Walt Disney

The Triumph of the American Imagination

By: Neal Gabler

Narrated by: Arthur Morey

Length: 33 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

ONE OF THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER'S 100 GREATEST FILM BOOKS OF ALL TIME • The definitive portrait of one of the most important cultural figures in American history: Walt Disney.

Walt Disney was a true visionary whose desire for escape, iron determination, and obsessive perfectionism transformed animation from a novelty to an art form, first with Mickey Mouse and then with his feature films–most notably Snow White, Fantasia, and Bambi. In his superb biography, Neal Gabler shows us how, over the course of two decades, Disney revolutionized the entertainment industry. In a way that was unprecedented and later widely imitated, he built a synergistic empire that combined film, television, theme parks, music, book publishing, and merchandise. Walt Disney is a revelation of both the work and the man–of both the remarkable accomplishment and the hidden life.

Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Biography and USA Today Biography of the Year

©2006 Neal Gabler (P)2006 Books on Tape

Critic reviews

2007, L.A. Times Book Prize (Biography), Short-listed

"Thorough...[and] engrossing." (Publishers Weekly)

"A balanced treatment of the man and his achievements, realistically assessing Disney's considerable impact and offering insight into the hidden, restless soul who constantly challenged himself." (Booklist)

"We've all been waiting for the perfect book on Walt Disney; it has finally arrived and Neal Gabler's done it. Wonderful!" (Ray Bradbury)

Walt Disney

A very in depth biography, of the beginning of animation to the passion he had for Disney World. Enjoyed the last quarter of the book, more so than the rest.

History Buff - Born: 1959

I felt like a fly on the wall as Walt and his artists created the likes of Mickey Mouse, and the first full length animated movie, "Snow White." He evolved w/the medium, pioneering in Television and continually reinventing his special vision of entertainment. My father took us to Disneyland at least once a year when he was a reporter for the L.A. Hearld Examiner. We were there and saw Walt at the opening of "It's a Small World." And I watched the Wonderful World of Disney every Sunday night. The extensive insight from this bio gives me a whole new appreciation for Walt Disney. It's been too long. I'm going to Disneyland! PS The first hour or three is a bit tedious because it traces the Disney Family back to Europe and also elaborates on Walt's childhood influences and why he gravitated to the field of animation, movies and entertainment. If you stick with it, just like Walt did, you won't be sorry!

Unbelievably good

I was totally amazed at how influential Walt Disney was in our society. Of course, I realized his brand name but the scope of his influence was overwhelming. I couldn't stop reading this book as the reader took us through his accomplishments. The background of the sadness of his childhood creates an amazing contrast to his unbelievable prescience about what the future of entertainment will be. I was truly sorry when this book was done.

The Rise and Fall and Rise and Fall and Rise and Fall and Rise of Walt Disney

I have been looking forward to reading this book for years but never got around to it. This is a very detailed biography of Walt Disney. To a point where it is almost too detailed. The stories of his upbringing and early years were fascinating. And the early years of Mickey Mouse were hard to stop listening to. Each of his movie’s productions could’ve each been made into a book. However when it gets to the Strike of 1941 and Disney vs. the Communists it starts to get long winded until Disneyland finally comes around. Overall it is a good listen. I will be listening to it again in the future.

Thank you

As one of my first audiobook tours, I found this book that I should have read along time ago to be very well written and very well performed by the audio crew. Again, I thank you for allowing me to read this book while I work and invest in the life of Walt Disney.

Great story but toooooo detailed :-(

The Walt’ story is incredible. But the book takes too much minutes (hours) on irrelevant details. Would be much better to go straight to the point or skip these facts.

What we want to know, besides his personal story, of course, is how he managed to build this so loved company called Disney.

Do not recommend this audio / book because it is so focused on details.

Wonderful accounts of this major legacy.

Either new or experienced in the genre of biographies this one is a must read!

Life Lessons as well as a Biography

Where does Walt Disney rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is the best audiobook I have listened to, it is an extremely well written book and narrated very well. I retain information better if I hear it and with all the information in this book I remember it a lot more than when I read the book a few years ago.

What did you like best about this story?

It is full of life lessons of perseverance, triumph, success, and inspiration. It is a must read for any Disney fan as well as a must read for anyone considering starting their own business. Walt Disney's life was full of trials and success and is an inspiration for anyone.

Remarkable

This is a long listen but worth every minute. You realize that Disney was the precursor of Steve Jobs but perhaps even more visionary.

Fantastic Book

This Audio Book gives great incite on the life of Walt Disney. I was surprised to find out that Walt Disney was innovative on many things outside of film and animation. This book also shows that when you get the right people around you, you can make things you imagine come true.

This book also exposes some of Walt Disney's flaws as well. It does a great job of breaking apart the mythological status of Disney. Readers will see a man with who like all of us has fears and weaknesses. This is a fantastic book.