Walt Disney

The Triumph of the American Imagination

By: Neal Gabler

Narrated by: Leonardo Leoncavallo

Seven years in the making and meticulously researched, here is the definitive portrait of one of the most important figures in American entertainment and cultural history.
From the young Walt Disney breaking free of a heartland childhood to the visionary whose desire for escape honed an innate sense of what people wanted to see on the screen, witness Disney reinvent animation, first with Mickey Mouse and then with his feature films, from a novelty based on movement to an art form that presented an illusion of life.
Gabler reveals a wounded, lonely and often disappointed man who at times retreated into pitiable seclusion in his model train workshop, yet still reshaped the entertainment industry by building a synergistic empire in a way that was unprecedented and later widely imitated.
This is a masterly biography, a revelation of both the work and the man–of both the remarkable accomplishments and the hidden life.©2006 Neal Gabler; (P)2006 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

I loved it from beginning to end.

the narrator was wonderful I really felt the emotional. at the end when Walt died, I got teary eyed as if I knew him. Thanks Mr Gables for a wonderful book and Mr Leoncavallo the narration was superb.

Very good

Really interesting. Well written. Well read. Disney lead an inspiring life, and this book gives a good sense of him as a person. Recommended.

Fascinating

Most readers grew up watching Disney on Sunday nights or many younger readers are surprised that Disneyland and Disneyworld were later accomplishments of this man's fascinating life. This is solid storytelling by Gabler.

Highly recommended

Very interesting and thorough. Great insight on an American genius. Clarified some misrepresentations of the man.

How Disney became an Icon

This is a very thorough and interesting story starting from Walt's youngest days. It describes in detail exactly how Walt created and built a brand that became the gold standard in family entertainment for generations of Americans.

I only wish the books scope had extended beyond Walt's life to chronicle the ups and downs of the company in the years since his death.

Great Biography and very informative

Maybe not the best written bio ever, but the subject matter and completeness and good reading make it a must-read-must -listen book in my opinion. I had many misconceptions about Walt, this made me understand the motion picture business much better and I have lived a long time so I have seen all the changes in movies, cartoons, but didn't know the reasons why until I listened to this well read book. If you have any love of Disney parks or movies, this will be an entertaining and informative listen.

Brilliantly Insightful!!

We often think that people or companies that currently rule the world in a certain field or genre was there from the beginning and it’s only by reading their bio you find that they had a dream and pressed forward with what they wanted with years and years of people trying to stop them and or doubting they’ll make it. Disney deserve all it has because of its founder Mr. Walt Disney!! A most read for any business and or creative.

Excellent, excellent,!

I could listen to this book over and over. For the hundreds of times I've been to Disneyland..... And all the facts I thought I already knew about Walt Disney ...... I learned so much. Talk about being awe of another human being. I found myself tearing up or randomly smiling throughout this whole book. The next time I walk through Disneyland I will definitely have a different perspective of everything that came before that wonderful place. I highly recommend reading this period

The Last Line

The line of this book made me tear up, it’s what Walt always wanted and he achieved it.

Walt Disney - Creative, perfectionist, tenacious

I enjoyed this book so much. An all encompassing tale of a life that improved our world. Flawed and imperfect, yet full of hope and vision, this man never gave up thank goodness. He had more creative ideas than money and more determination than discouragement. Fascinating read.