Books about DL-

[DnA2010]

Hi there,

Was just thinking about the old Christmas coming and my hubby would love a good book or two on Disneyland/Disney history- can anyone suggest any good ones

 

[rowan1813]

If you are looking for a book on Disney history there is no better one that I can recommend other than Walt Disney: An American Original by Bob Thomas. It is a fantastic biography of Mr. Disney, his struggles starting out in Kansas, his move to California, his successes and failures, and his family. It is an absolutely beautiful book. The best part (IMHO) is that it was authorized by the Disney family so there are the family stories and history that you can only get from people like Diane and Ron and their children and from Roy's family. There are also some fantastic photographs in the books as well. I found it at DCA in the Off the Page store but I know you can get it on Amazon as well.
If your husband is also a fan of the Disney trains, you might consider getting him Walt Disney's Railroad Story by Michael Broggie. My DF is a HUGE train and Disney fan so this seemed like a logical birthday gift and he LOVES it. Mr. Disney was a huge train fan and had his own train and tracks at the house on Carolwood Dr. and this book has some wonderful pictures and interviews of the men who also shared Mr. Disney's love of trains like Ollie Johnston and Ward Kimball (who had a Disneyland locomotive named after him). I also found this book on Amazon and managed to buy a sign copy from the author who is the son of one of the first Imagineers and helped Mr. Disney start his train collection at the Carolwood house.

Hope this helps.

 

[rowan1813]

Oh and I almost forgot to mention, if you are looking for books specifically about Disneyland, you can't go wrong with the multiple editions of Disneyland: Then, Now, and Forever by Tim O'Day and Bruce Gordon. We have a couple of editions that we bought at Disneyland but I know you can get them on Amazon as well. I mention both editions because they each have separate information and material on different rides and lands so its almost like you need to get both if you want as complete a history of Disneyland as possible. For example, the first edition from 2005 has information and pictures of Captain Hook's pirate ship and Skull Rock dining area that was in Fantasyland that was gone far before I was born and nobody in my family remembers it being there. Unfortunately it is not in the 2008 edition though there are things in there that are not in the 2005 edition.

 

[Club33forme]

I agree with the above books, all great. If you want to concentrate on Disneyland. Disneyland Inside Story by Randy Bright. This is an old book and will cost you a few dollars on ebay but worth every pennie. fifty dollars is a deal but expect seventy-five to be realistic. Also Disneyland 45 years of magic. If you are looking for quick Disney facts you can trust at correct. Dave Smith's Official Disney A to Z Encyclopedia is a must.

 

[MrsPinup]

I really enjoyed both of the Behind the Ear's books. They have a great mix of humor and history.