Reviews

To Pixar And Beyond by Lawrence Levy

sacrificebyfire's review against another edition

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4.0

I think this book is 3.5-3.75 stars.

Intriguing, hard worker who got in at a good time and helped make Pixar the powerhouse it is. Although, not hard to see some of it was just luck and connections, which I’m not sure author would dispute. I liked his wife’s perspectives on work issues and to see his negotiation skills put to work in an effort to save the place. Good lessons to be learned here.

bookish_mh's review against another edition

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3.0

3.8

jenwithab's review against another edition

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adventurous informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

alanacreech's review against another edition

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5.0

“Creative excellence is a dance on the precipice of failure, a battle against the allure of safety. There are no shortcuts, no formulas, no well-worn paths to victory. It tests you constantly.”

This book has been both a heartwarming tale, and an eye-opening read to a young professional in the entertainment industry. I couldn’t put it down from the moment I stared reading. Levy has a way with words that I’d bet most CFO’s would be envious of. It’s uplifting to hear first-hand from an executive in this industry who deeply cared about his employees, and fought for the future of a company he saw potential in. Like Brain Storm: Unleashing Your Creative Self by Don Hahn, this will be a book I return to when I need motivation in my personal and professional creative endeavors.

zohal99's review against another edition

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3.0

Interesting
Last chapters were jarring
Seemed a bit light on details of how Pixar actually achieved viable financial success outside of the fact they make amazing movies

lama94's review against another edition

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3.0

I was really enjoying this book, until I lost it somewhere in a park. 💔

lorenzana's review against another edition

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4.0

9/10. A fun ride through Pixar's history through the lens of finance, strategy, and friendship.

I was gonna give this an 8, but those last few chapters where Levy looks back at his journey, relates it to the Middle Way teaching, and reminisces about how improbable this journey was just made it all click.

I feel like I've taken the success of Pixar for granted. It's such a household name that it's hard to imagine a world where it didn't exist. This gave me a newfound love and respect for the brand, knowing that it was the outcome of a few strategic choices that helped it go big.

goolsby's review against another edition

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4.0

An interesting look at the history of Pixar, but a bit dense on the fiances at points. I'd be very interested to get more perspective from designers and animators during those early years

juleskelley's review against another edition

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5.0

LOVED this book.

eigendecomp's review against another edition

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5.0

Absolutely fantastic. One of the best business books ever and a page-turner to boot.

P.S.
What's with the chef, though?