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pixie_d's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the parts about the art (the artistry and the technological advances).
Let's face it, if you like Disney or animation at all, you are going to like this book.
The historical sexism was kind of hard to take, as were some of the disjointed, transition-less jumps between topics. Plus the book was very big and heavy; some folks might literally have a hard time picking it up. But probably worth the effort.
Let's face it, if you like Disney or animation at all, you are going to like this book.
The historical sexism was kind of hard to take, as were some of the disjointed, transition-less jumps between topics. Plus the book was very big and heavy; some folks might literally have a hard time picking it up. But probably worth the effort.
mkoretz's review against another edition
just too massive to finish lol and i don't really care that much about animation although i am sure this is a very cool book!
ginabelle's review against another edition
4.0
I cannot even the imagine the amount of work that went into making this piece. My few and far between complaints were really about organization and consistency, but gosh what a read! It was a feat in length and in attempting to hurdle the technical jargon in particular, but the stories told and obstacles surmounted by these women surpass any hiccups in style or writing that I could see. It’s a commitment read for sure, but if you have time or read a bit here and there, it’s definitely worth it! It was also refreshing to read the words of an author who clearly respects the work, the women, and the company. I truly believe Walt Disney was a pioneer for women’s rights in his company and did the best he knew how at the time with the upmost respect for these women and their talents. It was nice to see that reflected in this work. Thanks for all the information!! Hopefully one day, I will meet (and is it too presumptuous to say join?!?!) the team responsible for preserving the masterful works of art these women helped to create.
mrshellman's review against another edition
3.0
A beautiful and interesting book but it was literally too big to read comfortably. I had to sit at a table.
archaicgambit's review
informative
medium-paced
4.0
I love that we have this book in the world now! I learned a lot from it. I have to wonder if it was a little overly sympathetic to Disney himself considering things I've read in other published work about his company. Still loved this, the pacing was very enjoyable, and I loved the amount of visual information there was as well.
elisabethshelby's review against another edition
5.0
First off, be warned, this is a coffee table book in size and weight. Don't think you'll be able to easily tote it on mass transit like I did. People will look, and your back will hate you.
Putting that minor gripe aside, though, this book is fantastic from cover to cover. It dives into the history of females who began and ran large parts of the WDS animation team, from the 1920s up to just about modern day. The size of the book is necessary, as there were and are a lot of women who helped make this company what it is today. The details and little stories will suck you in, and I found myself wishing I could meet some of these creative souls.
I feel the book is fairly well balanced between the good and the bad - there is praise for WD being innovative with his hiring of women for positions often claimed by men, but criticism when women were met with glass ceilings in their careers. If you pick this book up thinking it's going to be a love fest for everything Walt did, you will be disappointed. However, for all of his shortcomings as a human, this book does illuminate how much WDS needed women from the very beginning to survive and thrive.
I recommend this book to any Disney lover, feminist, mid-century Americana history nerd, or a combination of any of those. The details is ridiculous, but you'll be glad the time was invested to tell the story - the ENTIRE story - of a much overlooked part of Disney's past.
Putting that minor gripe aside, though, this book is fantastic from cover to cover. It dives into the history of females who began and ran large parts of the WDS animation team, from the 1920s up to just about modern day. The size of the book is necessary, as there were and are a lot of women who helped make this company what it is today. The details and little stories will suck you in, and I found myself wishing I could meet some of these creative souls.
I feel the book is fairly well balanced between the good and the bad - there is praise for WD being innovative with his hiring of women for positions often claimed by men, but criticism when women were met with glass ceilings in their careers. If you pick this book up thinking it's going to be a love fest for everything Walt did, you will be disappointed. However, for all of his shortcomings as a human, this book does illuminate how much WDS needed women from the very beginning to survive and thrive.
I recommend this book to any Disney lover, feminist, mid-century Americana history nerd, or a combination of any of those. The details is ridiculous, but you'll be glad the time was invested to tell the story - the ENTIRE story - of a much overlooked part of Disney's past.
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