There is a very good book here. Unfortunately, this isn’t that book.

On the plus side, there is a lot of detailed information on what it was like to work on Epcot before the opening. It particularly focuses on the electrical engineering aspects, and most particularly on the American Adventure attraction. There are some very fun stories that give a good feel for the hectic approach that resulted from trying to get everything done at once for the big opening.

On the negative side, there really is nothing but the stories. Two examples show this at it worst. First example: there is a chapter title “Club 33” that is nothing more than a two-page reminiscence of getting to go into Club 33. Second example: towards the end of the book the authors just resort (in two chapters) to providing exact quotes from a tape another imagineer kept to record what was occurring.

This is part of a bigger story. And somewhere in here is a great narrative. But none of that is evident, and that lack makes this book barely worth the time. If all you want are a few fun stories, then this fits the bill. But a book should do much more. ( )