Jane+Scheppke


 * AUTHOR:** Cory Doctorow


 * TITLE:** //Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom//


 * PUBLICATION DATE:** 2003


 * NUMBER OF PAGES:** 208 pp.


 * GEOGRAPHICAL SETTING:** Walt Disney World, Florida, USA


 * TIME PERIOD:** Near-future; mid-late 22nd century


 * BRIEF SUMMARY:** In a future society where government and corporations have been replaced by "[|adhocracies]," hero Julius realizes his dream of living and working at Disney World with friend Dan and girlfriend Lil, stewards of Liberty Square. When Julius is assassinated (temporarily) by a rival adhocracy, he must fight a deadly battle for control over the Haunted Mansion and the destiny of the park he loves.


 * SUBJECT HEADINGS:** theme parks, speculative fiction, science fiction, adhocracy, alternative government, alternative economy, Imagineering


 * APPEAL:** quick read, soft science fiction, humor, minimal sex/profanity, optimistic tone


 * SIMILAR AUTHORS:** Neal Stephenson, William Gibson, Douglas Adams, Neil Gaiman, [|Matt Groening]


 * AUTHOR:** Kevin Baker


 * TITLE:** //Dreamland//


 * BRIEF SUMMARY:** In Kevin Baker's historical epic, characters representing a cross-section of 1910 New York cross paths at a spectacular and doomed Coney Island theme park. Baker paints a masterful picture of a city torn by crushing poverty and gang warfare. Although there are enough characters to warrant a guide at the front of the book, Baker gives each one a distinct identity and a compelling voice.