The triumph of the american imagination by neal gabler. Books about walt disney either paint him as a saint or an evil tyrant, and i guess he could be both depending on the perspective. Nov 21, 2006 the definitive portrait of one of the most important cultural figures in american history. Gabler is careful to point out where the legends were embellished, and that walt disney became more of a brand than a man, but i thought he portrayed him fairly and honestly. And neal gabler is the first author to have had complete access to. Many of these books were released alongside early disney films while others were released as comic books.
Through his art, walt disney sought to achieve the power, control, and perfection that eluded him during a childhood marked by constant toil and brief rural idylls that left a permanent mark on his psyche. Walt disney was, according to neal gablers biography, a workaholic bully obsessed with ensuring that the disney thing lived on for ever. My dislike for gabler s biography is shared by a very important member of the disney family. Ive read several books on walt, and imo, the best, most accurate and trustworthy book by far is the one by bob thomas entitled walt disney. Neal gabler is the first author to have had complete access to theisney archives. Apr 01, 2011 having read a few books about the life of walt disney,i can say that walt disney. Gossip, power and the culture of celebrity, life the. Walt disney is one of the few men who unquestionably changed ourulture. The triumph of the american imagination is a standout. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Jack kinney 1909 1992 was hired by walt disney in 1931, the early days of the depression, to work at the walt disney studio on hyperion avenue in east hollywood. Dec 03, 2006 walt disney pictures must be the most enduring entertainment brand ever created. Walt disney biography walt disney 1901 1966 was a film producer, media magnate and cofounder of the walt disney company. Oct 30, 2006 neal gabler, inside walt disney for his new book, walt disney.
Walt disney is one of the few men who unquestionably changed our culture. The triumph of the american imagination, for its many factual inaccuracies and for its misrepresentation of walt disney himself. The unofficial guide to the evolution of walt disney s dream is the story of how walt disney s greatest creation was conceived, nurtured, and how it grew into a source of joy and inspiration for generations of visitors. Ive often criticized neal gabler s book, walt disney. His classic films illuminated everyone s childhood. The triumph of the american imagination, and, most recently, barbra streisand. Walt disney, the triumph of the american imagination by neal. If you are thinking of collecting books by disney, then you may have some questions. A chainsmoking, workaholic bundle of nervous energy, disney kept dreaming bigger and. In addition to the towering achievements, gabler shows the dark side of walt disney ruthless towards longserving staff, cavalier with contracts, neglectful of his family but also the vulnerability, born of epub loneliness and ill health, in an admirably balanced portrait.
As a big walt disney fan ive read several biographies and books related to him and roy but this. Walt disney company books list of books by author walt. As a film producer has won 22 oscars from 59 nominations. So ive been reading neal gablers biography of walt disney, which also purports to be a study of disneys impact on american culture. Excellentdisney was a giant of a genius, apart from everything else. 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 filmsmost notably snow white, fantasia, and bambi. The definitive portrait of one of the most important cultural figures in american history.
He was an iconic figure in the twentieth century media and entertainment industry, helping to produce many films. See all books authored by walt disney company, including disneys storybook collection disney storybook collections, and descendants 2. But gabler s unimpeachable citations occur alongside citations not just from marc eliot but also from leonard mosleys disney s world, diane disney millers story of walt disney, leslie iwerkss the hand behind the mouse, and other sources whose accuracy is open to serious doubt. Over 600 secrets of the magic kingdom, epcot, disneys hollywood studios, and animal kingdom paperback by susan veness goodreads author.
He graduated summa cum laude from the university of michigan and holds advanced degrees in both film and american culture. Gabler charts disney s journey from running a fledgling studio with short cartoons featuring mickey mouse and donald duck, to the reinvention of animation with fulllength films like snow white, pinocchio, bambi and dumbo. Apr 06, 2017 walter elias walt disney was an american entrepreneur, animator, voice actor and film producer. Neal gabler born 1950 is an american journalist, historian and film critic.
The triumph of american imagination, entertainment expert neal gabler was given complete access to the disney archives. It isnt a book that can be read quickly as it is well over 600 pages but it is always interesting and extremely well researched. Gablers vision of disney and of disenys vision of america is far more complex and shaded than most other authors, and far more objective and reliable. In addition to the towering achievements, gabler shows the dark side of walt disney ruthless towards longserving staff, cavalier with contracts, neglectful of his family but also the vulnerability, born of loneliness and ill health, in an admirably balanced portrait. In late 1967 and 1968 hubler interviewed many disney employees and members of disneys family, some of whom were never interviewed otherwise. Gabler explores accusations that disney was a redbaiter, an antisemite, an embittered alcoholic. Oct 31, 2006 neal gabler is the author of five books. Born with platonic templates in his head, in gablers memorable formulation, disney idealized rural life, his template being the little missouri town in which his father perpetually failed. Best book on walt disney wdwmagic unofficial walt disney. Having read a few books about the life of walt disney,i can say that walt disney. In his superb biography, neal gabler shows us how, over the course of two decades, disney revolutionized the entertainment industry. Gossip, power and the culture of celebrity, life the movie. Look at the studios peers, all forged, like disney, in the 1910s or 20s.
The biography by neal gabler is the most detailed and thorough study of the great man i have read. Neal gabler born 1950 is an american journalist, historian and film critic gabler graduated from lane tech high school in chicago, illinois, class of 1967, and was inducted into the national honor society. Despite his successors battles with the whims of history and their own doubts and egos, walt s vision maintained momentum, thrived, and taught future. Neal gablers new biography asserts that this animator not only created a new art form, but also changed the world. By all means, avoid the recent book by neal gabler.
Seven years in the making and meticulously researched gabler is the first writer to be given complete access to the disney archivesthis is the full story of a man whose work left an ineradicable brand on our culture but whose life has largely. Nov 30, 2006 gabler, the first writer to have access to the disney archives, draws a complex portrait of the genial host of nbcs the wonderful world of color. But whatever the characterizations of disneys personal life, he appealed to the nation by demonstrating the power of wish fulfillment and the triumph of the american imagination. Gabler is an author, journalist and former film critic whose previous books include a biography of barbra streisand and a behindthescenes look at hollywood. The triumph of the american imagination neal gabler. It completely fails at part two, which is hardly surprising. But whatever the characterizations of disney s personal life, he appealed to the nation by demonstrating the power of wish fulfillment and the triumph of the american imagination. Walt enshrined that place as an american idyll and ideal in disneyland, which the author rightly ranks high among the masters dreamsturnedto. Oct 09, 2007 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 filmsmost notably snow white, fantasia, and bambi. From neal gabler, the definitive portrait of one of the most important figures in twentiethcentury american entertainment and cultural history. Neal gablers meticulously researched biography, walt disney offers the full story gabler is the first writer to gain complete access to the disney archives of. Apr 07, 2007 walt disney was, according to neal gabler s biography, a workaholic bully obsessed with ensuring that the disney thing lived on for ever gaby wood sat 7 apr 2007 19. A way to recollect disney memories or build new ones is by collecting disney books. And neal gabler is the first author to have had complete access to the disney archives, enabling him to write the definitive biography of this remarkable man.
The prince and the pauper little golden book by fran manushkin, mark twain, walt disney pictures and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. His beginning career includes his work on several shorts, including santas workshop 1932, the band concert 1935, and moose hunters 1937. American culture and perhaps the preeminent interpreter of the nations fantasy life there comes neal gablers new biography, walt disney, which. Neal gabler, inside walt disney fresh air october 30, 2006 for his new book, walt disney. The triumph of american imagination, entertainment expert neal gabler was given complete access to. Jun 01, 2011 having read a few books about the life of walt disney,i can say that walt disney. Redefining beauty, femininity and power for the yale jewish lives series.
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