Jim Fanning

Some fun snippets of information, but the selection of topics is haphazard (the enormously innovative "Fantasia", for instance, is never even mentioned and the studio-rescuing "Cinderella" is given half a page, while "Bambi" gets four full pages), and even the topics that do get several pages devoted to it spends most of the space on pictures, never going much in depth in the textual content. The timeline in the beginning of the book is fun, but also a bit confusing -- some Pixar and Muppet show more movies are included on the timeline decades before Disney is noted as acquiring the properties, while Marvel films only start appearing on the timeline seven years _after_ Disney is noted to have bought the company. Add to this an obvious typo in a huge font quotation on one of the last pages of the book, and the quite beautiful hardcover ends up a rather lackluster, thrown-together-feeling little thing. I suspect reading the full "The Disney Book" from which it gets its content would be a much more satisfying option. But that said, there are many fun or pretty pictures, and they do provide the occasional fun or interesting factoid making the reading feel mostly worth the (short) time it took. show less

Prominently featuring images from the vaults of the Walt Disney Company, this vibrant and beautifully designed volume takes readers through the history of the corporation. Divided into three sections that focus on animation, live-action TV shows and movies, and the theme parks, the book presents the highlights, accentuating the positive: Mickey Mouse, the innovations that Disney made in animation, his pioneering forays into television, and more. The visuals are the stars here—film stills, show more black-and-white photos of artists at work, memorabilia—and those with an eye to animation will appreciate getting a look at early sketches of now-famous characters, as well as reproduced storyboards and maquettes. Behind-the-scenes information about beloved films and a peek at early technology such as the multiplane camera (used for filming animation) add to the appeal. This is a relentlessly upbeat look at the company that occasionally sacrifices precision in favor of a glossy presentation. At times, the text has the tone of marketing copy, and though the chronology mentions all of the films, those that weren't critical or commercial successes are skipped over. Similarly, the more unsavory moments (racially problematic scenes, Walt Disney's often authoritarian and controlling attitude, the company's World War II propaganda films) are omitted. Still, it's a visual treat that will easily attract readers. VERDICT While those seeking a balanced and in-depth look at Disney may wish to look elsewhere, browsers will enjoy this lighthearted and attractive addition. show less