Walt Disney was a pioneer whose film creations - Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, Bambi and Pinocchio to name but a few - charmed the world. But Disney himself was a domineering man who never shared screen credits with his fellow creators, despite their contributions: his closest friend and ace animator Ub Iwekrs, was forever the butt of his malicious teasing; his employe Walt Disney was a pioneer whose film creations - Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, Bambi and Pinocchio to name but a few - charmed the world. But Disney himself was a domineering man who never shared screen credits with his fellow creators, despite their contributions: his closest friend and ace animator Ub Iwekrs, was forever the butt of his malicious teasing; his employees were appallingly paid, often suffered his wrath and were subject to instant dismissal; he was hostile to unions and he held curious views about Jews,k blacks and women. But in his work Disney was a perfectionist and a visionary, who always fought for the highest standards and often risked bankruptcy to ensure excellence. In this fascinating and revealing biography, Leonard Mosley portrays Walt Disney as a complex and lonely man who was finally driven to drink to blot out his pain, but whose films survive as a monument to his genius.
The Real Walt Disney: A Biography
Walt Disney was a pioneer whose film creations - Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, Bambi and Pinocchio to name but a few - charmed the world. But Disney himself was a domineering man who never shared screen credits with his fellow creators, despite their contributions: his closest friend and ace animator Ub Iwekrs, was forever the butt of his malicious teasing; his employe Walt Disney was a pioneer whose film creations - Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, Bambi and Pinocchio to name but a few - charmed the world. But Disney himself was a domineering man who never shared screen credits with his fellow creators, despite their contributions: his closest friend and ace animator Ub Iwekrs, was forever the butt of his malicious teasing; his employees were appallingly paid, often suffered his wrath and were subject to instant dismissal; he was hostile to unions and he held curious views about Jews,k blacks and women. But in his work Disney was a perfectionist and a visionary, who always fought for the highest standards and often risked bankruptcy to ensure excellence. In this fascinating and revealing biography, Leonard Mosley portrays Walt Disney as a complex and lonely man who was finally driven to drink to blot out his pain, but whose films survive as a monument to his genius.
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Jud –
I have always loved Disney movies and the theme parks but I have never known much about the man himself. This book was a fascinating insight to the life of Walt from his birth and upbringing to his untimely death, including the initial take over of his brother Roy after Walt's passing. For me, it is a real shame that we will never hear from the man first hand his reasons for his choices and his opinions or even his regrets. The biography reads as though it is well researched and sticks to facts, I have always loved Disney movies and the theme parks but I have never known much about the man himself. This book was a fascinating insight to the life of Walt from his birth and upbringing to his untimely death, including the initial take over of his brother Roy after Walt's passing. For me, it is a real shame that we will never hear from the man first hand his reasons for his choices and his opinions or even his regrets. The biography reads as though it is well researched and sticks to facts, the only time the author begins speculation is near the end, over the 'is he buried or under cryogenesis?' debate. I did not get the impression that Walt was a horrible man from this book as people have told me he was, although I can certainly appreciate that, at times, he would not have been enjoyable to work for or with. But perhaps, if he had been kinder to his employees or more complimentary about their work Disney cartoons may have slipped into a lower standard and would not have the standing that it does today.
Philip Carman –
a fascinating insight into Mr Mickey Mouse himself.
Tim Kulinski –
A very interesting read, since this was written in the 70's, the company could not control what was written. I believe this is a very good representation of the real Walt Disney. When I worked at Disneyland, I got to talk to some old cast members that worked there when Walt was alive, many of their stories matched up some of the things in the book. I highly recommend this book if you are a Disney fan. A very interesting read, since this was written in the 70's, the company could not control what was written. I believe this is a very good representation of the real Walt Disney. When I worked at Disneyland, I got to talk to some old cast members that worked there when Walt was alive, many of their stories matched up some of the things in the book. I highly recommend this book if you are a Disney fan.
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Mariëlle –
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Walt Gifford –
Geeky Spice –
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Michael Bishop –
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Bruna –
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CL Bishop –
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Anne –
Stefano –
Maciek Żabiński –
Brian Millar –
Rasa –
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Anna –
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Lisette Rodriguez –