- Hardcover: 550 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins Canada / Westview S/Dis (May 27 1992)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0813314739
- ISBN-13: 978-0813314730
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.2 x 2.5 cm
- Shipping Weight: 626 g
- Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Publishers Weekly
Calling Walt Disney World "the most ideologically important piece of land in the United States," anthropologist Fjellman, a respectful cynic, offers a wide-ranging, often jargon-laden analysis of "this quintessence of the American Way." Intrepid readers unwilling to take Disney World at face value may find much that is rewarding here. Fjellman argues that Disney provides a utopian antidote to everyday life, which is fragmented and confused in "late capitalist society." After academic excursions concerning culture and consumerism, Fjellman analyzes Disney's distorted approach to history ("time is defined spatially," as in Tomorrowland), the corporate ideology infusing EPCOT Center and the machinations of Disney's Orlando land grab. He tracks the daily details: the transportation system as social control, the psychology of refuse disposal and the five keys to Disney's system of managing people on line. The 10 national pavilions of World Showcase, Fjellman writes, offer the message that other countries "are essentially theme parks." He concludes that Disney World is "postmodern"--a place where the distinction between real and fake is no longer important.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Book Description
With the ingenious use of technology, Walt Disney World puts visitors into cinematically-structured stories in which pieces of American and world culture become ideological tokens. In this examination of America's commodity fairyland, the author analyzes each ride and theatre show of Walt Disney World and discusses the history, political economy, technical infrastructure and urban planning of the area, as well as its relationship with Metropolitan Orlando and the state of Florida.
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
A Mickey Mouse Book About Walt Disney World,
By Ted (Hartford, CT) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Vinyl Leaves: Walt Disney World and America (Hardcover)
I'm surprised to read that the "scholarly" Fjellman doesn't perpetuate the old chestnut about Walt being cryogenically frozen. As it is, he has his readers believing this ridiculous story about Walt making a series of films to be shown after his death to guide the company after he's gone. This is a respected author? My God, where are his sources? Hopefully if he comes out with a second edition, he'll correct such glaring errors as these.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still THE scholarly standard...,
By Dennis Kois (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Vinyl Leaves: Walt Disney World and America (Paperback)
I keep hoping that Fjellman will update his seminal book to encompass all that has happened in the last ten years; I'll be the first in line when he does. I wrote my MA thesis at NYU on Disney using Fjellman as a prime source, and have used various chapters from Fjellman's book to teach graduate classes in museum studies, design, and architecture. Students in many fields find a lot to think about, discuss, debate, and apply to their thinking.Witty, engaging, balanced, factually accurate, yet still with a point of view... a great book all around. Other reviewers who complain about the writing level, or some of the more obscure academic theorizing, are missing the point. For a truly academic piece of literature, it is written in incredibly accessible, engaging, and clear style. Highly recommended.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
3.7 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews) 22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Seminal Book on Walt Disney World,
By "disneychick" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Vinyl Leaves: Walt Disney World and America (Paperback)
With this incredibly detailed analysis of Walt Disney World, Stephen Fjellman has created one of the seminal books for Disney Studies. Fjellman draws connections between Walt Disney World and the "real" world in order to try and investigate their relationship. What is often forgotten about the book is perhaps its most important quality: it is subtitled "Walt Disney World and America." This is the heart of the book. Fjellman's book is as much about America as it is about Disney. He uses Walt Disney World to ask questions, and maybe even offer some answers, about a broad range of issues in American culture: urbanism, capitalism, history, technology, communication, visual culture, and so forth. Underlying his book is the assertion that to explore Walt Disney World is to explore America. And this exploration is why the study of Disney is so essential. The book accomplishes what so many academic books fail to do--it speaks to many audiences, for many different reasons, to many different purposes. Those interested in learning just about Walt Disney World will not be disappointed, for the book is filled with details and technical information about the park. Those already familiar with the park will appreciate the contributions to their knowledge. Those not wanting to "spoil" the experience of exploring the park themselves need not fear, for the book captures a moment in the park's history and opens up (rather than answers) questions. Scholars interested in both Disney and American culture should find this book of value, both in its attention to detail and its serious consideration of Disney as a site of critical enquiry. Throughout, the strength of Fjellman's work is in his enthusiastic approach to his subject, which encourages and almost forces readers to become as invested in the subject as Fjellman himself. Although this hefty book can be a bit dense at times, particularly because it draws from theoretical perspectives and considers historical, political, and cultural influences, the book never loses its appeal--partly because it is grounded in the "Magic Kingdom." If one is going to read just one academic book about Walt Disney World, this is the one. Witty and thought-provoking, critical and inquisitive, it sets the standard for works in the field of Disney Studies. 14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Ultimate Book on Walt Disney World,
By Professor Wilbur Hamilton "The Wilbur" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Vinyl Leaves: Walt Disney World and America (Paperback)
At times, "Vinyl Leaves" can be as magical as the theme park that it seeks to decontruct. Throughout the text, Stephen Fjellman's tone shifts often from witty to sentimental to cynical--but at all times, it remains an intellectual commentary on a place many people would never even think to look at in such "mature" ways. This is a cultural, political, and economical history of Walt Disney World from the earliest plans through the publication time of this book (1992). Despite this hefty doctoral thesis subject matter, the text rarely drags and can sometimes be downright magical. Written in 1992, "Vinyl Leaves" is also a unique period piece, capturing a highly detailed snapshot of the Walt Disney World of the late 1980s/early 1990s. As frequent visitors know, WDW is ever-changing and certain ride removals or renovations can rob a die-hard Disney fan of a piece of their past. With such rides as "Horizons" which was closed in Epcot Center in the mid-1990s, Fjellman delivers a three-to-four page description of the ride, literally second-by-second, thus preserving a classic Disney attraction that will never see the light of day again. Putting aside all of his wonderful theories and commentaries, the sheer value of these deliciously vivid ride and show descriptions is worth the price alone. If you love Walt Disney World, do yourself a favor and buy this book and read every single word. It is honestly the closest book I've ever read that captures the essence of a real trip there.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Fjellman's analysis covers all angles.,
By Andrew T. Smaha (asmaha@emerald.tufts.edu) - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Vinyl Leaves: Walt Disney World and America (Paperback)
As a student of politics and media and an avid Disney fan, I was thoroughly impressed with Prof. Fjellman's ability to balance criticle analysis with a general love of Disney's products. For those of us who enjoy learning about the dangers of Disney's corporate machinery yet still love walking down Main Street, this book will not dissappoint. With an obvious passion and love for Disney, Fjellman dissects WDW operations with the language of someone who knows something is bad for him, yet doesn't seem to mind. For many of us, this sentiment is reality. Like Fjellman, many understand that Disney can be manipulative, overbearing, and self-promoting. However, people don't seem to care. It is an amazing phenomenon and Fjellman does a wonderful job explaining why it exists.
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