What is your "must have" Disney book?

[TheTXTaylors5]

Does anyone recommend a good Disney history book or a book you feel every Disney-fan should read???? I read Disney War last year. It wasn't really a history of Disney, but more of the Michael Eisner years and his demise with the Company.

What is your "must have" Disney book? (excluding travel guides)

Jennifer

 

[mikelan6]

I've always recommended "Building a Company: Roy O. Disney and the Xcreation of an Entertainment Empire" by Bob Thomas.

 

[BilltM]

I enjoyed "Disney's World" by Leonard Mosley from a history perspective. This is one that is probably closer to a history of Walt and the Disney company while Walt was alive.

Also, "Spinning Disney's World" by Charles Ridgeway. Charles was a press agent for Disney.

A couple others but not a complete history but more focused on specific periods or events. "Storming the Magic Kingdom" by John Taylor focused more on the attempted leverage buyout, by corporate raiders, of the Disney company and what took place to keep the company intact.

The other was "The Disney Touch" by Ron Grover and dealt with the Eisner/Wells/Katzenberg years.

 

[soupy11]

Spinning Disney's World is great as is Designing Disney....

 

[PinkBudgie]

I'm currently reading Designing Disney and I love it so far. Spinning is on my list to read soon. My favorite all time Disney book is the Disneyland Encyclopedia.

 

[Merry Mousketeer]

Currently, I'm reading the Neal Gabler biography of Walt Disney.

It depends upon what facet of Disney you're interested in. I've read all the aforementioned books.

If you're interested in animation, there's "Disney Animation - The Illusion of Life" by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnston.

If you're interested in the theme parks, besides "Designing Disney", there's the books by Jason Surrell and the various Imagineering Field Guides and "Walt Disney Imagineering" by The Imagineers.

There are many biographies on Walt Disney. The company's official biography is "Walt Disney - An American Original" by Bob Thomas. For a persepective of Walt from those who worked closely with him, there's "Workiing with Walt" by Don Peri.

If you're interested in the creative people Walt gathered around him, there's "Walt Disney's Imagineering Legends" by Jeff Kurtti.

I hope this helps you start building your Disney library.

 

[TeriofTerror]

I very much enjoyed "Realityland" by David Koenig.

 

[FireDancer]

By far DisneyWar but that is probably because I like to know the business behind the magic as much as the magic itself.

 

[phred84044]

I enjoyed Disney War. I still can't believe how arrogant and out of touch Eisner was with the Disney customer. Can you believe that he turned down Mark Burnett on Survivor?

The last Disney book I read (listened to) was "Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination" by Neal Gabler. I guess Walt wasn't the perfect father/businessman/brother/etc. that I always envisioned him to be.

 

[kim532]

It is sad, for as much as I love Disney movies and theme parks, I haven't read any books about Disney. I may try a couple of these out.

Thanks TheTXTaylors5 (Jennifer) for asking this question.

Kim

 

[k5jm]

This is one of my favorites. I may have to order the one signed by Marty Sklar.

 

[BriarRosie]

I can't pick just one!

I love my outdated versions of Disney A to Z by Dave Smith, and the REALLY outdated Encyclopedia of Animated Characters. It was from the mid 1990's.

I also love my David Koenig book collection.

But if I have to pick one book, I'd probably say The Nickel Tour, a history of postcards at Disneyland, written by two Imagineers that I had a chance to meet in 1996 on a special Disney Store cast member trip.

 

[Merry Mousketeer]

The last Disney book I read (listened to) was "Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination" by Neal Gabler. I guess Walt wasn't the perfect father/businessman/brother/etc. that I always envisioned him to be.

I'm reading that book right now. I'm at the point where he is trying to distribute the first Silly Symphony. I do remember that when this book came out several years ago it was very controversial, but I don't remember why.

Walt was always very upfront about Roy being the businessman and he being the creative force behind their success. He was also very honest about there being two Walt Disney's. The private one who enjoyed smoking, a good drink and colorful language; and the public persona created by the company. When he became known by the public, he worked fairly hard to preserve the public image created by the studio when he was in front of the camera and meeting the public.

 

[PinkBudgie]

This is one of my favorites. I may have to order the one signed by Marty Sklar.

I just looked this up on Amazon and I see there is a new version coming in May.

 

[gkrykewy]

I very much enjoyed "Realityland" by David Koenig.

Seconded. This was great.

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Spinning Disney's World is great as is Designing Disney....

DH read this thread. He's a DISer too. A brown box from Amazon arrived today. DH bought me these two books. Thank you honey!!!!! I joked that I need to start a thread on "How would diamond earrings look on me?"

It's nice to have a "Disney Husband". He gets "it".

I am bringing both books on our upcoming ABD CA trip. Perfect timing. I needed something to read on the plane besides US and People.

Jennifer

 

[momof2cutegirls]

Lucky girl above...having the Disney hubby who "gets it." Still working on mine!

Looking for a neat coffee table book with more pictures than words...any suggestions?

 

[717fan]

I highly recommend "Married to the Mouse: Walt Disney World and Orlando". It was published in 2001 and explores the political, economic, and planning relationship between WDW and the City of Orlando. It is one of my favorite books of all time.

Bill

 

[tolemommy]

Jotting down lots of titles & authors for to add to my Christmas list. Thanks Bunches!

 

[TheTXTaylors5]

Update: Charles Ridgway, the author of Spinning Disney's World will be a guest speaker on the Podcast Cruise 2.0!!!!!!!

Jennifer