Walt Disney: The Biography

This is a thick book but gets into many aspects of the subject's life. It doesn't gloss over the tough times and gives you a look as to what Walt was like as an employer, a person, a friend. Great read!

Based on recommendation i order and enjoy

One of the two who went to the archives and did research not just assuming who he was.

Excellent..Disney was a giant of a genius, apart from everything else. This book tells all about how Walt Disney was a genius.

Just a fantastic book. Balanced and insightful. Also just full of interesting details! Very well documented, even back to Walt's childhood.

Book was damaged on delivery

Ok

Several biographies of Walt Disney exist, so you may be forgiven for feeling a little overwhelmed by the choice. Whilst I don't claim to have read them all, I can say without doubt that this - Neal Gabler's - work is the best that I've laid hands on. Don't be put off by the size as I almost was (700+ pages of tiny text) - eventually you won't want to put it down. Gabler should be commended for the sheer breadth of information researched, written in such a way that it almost never becomes boring or irrelevant. At times, you can almost place yourself in the particular events and feel yourself as a fly on the wall, witnessing the various time periods. The book unreservedly takes a very objective and neutral stance towards Disney as an individual, avoiding the trap of shock value (as other critics have imposed) or dwelling in any mismatch of perception that went against his 'uncle' image. Gabler simply tells it as it was, through multiple works, sources and the comments of those around Disney - and then lets the reader make their own judgement. The quality of the research is so thorough that, throughout much of the book, the events which take place are described in diary-like fashion, even going down to the hour in some cases. In many chapters, the tension becomes riveting and you can't help but want to know more. Ultimately, you will gain a greater appreciation for not just the hardships of people during the turn of the century, but the sacrifices that Disney himself made in his pursuit for success. Gabler makes a lot of effort to build a picture of Walt through the very time periods and products that he invested in, the book is as much a treat for general 'Disney' fans as it is for those interested in the man behind it all. I own countless books on animation and the Disney parks, yet there were still a lot of information present that I didn't know - and it's absolutely fascinating; though admittedly, I believe some of this will be best appreciated by enthusiasts. Surprises? I would like to say that the meddling and shenanigans of film studios throughout the Twenties and Thirties was a shock, but then I realised we probably haven't moved on that much... By the end, a number of repeated themes seem to round-off this complex character. Disney craved social company, attention, joy and perfection in his work. His tough upbringing and youth had a direct influence on his work ethics, and his wanting to create circles of smaller families, relationships, was largely affected by the infinitely more positive relationships he held with women when he was young. His naivety and 'simple' view of some aspects of life also cost him many, many times in the business world. To sum up, this is must-read for any Walt Disney enthusiast.

Bastant completa sobre Walt Disney

Eine exzellent geschriebene, ausgewogene, gut recherchierte und äußerst detailreich Biographie von Walt Disney. Der Mensch, der Macher, der Boss. Seine Erfolge, seine Niederlagen. Die Entstehung der Filme, des Parks, aber auch private Einblicke insbesondere in sein Verhältnis zu Bruder Roy. Exzellent, kurzweilig, interessant und umfangreich.

El Texto es muy bueno. Una biografía notable. Lástima que la edición sea en papel barato y con las ilustraciones y fotos en rancio blanco y negro. El mismo texto en papel de calidad y con ilustraciones en color haría que este libro fuese una obra imprescindible para todos los aficionados al mundo de Disney.