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rpmasse's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most complete, detailed, fascinating and full biographies I have ever read. Walt Disney was the epitome of an American. Though flawed, he had dreams and goals that he aspired to, worked hard and achieved. He is and was so much more than a mouse.
knottygeek's review against another edition
5.0
Neal Gabler has produced a very well researched and written biography of one of the world's most iconic people. Following Walt E. Disney's humble beginnings from a young boy delivering newspapers to the media mogul with the ever expanding empire, the book covers so much of the inspirations and reasoning behind why Disney created what he did and how he always wanted to be the best and ahead of the rest of the world.
bryce_is_a_librarian's review against another edition
4.0
A great but flawed look at a great but flawed man. Probably the first book about Disney to be free of revisionism either positive or negative. Instead a clear eyed honest look at a man who changed the course of the 20th century.
That said, while I love books about Filmmaking, the first couple decades of the 20th century, and animation, this book was a little much even for me. The length can be generously described as "horse choking" or "punishing" and once the wind goes out of Disney's sails after the infamous forties strike, the book loses a great deal of it's energy as well. As a result the last third is something of a slog. And despite the efforts of the author to pump it up the question of "Can the head of a giant corporation create a theme park?" is a great deal less interesting then "How is this young kid with and a debt ridden studio going to change the nature of filmmaking?"
Still an enlightening and enjoyable read.
That said, while I love books about Filmmaking, the first couple decades of the 20th century, and animation, this book was a little much even for me. The length can be generously described as "horse choking" or "punishing" and once the wind goes out of Disney's sails after the infamous forties strike, the book loses a great deal of it's energy as well. As a result the last third is something of a slog. And despite the efforts of the author to pump it up the question of "Can the head of a giant corporation create a theme park?" is a great deal less interesting then "How is this young kid with and a debt ridden studio going to change the nature of filmmaking?"
Still an enlightening and enjoyable read.
megwithtong's review against another edition
4.0
It was really in-depth and really fascinating. But it was also really long.
nymfan86's review against another edition
4.0
Neal Gabler's "Walt Disney" presents a detailed, informative and well-written biography of one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. Disney transformed the entertainment industry by consistently pushing the boundaries, from adding sound and color to cartoons to creating immersive theme park environments. Gabler had the support of the Disney family but does not shy away from criticizing Walt. The bulk of the book concentrates on Walt's early years and the development of the Disney company, though the most interesting part is his development of Disneyland. The book ends with Walt's death. I would have liked to have seen an epilogue explaining how the company survived without him as it was feared that it would die with him. Overall, a very good biography. At over 600 pages, the book is very dense but not boring.
alex_hev's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Slow to start but once you get to the part where they start making Snow White and the other animated movies, it starts moving pretty fast. Probably helps that was the part I was most interested in. Very long book.
reginaxgore's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0