This thin volume offers a rather speedy reading experience. It commences with a lively outburst of well-crafted vitriol, a veritable concoction of ten-dollar words that seem to promise a revealing portrait of Disney, one that will lay bare the company's avaricious and cynical soul.

However, the remainder of the book disappoints in fully delivering on this promise. Or perhaps it over-delivers, but with misdirecting filler instead of truly convincing content. Hiassen's contempt for Disney is palpable on every page and in nearly every paragraph. Yet, a significant portion of the criticism he hurls misses its intended target, The Mouse, and instead smears other entities. That is to say, most of these tales and anecdotes disclose the unseemly avarice of the opportunists who trail in Disney's wake, the shallow aesthetic cravings of the average tourist, and the bitter cynicism of Mr. Hiassen himself, while only lightly marring Disney's own image.

I am by no means a defender of Disney - much of their conduct has been worthy of condemnation. But many of the stories recounted here - such as those related to Dalmatians and black rhinos - create the impression that Disney was implicated in something disgraceful when, in reality, as Hiassen himself admits, they are almost entirely blameless. So why mention them? My suspicion is that it is to pad out a medium-sized article into a rather thin book.

Interesting read

This article offers a captivating and engaging exploration of various topics. It presents a wealth of information in an accessible and entertaining manner. The content is not only thought-provoking but also manages to keep the reader's attention from start to finish.

Each section of the article delves into different aspects, providing unique perspectives and insights. Whether it's discussing current events, sharing interesting facts, or presenting innovative ideas, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The writing style is clear and concise, making it easy for readers to understand and follow along. The author's use of vivid language and examples helps to bring the topics to life and make them more relatable.

Overall, this is an interesting read that is sure to leave you with new knowledge and a desire to learn more. It's a great way to spend some time and expand your horizons.

The book was okay. It had its own merits and drawbacks. However, what really caught my attention and made me enjoy it even more was the cheese picture that was placed right below each chapter name.

These cheese pictures added a unique charm to the book. They were not only visually appealing but also added a touch of playfulness and lightheartedness to the reading experience.

Every time I turned the page and saw a new chapter name, I would immediately look down to see the corresponding cheese picture. It was like a little surprise waiting for me.

The cheese pictures seemed to enhance the overall atmosphere of the book and made it more engaging. They made me feel as if I was not just reading a regular book but was also embarking on a fun adventure with the cheese pictures as my companions.

In conclusion, although the book itself was fine, it was the cheese pictures that truly made it stand out and gave it an extra special charm that I will always remember.

Fairly interesting!

I randomly picked this book from a shelf for our reading challenge. Honestly, it wasn't bad. There wasn't a very complex story. Instead, it had individual chapters about aspects of Disney that were loosely connected. I felt that I got a sense of what Disney was like at that time, but that was 25 years ago. It would be great to have an updated version that talked about all the things that have happened since then. Disney has changed a lot in the past 25 years, with new movies, theme park attractions, and business strategies. An updated version of this book could provide a fascinating look at how the company has evolved and what the future might hold. It would be interesting to see how the author would approach the topic and what new insights they could offer. Overall, while this book was a good read, an updated version would be even better.

The Walt Disney Company is, without a doubt, the behemoth of the entertainment world.

It encompasses a vast range of sectors, from film, music, and television to its renowned parks, luxurious resorts, and exciting cruiselines, and has extended its influence into numerous other industries.

It has truly come a long way since the days of its founder, who passed away prematurely in 1966.

While it is not immune to criticism and may even deserve it in some aspects, Carl Hiaasen's "Team Rodent" seems more like a 75-page tirade against Disney.

The only justifications he offers are that they are large and successful, and that they had the audacity to expand their theme park empire into his home state of Florida.

This is like someone hating the popular jock in high school just because he always wins, or the smart kid because she always gets the right answer.

In short, Hiaasen comes across as almost irrational, to the point where one might think he should be on a terrorist watch list.

The book was published in 1998, and looking back, it's easy to see how misdirected much of the author's venom was.

Michael Eisner, for example, has long since left the company.

And while his management style may have been debatable, there's no denying the company's growth during his tenure.

Hiaasen takes issue with the Disney Cruise Line, which was in its infancy at the time but is now a leader in the industry.

He spends a significant amount of time discussing the pre-Disney history of Castaway Cay, as if that was somehow Disney's fault.

He even seems to find fault with the fact that Disney has helped clean up the porn palaces and other seedy establishments in New York's Times Square.

This is not the work of a rational writer.

This is someone with a personal vendetta.

Save your money and look for a more objective and unbiased review of the company's history.

First, this book was published in 1998 and cost $8.95 for 83 pages. That is truly insane (the price, not the story)!

I read this book because I wanted to know about the Reedy Creek Improvement District in Florida, which is referred to as "The Vatican with Mouse Ears". Disney owned this district, and they had the authority to build an international airport or a nuclear plant. They were also empowered to have their own criminal justice system (at the time of the book, they had not done so). The book really does capture just how much power Disney has throughout the world and in the state of Florida. They even own ABC. They helped clean up New York Times Square, which was once home to porn, prostitution, and peep shows until Disney opened a store there.

I did not want to read anything currently political about the Reedy Creek District. I was just curious about how it came to be, and Hiaasen, as a newspaper reporter, wrote this book.

I had enjoyed Hiaasen's book Bad Monkey, so I thought the book about Team Rodent (otherwise known as Disney) would be a good read, and it was. It provided interesting insights into the power and influence of Disney.

After carefully reading some of the reviews of Carl Hiaasen’s “Team Rodent” here on Goodreads, I feel compelled to state that some individuals really need to learn how to appreciate a joke.

It’s important to note that Hiaasen wasn’t joking in the slightest when he penned this book. No, it’s abundantly clear that he meant every single word.

My issue lies with those who seemingly don’t understand precisely what Hiaasen was attempting to do, which is the same thing he does in all of his books. Namely, he’s being a smart-ass, with an emphasis on the “smart.” And, quite frankly, if you haven’t grasped Hiaasen’s style by now, you might as well just give up reading his books entirely.

“Team Rodent” is Hiaasen’s caustic yet humorous, tongue-in-cheek condemnation of the Walt Disney Corporation.

Take note that it’s the corporation itself that he’s targeting here, not the Imagineers, the park employees, or the people who create those wonderful movies that we (at least those of us with kids) have had to watch countless times.

Also, keep in mind that this book was written in 1998. A great deal has changed within the Disney Corp. since then, most significantly the transition from Michael Eisner to Bob Iger as CEO. (Iger recently passed the baton to Bob Chapek.)

Indeed, Hiaasen dedicates a significant portion of the book to lambasting and brutally dissecting Eisner. And for anyone familiar with Disney as a business, this scathing dissection is more than welcome and appreciated, considering Eisner nearly brought Disney to its knees.

The fact that Eisner made some serious blunders and poor decisions in his later years as CEO is old news. He’s the one who nearly sabotaged the relationship between Disney and Pixar. He’s the one who poured billions into an American history-themed amusement park that went nowhere. He’s also the one responsible for the abysmal film “Man of the House.” (Okay, to be fair, I highly doubt he had any creative input or otherwise in the movie, but it happened on his watch, so he deserves the blame.)

But even given how outdated this book may seem, it still provides a fair assessment of a super-powerful mega corporation that is hell-bent on world domination. Disney is an Empire, plain and simple. And Corporate Empires should be mocked, criticized, and closely monitored at all times.

Even ones that are responsible for amazing films like “Frozen 2” and TV shows like “The Mandalorian.”

So, don’t be so blindly loyal and pro-Disney that you fail to see what Hiaasen is brilliantly trying to achieve in this book. Relax, for goodness sake. Or watch “The Mandalorian.” Seriously, Baby Yoda is just too cute and will make you forget all your troubles.

I have an intense love for Carl Hiassen's column in the Miami Herald.

This is precisely the area where he truly shines.

His fiction is highly entertaining and perfect for a beach read, offering a great escape.

However, when it comes to exposing corrupt politicians, no one can surpass him.

He does it in a way that only a long-time resident of South Florida could.

With his unique perspective and writing style, he is able to bring to light the misdeeds and wrongdoings of those in power.

His columns are not only informative but also engaging, making it impossible for readers to look away.

Carl Hiassen is a master at what he does, and his work in the Miami Herald is a testament to his talent and dedication.

This book is truly incredible, and it has forever altered my perspective on the Disney machine.

Some might scoff at a class in the Sociology of Disney and dismiss it as an easy course, but I have gleaned a wealth of knowledge about this and other American corporations that present themselves as "friendly brands."

Although it is a very short book, I wholeheartedly recommend that everyone who is influenced by the Disney marketing agenda should read it and gain an understanding of the lives that unfold behind the scenes.

Moreover, the amazing writing in this book only adds to its allure. It provides a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of the Disney phenomenon, shedding light on aspects that are often overlooked.

By reading this book, one can gain a deeper appreciation for the complexity and impact of Disney and other similar corporations in American society.

It serves as a reminder that there is often more than meets the eye when it comes to the seemingly innocent and friendly facades presented by these brands.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the true nature of the Disney machine and its far-reaching implications.

I went to Disney once when I was 5 years old, accompanied by my grandparents and cousins. Oh boy, I was the worst kid to bring along. I was absolutely terrified of all the rides. All I wanted to do was buy pins and nothing else. I just wasn't as "into it" as the rest of my family, who were huge Disney fans. Well, that's how it was back then.

Now, I have a 3-year-old daughter and the topic of whether and when we will take her to Disney has come up a couple of times. It's still up in the air. We're not a household that's completely obsessed with Disney, but we do enjoy movies like Cars and Monster's Inc., and we also have a lot of Mickey Mouse hand-me-down clothing. I mean, what's the deal with that?

Anyways, in my pursuit to read all of Hiaasen's books, I picked up this one. Even though it was written a while ago, it was still really interesting to hear his views on Disney as a resident of Florida. Disney is an enormous, enormous company that just keeps expanding. It's truly fascinating. I really like Hiaasen's writing style, and this essay was yet another enjoyable and quick read by him.

I'm quite certain that one day I'll be introducing my daughter to his wonderful work.

Let me begin by stating that I am not an extremely passionate or dedicated fan of Disney.

I do, however, fully understand that any organization which has expanded to the colossal size that Disney has achieved is bound to have certain secrets.

In this book, the author delves into some of these aspects. For instance, the town that Disney has a sort of quasi-ownership over, the various land deals they have been involved in, and also the ways in which they manipulate the press to their own benefit.

I found the book quite interesting and enjoyable. Nevertheless, I must emphasize that this is not a book that will necessarily appeal to die hard Disney fans. They may have a different perspective or might be more inclined towards a more positive and glorified portrayal of the Disney empire.

Overall, it offers an interesting and somewhat eye-opening look into the inner workings and less-known aspects of Disney.

Interesting essays offer a detailed look at some unknown and not-so-admirable facts about the Disney Company.

The chapters, including Ready to Drop, Insane Clown Michael, Bull Run, Republic of Walt, The Puppy King, Fantasy Fantasy Island, Future World, Whistle While You Work, and Jungle Book, discuss the company's incredible influence in the local Florida area.

With all the mega development, excessive power, and scandal cover-ups, the essays paint a complex picture.

Although the author does refer to primary source material like the Orlando Sentinel on occasion, there is no Table of Contents, Index, or foot or end notes.

This lack of traditional academic apparatus may make it a bit more challenging for readers to fully explore and verify the claims.

However, the essays still manage to provide an engaging and thought-provoking look at the often-hidden side of the Disney Company.

Whether you're a Disney enthusiast or simply interested in corporate power and influence, these essays are worth a read.

They offer a unique perspective that may change the way you think about one of the world's most beloved entertainment companies.