Walt Disney: An American Original (Disney Editions Deluxe)

Bob Thomas' "Walt Disney: An American Original" is an excellent look into the life of one of America's last truly great dreamers.The story starts with Disney's early years in Marceline, KS and follows his life chronologically through post-war France, Kansas City and on to places like New York and California. Along the way the reader experiences the birth of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, one of Walt's earliest popular creations and eventually the development of the character that put Walt Disney in the spotlight: Mickey Mouse.Thomas covers the ups and downs of creating cartoons and the growth of the Disney name as a family-friendly institution. He reveals the struggle of Disney and his brother, Roy, as they tried to remain independent of the major studios. He also shows how the Bank of America always managed to cast a dark, debt-filled shadow over the Disneys until later in both of their lives.We learn that films considered classics today such as "Alice in Wonderland" and "Peter Pan," started their legendary lives as flops as far as profits were concerned. We also get a look into the development of Disney as a force on television and in live-action films such as "Old Yeller".The primary message that I got from this book is simple: No matter how much the odds were stacked against him and his brother, Walt continued to pursue his dreams. Mountainous debt, failed films, crooked promoters, pressure from union organizers and many other problems failed to stop the Disneys from achieving their goals.The book culminates with the development and opening of Disneyland and the beginnings of what would become Walt Disney World. Disney World is the one dream that Walt never lived to see attained. However, we all know how well that particular venture has done since its opening in October of 1971.This book is enlightening, humorous and empowering. I highly recommend it to anyone who has ever been looked down upon for being a dreamer. Walt Disney's life is proof of how far dreamers can really go, and Bob Thomas has done a wonderful job of capturing Disney's dreams on the written page.

As a veteran reader of biographies, I feel qualified to judge Bob Thomas's book. It is accessible to all, and it is comprehensive. It is what I hoped it would be, written like a nonfictional novel of the person behind a very familiar name.Before reading Thomas, I tried Neal Gabler. I paid forty bucks for a like-new out-of-print hardcover. Its shiny dust cover was attractive, and it was impressively thick. It also got some good reviews. Unfortunately it was pedantic, supercilious, and annoyingly psychoanalytic. I thought about getting Michael Barrier's biography, but some reviewers say it is too technical. And I cannot believe that Barrier is better, now that I have read Thomas.Regarding Hyperion's newer 1994 edition, I hesitated to buy it. It is a trade paperback, and I was afraid its photos would be printed. I need not have worried. It has a portfolio of more than 40 photos, and they are all on glossy plates. I especially liked the one with ten-year-old Shirley Temple. Though he made no footnotes, Thomas lists his sources of research, including his own interviews with relatives, acquaintances, and subject. The index is helpful, with subtopics.In nonfiction, I look for entertainment as well as information. So for me Thomas has written The Biography on this man. I have read that the book is a hagiography (a biography of a saint), and that it overlooks the man's dark side. But I'm not interested in how the man folded his toilet paper. Indeed this particular man would be belittled if he was described as a mere saint. Because he was more than a saint. He was Walt Disney.

This is the best biography I’ve ever read. In fact it may be one of the best books I’ve ever read period. I for the life of me can’t understand why this story hasn’t been made into a movie yet. The life of Walt Disney is as animated, chaotic, beautiful, emotional, and funny as all the animated and live action films he’s ever made. If you’re a Disney fan, or even if you’re not, this book should be read. Absolutely fascinating.

Book was in good condition and arrived really quickly

Page turner written with heart & soul. Thomas tells all and truly appreciate Disney’s determination to fulfill his lifelong dream of a very simple objective: to make people happy! While he would say his mission was not complete; after reading this book, I can confirm he did. R. I. P. forever, Mr. Walter Elias Disney.

Bob Thomas did a great work! I couldn't stop reading because it was so interesting and written in such a great way!I always loved Walt Disney but since I red this book I love him even more.

Un ottimo libro per gli amanti del solo e unico Walter Elias Disney, questo grande genio del secolo scorso. La biografia è super dettagliata - anche fin troppo in alcuni punti in cui si dilunga su dati vari come costi e incassi dei primi lavori della casa di Topolino - con un sacco di informazioni e aneddoti sull'infanzia di Disney, sulla creazione dei primi personaggi e sulla fondazione della Walt Disney Company. Scritta da un autore che ha avuto l'onore di intervistare più volte Walt Disney negli anni e che ha avuto accesso, dopo la morte di Disney, ai suoi archivi personali. Lo consiglio sia a chi ha già conoscenze sul personaggio che a quelli che vogliono rifarsi una cultura su questo straordinario artista.

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