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Walt Disney (Abridged): The Triumph of the American Imagination Audiobook
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(4.00) - 1,412 listener ratings
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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.
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"As an aspiring Imagineer, I thought it would be wise to read this mammoth biography, which has been deemed the definitive biography of walt disney. The book did not disappoint, as the information that Gabler presented was detailed beyond my expectations. My biggest disappoint was that the book did not delve into the potential of Walt's final dream of EPCOT, and rather rushed through the last 5-10 years of his life with little recognition of his later dreams and ideas and how they could have done. Nonetheless, maybe I am demanding too much from a biography. All in all, an essential read for the Disney fan, and this book will make you understand how influential and inspiring a man Walt Disney was."
— Eli (4 out of 5 stars)
Walt Disney Listener Reviews
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" I really had no idea that Walt was responsible for so much! I have a newfound appreciation and respect for hi. and what he worked so hard to achieve. He truly was a visionary and while not always the greatest at communicating or decision making, wasn't afraid to take. risk! "
— Melinda Geasler, 1/21/2020 -
" Best bio of Walt I found, major source for a paper I wrote for history. The thing that impressed me most about Disney was his tendency to hark back to the past as well as his enthusiasm for the technology of the future. I totally share that mindset. "
— Bri, 2/17/2014 -
" I grew up watching Walt on TV, and years later lived down the street from Disneyland. So this was a natural. Walt was a very complicated character, very different in a lot of ways from the congenial "Uncle Walt" that we saw on TV. No bombshells, but an interesting psychological study. "
— Christine, 2/6/2014 -
" A balanced, well researched biography. Very interesting read; Gabler's unifying theme of innovation, power and control kept the book moving and connected what was otherwise a somewhat scattered career. As a huge fan of Disney's work (both Walt and the overall company), I felt W. E. Disney was neither villified nor exalted. Instead he was treated fairly, as a great, innovative man with flaws. Would recommend to any Disney-phile who's looking to get more of a sense not just of Disney the man, but the company as well. "
— Al, 1/12/2014 -
" A fascinating, thorough (650 pages of dense reading) biography of Walt Disney. Disney was a Big Idea person who compelled others to embrace his ideas with equal devotion and make the seemingly impossible happen. I had always envisioned him as a primary illustrator of Mickey (not so) and was interested to see his transformation from artist to pal/leader/icon/tyrant as his company grew. "
— Lotte, 1/4/2014 -
" A great, in-depth look at the man and his entire life. A whole lotta reading but well worth it. "
— Angela, 1/3/2014 -
" Superb biography, fair and comprehensive. Gabler does a nice job of explaining the man, his art and his business. "
— Peter, 12/18/2013 -
" Outstanding book- Mr. Gabler did some amazing research to put this book together. "
— Larry, 11/26/2013 -
" Amazing to read how driven he was. Not fun to work for or with. Reminds me if some people I have worked with "
— Hal, 11/8/2013 -
" It was really in-depth and really fascinating. But it was also really long. "
— Meghan, 10/18/2013 -
" Fantastic book about the life of an American legend. It will add volumes of insight into familiar childhood icons. "
— Baci, 9/11/2013 -
" I was most surprised about how shakey the studio's finances were until the opening of Disneyland in the mid-1950's. "
— Straker, 8/10/2013 -
" Not bad. Gabler goes pretty soft on Uncle Walt, but it's a reasonably good portrait of a man so complex that two or three additional volumes would be needed to do him justice. "
— Chris, 7/27/2013 -
" Really interesting, in-depth view of Disney's life. "
— Michelle, 7/13/2013 -
" A long, but good read. Many business lessons to learn from Walt's autobiography "
— Corvida, 3/21/2013 -
" Great book on the history of Walt Disney and the Walt Disney Companies. Sometimes seems to focus on details but it definitely is an in-depth look at his life. "
— Margo, 2/12/2013 -
" Too much detail. I can't think of too many people who would want to hear about a date Walt had with his neighbor's neice in 1938. "
— Matt, 2/12/2013 -
" The deepest biography of Disney I've ever read - and I've read a half-dozen of them. "
— Gary, 9/15/2012 -
" amazingly detailed and interesting.. best walt disney biography i've read "
— Ashley, 6/19/2012 -
" Slow start but a good read. Paints Walt Disney in a more realistic light, opposed to the usual "Uncle Walt" character he is is generally portrayed as. Very inspiring (at least for a creative). "
— Erica, 6/17/2011 -
" Best bio of Walt I found, major source for a paper I wrote for history. The thing that impressed me most about Disney was his tendency to hark back to the past as well as his enthusiasm for the technology of the future. I totally share that mindset. "
— Bri, 5/6/2011 -
" Really good book about the man and his life. It doesn't pull any punches and I devoured it's 600 pages in about a week. "
— Dorian, 5/5/2011 -
" One of the best complete bios of Walt. The good, the bad and the genius. It is a must read for all who want to try to understand this amazing man just a bit. "
— Deirdre, 4/17/2011 -
" True genius and visionary!!! Walt once said "If you can dream it, you can do it" "
— Hashim, 4/3/2011 -
" One of the best books I've read....One of the most interesting lives in American history... "
— Case, 4/1/2011 -
" Love reading about Walt Disney's life. This is going to be a good one. "
— Aaron, 2/24/2011 -
" Loved this Biography. Gave some great insight into what happened to make Walt decide to do his studio. "
— Jessie, 1/23/2011 -
" This was quite interesting. Disney was an incredible innovator...any one of his achievements would cap a life's work. Listened to this in the car on a round trip to New England and that format worked extremely well. "
— John, 1/19/2011 -
" I've actually only read parts, but I heard about nearly every chapter in detail from my wife as she read it. Everything she read (and I heard) and we discussed was inspiring and engaging. Whatever his faults, Disney really did understand the wish our heart makes and why we need to pursue it. "
— Steve, 1/13/2011 -
" Just a great book, from start to finish. Wonderful pacing, a warts-and-all look at one of the most imaginative thinkers and doers of the 20th century. "
— Michael, 11/27/2010 -
" It was good, but it was very dark. I just don't buy that Walt Disney was that big of an a-hole. Maybe he was. "
— Sidemoss, 10/5/2010
About Neal Gabler
Neal Gabler is a journalist. He works as a professor for the MFA program at Stony Brook Southampton. He graduated from Lane High School in Chicago, Illinois, and was inducted into the National Honor Society. He graduated summa cum laude from the University of Michigan and holds advanced degrees in film and American culture.