Walt Disney
The Triumph of the American Imagination
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wish list failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Walt Disney
Buy Now for $40.79
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Arthur Morey
-
Written by:
-
Neal Gabler
About this listen
ONE OF THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER'S 100 GREATEST FILM BOOKS OF ALL TIME • The definitive portrait of one of the most important cultural figures in American history: Walt Disney.
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 films–most notably Snow White, Fantasia, and Bambi. In his superb biography, Neal Gabler shows us how, over the course of two decades, Disney revolutionized the entertainment industry. In a way that was unprecedented and later widely imitated, he built a synergistic empire that combined film, television, theme parks, music, book publishing, and merchandise. Walt Disney is a revelation of both the work and the man–of both the remarkable accomplishment and the hidden life.
Winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for Biography and USA Today Biography of the Year
You may also enjoy...
-
Disney's Land
- Walt Disney and the Invention of the Amusement Park That Changed the World
- Written by: Richard Snow
- Narrated by: Jacques Roy
- Length: 12 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 17
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 15
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 15
This is a spectacular story of error and innovation, a wild ride from a vision to the realization of an iconic cultural landscape. It reflects the park’s uniqueness, but just as strongly that of the man who built it with a watchmaker’s precision, an artist’s conviction, and the desperate, high-hearted recklessness of a riverboat gambler.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
So inappropriate
- By Aleksandra on 2023-02-18
Written by: Richard Snow
-
DisneyWar
- Written by: James B. Stewart
- Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
- Length: 25 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 47
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 41
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 39
DisneyWar is an enthralling tale of one of America's most powerful media and entertainment companies, the people who control it, and those trying to overthrow them. It tells a story that - in its sudden twists, vivid, larger-than-life characters, and thrilling climax - might itself have been the subject of a Disney classic - except that it's all true.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Wonderful at contextualizing my childhood
- By Julia MacLennan on 2021-06-08
Written by: James B. Stewart
-
Hollywood: The Oral History
- Written by: Jeanine Basinger, Sam Wasson
- Narrated by: Timothy Andrés Pabon, Marni Penning
- Length: 28 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 2
From the archives of the American Film Institute comes a unique picture of what it was like to work in Hollywood from its beginnings to its present day. Gleaned from nearly three thousand interviews, involving four hundred voices from the industry, Hollywood: The Oral History, lets a listener “listen in” on candid remarks from the biggest names in front of the camera—Bette Davis, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Harold Lloyd—to the biggest behind it—Frank Capra, Steven Spielberg, Alfred Hitchcock, Jordan Peele, as well as the lesser known individuals that shaped what was heard and seen on screen.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A must listen for cinephiles
- By Levi McCaan on 2023-05-14
Written by: Jeanine Basinger, and others
-
The Ride of a Lifetime
- Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company
- Written by: Robert Iger
- Narrated by: Jim Frangione, Robert Iger
- Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1,175
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 976
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 971
Robert Iger became CEO of The Walt Disney Company in 2005, during a difficult time. Competition was more intense than ever, and technology was changing faster than at any time in the company’s history. His vision came down to three clear ideas: Recommit to the concept that quality matters, embrace technology instead of fighting it, and think bigger - think global - and turn Disney into a stronger brand in international markets.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Great listening
- By Jean-Alexandre Meunier on 2019-11-22
Written by: Robert Iger
-
Jim Henson
- The Biography
- Written by: Brian Jay Jones
- Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne
- Length: 21 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 32
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 23
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 22
He was a gentle dreamer whose genial bearded visage was recognized around the world, but most people got to know him only through the iconic characters born of his fertile imagination: Kermit the Frog, Bert and Ernie, Miss Piggy, Big Bird. The Muppets made Jim Henson a household name, but they were just part of his remarkable story.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Wonderful walk through Hanson’s life
- By Daniel on 2021-04-05
Written by: Brian Jay Jones
-
Buying Disney's World
- The Story of How Florida Swampland Became Walt Disney World
- Written by: Aaron Goldberg
- Narrated by: Susan L. Crawford
- Length: 4 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 1
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1
In November of 1965, after numerous months of speculation surrounding a mystery industry that had been purchasing large amounts of land in central Florida, Walt Disney finally put an end to the rumors. He announced to the public his grandiose plans for the thousands of acres he had secretly purchased. For the 18 months prior to the announcement, Walt entrusted a small group of men to covertly make these purchases.
Written by: Aaron Goldberg
-
Disney's Land
- Walt Disney and the Invention of the Amusement Park That Changed the World
- Written by: Richard Snow
- Narrated by: Jacques Roy
- Length: 12 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 17
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 15
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 15
This is a spectacular story of error and innovation, a wild ride from a vision to the realization of an iconic cultural landscape. It reflects the park’s uniqueness, but just as strongly that of the man who built it with a watchmaker’s precision, an artist’s conviction, and the desperate, high-hearted recklessness of a riverboat gambler.
-
2 out of 5 stars
-
So inappropriate
- By Aleksandra on 2023-02-18
Written by: Richard Snow
-
DisneyWar
- Written by: James B. Stewart
- Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
- Length: 25 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 47
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 41
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 39
DisneyWar is an enthralling tale of one of America's most powerful media and entertainment companies, the people who control it, and those trying to overthrow them. It tells a story that - in its sudden twists, vivid, larger-than-life characters, and thrilling climax - might itself have been the subject of a Disney classic - except that it's all true.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Wonderful at contextualizing my childhood
- By Julia MacLennan on 2021-06-08
Written by: James B. Stewart
-
Hollywood: The Oral History
- Written by: Jeanine Basinger, Sam Wasson
- Narrated by: Timothy Andrés Pabon, Marni Penning
- Length: 28 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 2
From the archives of the American Film Institute comes a unique picture of what it was like to work in Hollywood from its beginnings to its present day. Gleaned from nearly three thousand interviews, involving four hundred voices from the industry, Hollywood: The Oral History, lets a listener “listen in” on candid remarks from the biggest names in front of the camera—Bette Davis, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Harold Lloyd—to the biggest behind it—Frank Capra, Steven Spielberg, Alfred Hitchcock, Jordan Peele, as well as the lesser known individuals that shaped what was heard and seen on screen.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
A must listen for cinephiles
- By Levi McCaan on 2023-05-14
Written by: Jeanine Basinger, and others
-
The Ride of a Lifetime
- Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company
- Written by: Robert Iger
- Narrated by: Jim Frangione, Robert Iger
- Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 1,175
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars 976
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 971
Robert Iger became CEO of The Walt Disney Company in 2005, during a difficult time. Competition was more intense than ever, and technology was changing faster than at any time in the company’s history. His vision came down to three clear ideas: Recommit to the concept that quality matters, embrace technology instead of fighting it, and think bigger - think global - and turn Disney into a stronger brand in international markets.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Great listening
- By Jean-Alexandre Meunier on 2019-11-22
Written by: Robert Iger
-
Jim Henson
- The Biography
- Written by: Brian Jay Jones
- Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne
- Length: 21 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall4.5 out of 5 stars 32
-
Performance4.5 out of 5 stars 23
-
Story4.5 out of 5 stars 22
He was a gentle dreamer whose genial bearded visage was recognized around the world, but most people got to know him only through the iconic characters born of his fertile imagination: Kermit the Frog, Bert and Ernie, Miss Piggy, Big Bird. The Muppets made Jim Henson a household name, but they were just part of his remarkable story.
-
5 out of 5 stars
-
Wonderful walk through Hanson’s life
- By Daniel on 2021-04-05
Written by: Brian Jay Jones
-
Buying Disney's World
- The Story of How Florida Swampland Became Walt Disney World
- Written by: Aaron Goldberg
- Narrated by: Susan L. Crawford
- Length: 4 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars 2
-
Performance4 out of 5 stars 1
-
Story5 out of 5 stars 1
In November of 1965, after numerous months of speculation surrounding a mystery industry that had been purchasing large amounts of land in central Florida, Walt Disney finally put an end to the rumors. He announced to the public his grandiose plans for the thousands of acres he had secretly purchased. For the 18 months prior to the announcement, Walt entrusted a small group of men to covertly make these purchases.
Written by: Aaron Goldberg
What the critics say
2007, L.A. Times Book Prize (Biography), Short-listed
"Thorough...[and] engrossing." (Publishers Weekly)
"A balanced treatment of the man and his achievements, realistically assessing Disney's considerable impact and offering insight into the hidden, restless soul who constantly challenged himself." (Booklist)
"We've all been waiting for the perfect book on Walt Disney; it has finally arrived and Neal Gabler's done it. Wonderful!" (Ray Bradbury)
What listeners say about Walt Disney
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ken
- 2019-09-01
Must " Read"
Totally enjoy that, for the new entrepeneur to the old dog this is a must even in the 1930's they had the felling that everything was done and no more improvement could be acheive walt prove them all wrong so many times :)
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall4 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Colleen
- 2024-10-03
A Dreamer and Innovator
This is an amazing story of Walt Disney. There has been much written about Walt Disney over the years, of which much has been untrue or shrouded in myth.
This book tells the story from the beginning starting with Walt Disney’s vision to bring a mouse to life as well as many other characters. Disney looked at animation differently and created movies that captured the imaginations of young and old alike.
Disney brought the amazing characters to life and they became part of our culture. Generations have grown up with amazing Disney stories and characters both on the big screen and on television
Disney also brought the theme parks to life and are still drawing crowds every year. The theme parks allow children of all ages to live their dreams about Mickey Mouse, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Donald Duck, Pluto, Peter Pan, Dumbo, just to name a few,
Walt Disney was an incredible man that changed the world even though he was a flawed man. He built an empire on imagination.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance5 out of 5 stars
-
Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2022-12-15
The Highest Standards
This is the story of someone with an unstoppable entrepreneurial spirit. Very inspiring and motivating. Learning about the successes and failures and troubled times puts things in perspective. Loved every moment.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall5 out of 5 stars
-
Performance1 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 2023-08-08
performance is great, but...
the voice has way too much sibilance! I didn't notice until it was too late but this is basically un-listenable
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall3 out of 5 stars
-
Performance3 out of 5 stars
-
Story4 out of 5 stars
- Katrina
- 2022-12-20
Took me forever to read
Written a lot more like an essay than a story, found it hard to pay attention though the information is interesting
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful