History of WDW

[davihaun]

What is the most accurate resource for the history of Walt Disney, the company, the parks, etc.

It seems like most books are either way Pro Disney saying it was/is all wonderful, or they are way anti-Disney and we all know what those say about the man and the company.

I just want the truth!

 

[deekaypee]

What is the most accurate resource for the history of Walt Disney, the company, the parks, etc.

It seems like most books are either way Pro Disney saying it was/is all wonderful, or they are way anti-Disney and we all know what those say about the man and the company.

I just want the truth!

There's an academic, cultural biography that I really like called The Magic Kingdom: Walt Disney and the American Way of Life, written by Steven Watts. I like it a lot.

For a look at the Disney's theme-park history, especially with an interest in architecture, I like Karal Ann Marling's edited collection Designing Disney's Theme Parks: The Architecture of Reassurance. Marling is an academic as well, in Art History and American Studies.

I tend to like academic books. They can be critical, of course, but I don't find the better one to be knee-jerk anti-Disney.

 

[vonpluto]

What is the most accurate resource for the history of Walt Disney, the company, the parks, etc.

It seems like most books are either way Pro Disney saying it was/is all wonderful, or they are way anti-Disney and we all know what those say about the man and the company.

I just want the truth!

If you're looking for one book to cover it all, fuhget about it!

You'll have to read quite a few, here's the most complete listing of Disney books I know of:

http://pizarro.net/didier/

A few recommendations:
On the Parks:
Since the World Began
Designing Disney
Building A Dream
Vinyl Leaves
Walt Disney Imagineering
A Brush With Disney
WDW EPCOT Center (coffee table version)
Disneyland the Inside Story

About Walt , the business side and Disney in general:
the above mentioned book by Watts
Walt Disney and the Quest for Community
Bob Thomas' bio's of Walt & Roy
Keys to the Kingdom
Work in Progress
Prince of the Magic Kingdom
Storming the Magic Kingdom
Disney Touch
Disney War
Disney's World
Hand Behind the Mouse
Disney That Never Was
All books by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston
All books by John Canemaker
Walt in Wonderland
Disney Studio Story

and on and on....

a lot of these titles have to be bought on EBAY and thru second hand stores



Edit: The about to be released bio of Walt by Neil Gabler is getting some great pre-release reviews. Might just be the most comprehensive bio yet.

 

[AdventureGuru]

ohh! I need ideas for Christmas...these are great!!! And I want this one and this one and...

 

[deekaypee]

If you're looking for one book to cover it all, fuhget about it!

You'll have to read quite a few, here's the most complete listing of Disney books I know of:

http://pizarro.net/didier/

This is a great list--I forgot about it. Be warned about the Ghez's blurbs, though. Ghez will "review" books based on their titles and/or whether they're academic works. He hasn't necessarily read books before he's dismissed them. IMO, he's got a pretty overt bias against any critiques of Disney. Plus, as an author, he's got a pretty vested interest in promoting books that are similar in genre/tone/goals/audience as him own (even though I don't claim that vested interest is in itself bias).

ITA that one book won't do it all--the list you offered included books that either praise or criticize Disney. I think reading the whole range gives you a better sense of the debates that surround Disney and a better picture of Disney's contributions to American (and global) culture. Not sure how many people have the time/energy to do so, however. It sounds like you do, though, and that's impressive. Hopefully davihaun will follow your lead!

 

[buckylarue]

For a look at the Disney's theme-park history, especially with an interest in architecture, I like Karal Ann Marling's edited collection Designing Disney's Theme Parks: The Architecture of Reassurance.

I love this book too! We saw the accompaning museum show when it was at the Walker Art Center here several years ago, and just had to have the book. The show was great BTW; lots of original models, architectural drawings, and photos showing how the various parks and their attractions evolved.

 

[vonpluto]

This is a great list--I forgot about it. Be warned about the Ghez's blurbs, though. Ghez will "review" books based on their titles and/or whether they're academic works. He hasn't necessarily read books before he's dismissed them. IMO, he's got a pretty overt bias against any critiques of Disney. Plus, as an author, he's got a pretty vested interest in promoting books that are similar in genre/tone/goals/audience as him own (even though I don't claim that vested interest is in itself bias).

ITA that one book won't do it all--the list you offered included books that either praise or criticize Disney. I think reading the whole range gives you a better sense of the debates that surround Disney and a better picture of Disney's contributions to American (and global) culture. Not sure how many people have the time/energy to do so, however. It sounds like you do, though, and that's impressive. Hopefully davihaun will follow your lead!

Thanks for the compliment.

I've got to give Ghez somewhat of a pass on his opinions, since I contributed some titles to the site way back when he started it.
I do get a kick out of the way he blows off the academic/white tower/intellectual works he lists:"probably another social commentary, the same old S"

The real value is the list, it's our job a readers to search out in depth reviews to find out what gives.

Oh, I just did a quick surf thru Ghez' site, and found a book to come that would really interest me. It will be about all those Disney attractions that never came to be. It comes out in 2006.
It's by Jim Hill.
2006, yeah right, maybe 3006!!