Charles Ridgway (1923–2016)

No doubt there is a fortune to be made out there (in fact, there is one being made) based on the Disney Geeks who will buy anything. Feeding toward that desire is a library-full of books that cater to those individuals who want to know every little thing about the parks and about Walt. Some of these are great books. Some absolutely stink. But in the middle is a whole plethora of books that, while not great literature, have some stuff that is worth reading, if you are the kind who cares. At the very top of this list might be Roller Coasters, Flumes, and Flying Coasters by Robert Reynolds which tells the stories around the development of the rides in Disneyland and the company that did it. Stories you haven’t heard, which probably appeal more to the Disney-phile than anyone else – but well enough told that others might care. On the bottom of this list (meaning it isn’t so bad it doesn’t make the list, but it ain’t that good at all) might be the novel (I can’t find the name handy – which means I haven’t got this listed in LibraryThing yet – call the guards, one escaped) based on Walt being unthawed and turning the Disney company around. Three parts wish fulfillment, 5 parts excuse to write about Disneyland, and lots of parts really mediocre writing; it was fun, as a Disney fan to read (even though we couldn’t buy into all of it) and excruciating for anyone familiar with decent writing skills to stomach. (Speaking of good writing, what was….never mind)

So all that is to explain that this book belongs firmly in the middle of that middle group. It has some good stories. In fact, that is really all this is, a cobbled-together collection of stories from “one of those that was there”. In particular, the first few chapters seem somewhat obligatory. Yes, Ridgway was there on opening day, and actually worked with Walt in the 60’s, but there is no real immediacy about these stories, and many are rehashes. The book picks up steam (Disney fanatic steam) as he begins talking about his work at Disney World. The stories associated with the rest of his career seem more real, and there are definite gems in here – things you never heard anywhere else. But, all that being said, you have to really want to know about these kinds of little things before you should think about picking up this book. And, you know what? Kudos to Ridgway for his Epilogue. In it he explains why he didn’t focus (didn’t focus? Heck, completely avoided) the riff between Roy Disney and Eisner. That is not his story to tell, and they were both friends. It didn’t belong in the book, and his Epilogue does a great job of explaining it.

So, if you really like these small stories, and you’re not too concerned that the book you are reading has a real arch, then go for this one. However, I don’t know that most readers are going to be that interested.… (plus d'informations)