Disney History Books | MouseFreak

Disney History Books

Enhance your collection and expand your knowledge of all things Disney with books on the history of the man, the company, and the art, movies, and theme parks.

Early Disney History
The Disney Treasures Selected from the vast archives of The Walt Disney Company, this historic collection includes handwritten letters and notes of Walt's, rare character sketches from the 1930s and 1940s, replicas of Disneyland's opening- day tickets, photos, movie theater programs, comic strips, greeting cards, commissary menus, and other treasures, reproduced in facsimile form. Many of these special features are designed to be removable so readers can touch and hold masterfully reproduced bits of history. In addition, the book comes with a 60-minute CD that features previously unheard audio of Walt Disney, radio commercials from the 1950s, and never-before-released sound tracks from the parks' most popular attractions.	The Disney Keepsakes The 512-page Warman's Field Guide is a value-priced book with a portable size and a listing of prices, descriptions, and photos for an extensive variety of vintage and modern Disney collectibles. This pocket-sized book is ideal for taking along to flea markets, estate auctions, and yard sales for on-the-spot research.
History of Disney Animation, Music, & Movies
The Disney Treasures This book chronicles the 50-year history of the Disney recording companies launched by Walt and Roy Disney in the mid-1950s, providing a perspective on all-time Disney favorites with anecdotes, reminiscenses, and biographies of the artists who brought Disney magic to audio. Includes brief performer biographies, reproductions of album covers, and facsimiles of related promotional materials.	Walt Disney's Nine Old Men and the Art of Animation Most Disney characters between 1930 and 1970 were animated by one of the Nine Old Men. Through the span of their careers, these nine highly skilled men, exhibited a loyalty to one another and their employer unparalled in most professions. This candid narrative of their lives and contributions will continue to be a significant, essential source for story and inspiration.
The Disney Films Leonard Maltin presents a fascinating overview of every Disney film, both animated and live-action. Included are plot summaries, production credits, and insightful critical commentaries, as well as interviews with notable Disney staff members.	Mickey Mouse: The Evolution, The Legend, The Phenomenon! From musical mouse-terpieces and groundbreaking films, through chameleon-like changes and comebacks, this book addresses the personality and staying power of an international hero and all-around good guy. Never-before-published artwork from The Walt Disney Archives and private collections is showcased alongside classic illustrations-more than 300 images in all.
Paper Dreams: The Art And Artists Of Disney Storyboards This book focuses on the birth and progression of the storyboard method, exploring both the history and the personalities of the Disney storyboard department, from the early Disney days (when Walt created the storyboard to add depth and substance to the animated shorts the early studio produced) to today (when ever-changing teams of story specialists gather material and prepare sequence drawings before artists flesh out those Disney masterpieces).	The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation The inside scoop on how the studio created the works that have charmed the world from two of Disney's original animators. The most complete book on the subject ever written, this book tells the story of the gradual perfecting of a relatively young and particularly American art form which no other movie studio has ever been able to equal.
History of Walt Disney, the Man
The Magic Kingdom: Walt Disney and the American Way of Life This book is a balanced examination of Walt Disney, his work, and the cultural significance of his work. At 568 pages, The Magic Kingdom has been named by many readers as the ultimate Walt Disney biography.	How to Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life An inspiring biography of one of the most influential and beloved figures of the 21st century, based on more than a thousand interviews. This book pulls together all the various strands of Disney's life into one straightforward, easy-to-read tale of imagination, perseverance, and optimism.
Walt Disney: Conversations This book is a collection of more than 20 interviews and profiles from the late 1920s to the late 1960s, tracing Walt Disney's entire career and showing how he saw his productions as shapers of popular culture. Includes an interview conducted by producer Cecil B. DeMille, Disney's testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee, and rarely seen pieces from the Disney corporation's archives.	Walt Disney: An American Original A definitive biography of the man behind the legend of Disney: the unschooled cartoonist from Kansas City who went bankrupt on his first movie venture and developed into the genius who produced unmatched works of animation, and ultimately was the creative spirit of an international entertainment empire that has enchanted generations. Includes a collection of rare photographs.
History of the Walt Disney Company and Theme Parks
Vinyl Leaves: Walt Disney World and America Author Professor Fjellman analyzes each ride and theater show of Walt Disney World and discusses the history, political economy, technical infrastructure, and urban planning of the area as well as its relationship with Metropolitan Orlando and the state of Florida.	Walt Disney and the Quest for Community This 224-page book is a history of the original concept of EPCOT, the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, that Walt Disney was working on at the time of his death.
Disney: The First 100 Years Dave Smith, chief archivist of the Walt Disney Archives, and Steven Clark, Disney writer and publicist, explore the Disney story, celebrating the birth, development, and success of The Walt Disney Company year by magical year.	Understanding Disney: The Manufacture of Fantasy This book examines the processes by which the Disney company manufactures the fantasies which enthrall millions. It analyses the historical expansion of the Disney empire, examines the content of Disney's classic films, cartoons and TV programs and shows how they are produced, considering how some of the same techniques have been applied to the Disney theme parks.
Walt Disney's Legends of Imagineering and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park Walt Disney brought together a creative team that blended imagination with engineering and called them 'Imagineers'. This book examines the original Imagineers, exploring their individual relationships with Walt and with each other, their creative breakthroughs and failures, and their rivalries and professional politics.	Walt Disney Imagineering: A Behind-the-Dreams Look at Making the Magic Real Walt Disney Imagineering tells the complete story of the making of the magic of the Disney theme parks from the perspective of the Imagineers themselves, with rough drawings and conceptual models, fascinating plans for things that never happened, original artwork, anecdotes, and trivia.