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jason_pym's review against another edition
2.0
A tale of the obnoxious dregs of upper management at Disney from the 1980s on, their annual bonuses and spats. This is before the Harvey Weinstein scandal, but he makes an appearance as a respected peer which tells you a lot about the kind of people they are. They are also given surprising creative credit, Jeffrey Katzenberg is said to have come up with the idea for Lion King for example, which does not gel with other accounts, to put it politely. Though it does have an account of him butchering The Black Cauldron, which matches what the creative side have described. It does seem amazing that in such an atmosphere anything creative can be produced at all, though this is an era that saw a series of great films.
In the end the endless politicking, backbiting, deals on golf courses and private jets, ridiculous salaries and bickering over money, and the fact that anything Disney - the cartoons, the theme park rides - are mentioned only in passing as an afterthought, left me increasingly nauseous. Although we're led to believe Walt himself was no prize of a human being, it does make me curious to go back and see how he started it all.
In the end the endless politicking, backbiting, deals on golf courses and private jets, ridiculous salaries and bickering over money, and the fact that anything Disney - the cartoons, the theme park rides - are mentioned only in passing as an afterthought, left me increasingly nauseous. Although we're led to believe Walt himself was no prize of a human being, it does make me curious to go back and see how he started it all.
duparker's review against another edition
4.0
A complex and a bit too long look at the rise and fall of Michael Eisner. I had no idea what this was really about when I picked it up other than Disney in a world after Walt. It was very detailed very well researched and a solid read if not too business like affair.
frozenpeas42's review against another edition
4.0
Good book, made me glad I never worked for a corporation.
ifyouhappentoremember's review against another edition
4.0
I can not be the only person who has fallen down the YouTube rabbit hole of Disney Video Essays. In the videos that focus on Michael Eisner era of Disney, this book is frequently cited as a source. I got curious enough, that I decided to read it for myself.
And what a source this book is! It’s absolutely insane that Stewart had insider access to Eisner’s downfall, I’m surprised that Disney didn’t revoke the access while all of this was occurring. This is truly an unsparing portrait of Michael Eisner. He comes off as a man obsessed with maintaining his own power and authority - and he’ll do anything to keep it. It’s very telling that he was unable to delegate responsibility to his other executives and pitted his executives against each other. He didn’t trust anyone because he assumed that they’d try to stab him in the back. Even if it means he has to lie, obfuscate the truth, or destroy longtime friendships and working relationships, I suppose to him, it was all worth it.
What unfolds in this book is pure drama (and it’s only heightened by the fact that at the end of the day, this is over a company who is best known for their theme parks and movies aimed at children). The interpersonal drama is very reminiscent of the television series Succession.
It’s almost 20 years since that fateful board meeting which resulted in Eisner announcing that he would step down as CEO of Disney. There is so much that has changed in the entertainment landscape since this book’s publication.
We now know that Bob Iger takes over as CEO as Disney and oversees an explosion of growth fueled by buying Intellectual Property such as Star Wars and Marvel. We are also aware of potential problems on the horizon due to disappointing box office grosses from their 2023 releases and the complex legal problems caused by the battle with Florida’s government Ron Desantis.
Yet, nothing really has changed. I’m sure the day-to-day drama still remains extremely dumb. Disney still puts their bottom line above quality or customer experience (I’m thinking of Genie + when I write this sentence).
I think we are overdue for another fly on the wall business book about Disney’s current executive leadership, but considering the blood bath Stewart was a witness to, I doubt it will happen.
And what a source this book is! It’s absolutely insane that Stewart had insider access to Eisner’s downfall, I’m surprised that Disney didn’t revoke the access while all of this was occurring. This is truly an unsparing portrait of Michael Eisner. He comes off as a man obsessed with maintaining his own power and authority - and he’ll do anything to keep it. It’s very telling that he was unable to delegate responsibility to his other executives and pitted his executives against each other. He didn’t trust anyone because he assumed that they’d try to stab him in the back. Even if it means he has to lie, obfuscate the truth, or destroy longtime friendships and working relationships, I suppose to him, it was all worth it.
What unfolds in this book is pure drama (and it’s only heightened by the fact that at the end of the day, this is over a company who is best known for their theme parks and movies aimed at children). The interpersonal drama is very reminiscent of the television series Succession.
It’s almost 20 years since that fateful board meeting which resulted in Eisner announcing that he would step down as CEO of Disney. There is so much that has changed in the entertainment landscape since this book’s publication.
We now know that Bob Iger takes over as CEO as Disney and oversees an explosion of growth fueled by buying Intellectual Property such as Star Wars and Marvel. We are also aware of potential problems on the horizon due to disappointing box office grosses from their 2023 releases and the complex legal problems caused by the battle with Florida’s government Ron Desantis.
Yet, nothing really has changed. I’m sure the day-to-day drama still remains extremely dumb. Disney still puts their bottom line above quality or customer experience (I’m thinking of Genie + when I write this sentence).
I think we are overdue for another fly on the wall business book about Disney’s current executive leadership, but considering the blood bath Stewart was a witness to, I doubt it will happen.
libras's review
informative
slow-paced
3.25
Oml I did it. I finished the disney book
So, this is a THOROUGHLY researched and, at least from my knowledge and feeling, (mostly) unbiased piece of corporate nonfiction. The audiobook reader did well with what he had, and the amount of information, conversations, documents, recordings etc the author had to go through must've been insane.
That said, it's just not for me. Some chapters were interesting, some were so dull and made me roll my eyes at these millionaires acting like entitled babies. This is not the fault of the book, I thought I was getting into something else. If you like petty corporate drama, great. If you want more insight into the artistic direction and decisions of actual Disney movies and animations, you'll get that here and there, but it won't be enough to satisfy. Personally I felt some of the animator's concerns and attitudes were unfairly brushed aside or seen as silly.
It's tough for me to really care about what a bunch of rich white dudes with hundreds of millions complaining about not getting another hundred million, and treating everyone like shit all the while.
I wanted to rate it lower but its not the book or author's fault that the genre and subject matter just isnt for me. I thought I was getting into something else.
So, this is a THOROUGHLY researched and, at least from my knowledge and feeling, (mostly) unbiased piece of corporate nonfiction. The audiobook reader did well with what he had, and the amount of information, conversations, documents, recordings etc the author had to go through must've been insane.
That said, it's just not for me. Some chapters were interesting, some were so dull and made me roll my eyes at these millionaires acting like entitled babies. This is not the fault of the book, I thought I was getting into something else. If you like petty corporate drama, great. If you want more insight into the artistic direction and decisions of actual Disney movies and animations, you'll get that here and there, but it won't be enough to satisfy. Personally I felt some of the animator's concerns and attitudes were unfairly brushed aside or seen as silly.
It's tough for me to really care about what a bunch of rich white dudes with hundreds of millions complaining about not getting another hundred million, and treating everyone like shit all the while.
I wanted to rate it lower but its not the book or author's fault that the genre and subject matter just isnt for me. I thought I was getting into something else.
j1mb0sl1ce's review
4.0
4.5.
Very interesting story that at first one might assume would be boring. Maybe it's because I had a prior knowledge of some of the events transcribed in the book? Maybe because I was familiar with a lot of the names thrown around so it was easier for me to keep track of everything? Who knows. I love Disney history and this is a great, extensive recounting of one of their highest points which would then turn back into one of their lowest. Great tale if you can stomach the board meeting and stock market talks.
Very interesting story that at first one might assume would be boring. Maybe it's because I had a prior knowledge of some of the events transcribed in the book? Maybe because I was familiar with a lot of the names thrown around so it was easier for me to keep track of everything? Who knows. I love Disney history and this is a great, extensive recounting of one of their highest points which would then turn back into one of their lowest. Great tale if you can stomach the board meeting and stock market talks.