tough_cookie 's review for:

Walt Disney: An American Original by Bob Thomas

4.0

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A fascinating look at Walt Disney's childhood and subsequent development of the Disney company in all its manifestations. I found this book to be well-researched and insightful; the reader gets to see how Walt grew up and how he went from a simple cartoonist to the creator of one of the greatest and longest lasting pieces of American culture. I will say, though, that the focus of this biography shifted from Walt's personal life to his work life as he and his brother Roy's company took off. But I personally did not mind that as I found it inspiring to read about how Disney started from the bottom, struggled to stay relevant, and finally became the success that it is today. I also enjoyed how concerned Walt seemed to be about pleasing the masses. He stayed young and heart and used that to determine how best to go forward with his ideas. Truly, he was a character, and this biography by Bob Thomas lays it out for the reader in simple terms.