unique perspective on the Disney empire and its inner workings, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the world of entertainment and business.

Overall, “Bad Monkey” is a great read that I would highly recommend to others.
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TiFFDerQueen
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Carl Hiaasen once said that his dream is to be banned from Disney... For LIFE.

Well, Carl, let's go for it! I'm more than willing to buy the tickets so that we can be banished from that so-called "hellish place" FOREVER!

Disney has often been the subject of much debate, and this excellent read really delves into the evils that some claim lurk within.

It's not just about the overcommercialization or the sometimes less-than-ideal treatment of employees. There are deeper issues at play that are worth exploring.

Perhaps Carl's desire to be banned is a bold statement, a way to draw attention to these concerns.

And who knows, maybe by taking such a stance, we can start a conversation that leads to positive change.

So, Carl, let's make this happen and see where this adventure takes us.

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min1211
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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We had an amazing family trip to Disney World.

It was truly a magical experience filled with joy, laughter, and countless wonderful memories. The sticky sweet world of Disney was like a dream come true for all of us.

However, after spending so much time in that overly cheerful and sometimes saccharine environment, I found myself longing for something completely different upon my return.

That's when I thought of Carl Hiaasen. His works are known for their dark humor, biting satire, and often scathing critiques of society. Reading his books is like cleansing my palate with some pure bile, in the best possible way.

Thanks to Carl Hiaasen, I can now escape from the sugary sweetness of Disney and dive into a world of his unique creation, where the absurdities of life are laid bare and made hilariously entertaining.

It's a perfect contrast to the Disney experience and just what I need to bring some balance back to my literary diet.
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