I typically have a penchant for reading books in their traditional printed form. However, for this particular one, I opted to listen to it in the audio format, and I cannot recommend the audiobook highly enough. I'm certain that if I had been reading the crass humor on the page, I would have let out a few giggles. But actually hearing it brought me to stitches, laughing uncontrollably.
In addition to being filled with a plethora of raunchy one-liners that had me chuckling, this book also offered a rather surprising peek into Disney's less-than-pristine underbelly. It was quite eye-opening.
Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to thoroughly enjoy watching "Beauty and the Beast" and other Disney classics. But now, when it comes to buying Disney merchandise, I might just have to think twice. This book has definitely given me a new perspective on the Disney empire.
It is an interesting time to revisit this book about the House of the Mouse that was written over 25 years ago. Even after all these years, the corporate culture of the company remains very singular and recognizable. The author has done a great job of researching the subject matter and has presented it in a way that is both humorous and snarky. The book provides a fascinating look into the inner workings of one of the most successful and influential companies in the world. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in business, marketing, or popular culture. Whether you are a die-hard Disney fan or simply curious about the secrets of Disney's success, this book is sure to entertain and inform.
As a Disney enthusiast, I have delved into numerous critical and scholarly works on the subject. This is because I am well aware that the company is not without flaws, and I am eager to explore different perspectives. Hiaasen's writing is indeed highly entertaining, and his extensive vocabulary adds to the charm. However, some of his evidence seems only peripherally related to the company. For instance, he spends a great deal of time discussing the early death of a rare black rhino at Disney's Animal Kingdom, insinuating cruelty on the part of the zookeepers. But the long and short of it is that multiple tests revealed that the cause of the fatality occurred outside of Florida. If Hiaasen had concentrated solely on the direct connections, which he does touch upon, I would have found his overall stance more believable.
A truly hilarious and yet, in a strange way, seemingly truthful account of the history of Disney parks and the rather remarkable takeover of Florida land for the purposes of commercialization under the Disney brand. This book, which was published way back in 1998, offers a unique perspective on the evolution of these iconic entertainment destinations. Given the passage of time and the numerous events that have undoubtedly occurred since then, I am almost certain that there has been an abundance of material to justify the creation of another book or perhaps even two in addition to this original one. It would be fascinating to see how the story has continued to unfold and how Disney has continued to shape not only the world of entertainment but also the very landscape of Florida and beyond.