I can't wait to buy this upcoming autobiography!

By the way: the Disney Books Network has just been updated. 

I was glad to see that Moana 2 is doing really well at the box office.

I have not watched the movie yet, but I just received The Art of Moana 2 released by Chronicle Books and, as always they did a beautiful job.

I especially enjoyed some of the concept pieces by Joyce Lee and the stunning character designs of Kotu by Kenny Leoncito.

Another excellent instalment in Chronicle Books "Art of" series.

 An auction full of stunning treasures is coming up at Heritage.

 I just ordered this. I will let you know what I think when I get it. I am quite excited about it.

I just received my personal copy of Donald Duck--The Ultimate History by JB Kaufman and David Gerstein.

Like it predecessor "Mickey Mouse --The Ultimate History" it is massive and it is a must-have.

I had a chance to read the full manuscript a few weeks ago and, from cover to cover, it is full of new information and illustrations that I had never seen before.

As you can expect, knowing me, the chapters that I found the most fascinating were those about the abandoned Donald Duck shorts, which are extensive and amazingly detailed.

I realize that this is not a cheap book, but owning is really, really worth it. I am convinced that you will not regret it.

I really hope that both Taschen, JB and David have many more surprises of this caliber for all of us.

Is it just me or are Pierre Lambert's art books getting better and better with each new release!!?

I just received my own copy of his Cinderella and I was absolutely stunned by its content. So much artwork that I had never seen before, including a much larger amount of pre-production art that ever before (at least it feels that way).

This is a must-have if there is one this holiday season. My advice: Get it as soon as you can!

 

Now that Walt Disney and El Grupo in Latin America has been released, we are hard at work on the sequel, which should be released in 2026: the monograph Walt Disney and El Grupo in Mexico and Cuba (1942 - 1944). 

In the context of that (absolutely fascinating) research, I just unearthed this photograph, shot on December 17, 1942, when Walt visited the offices of the radio station XEW. 

It features the Mexican artists Toña "La Negra", Pedro de Lille and Sergio Torres. Sadly, it will not be included in the monograph since it was sold at auction in 2017 and I was unable to locate a high resolution scan. But I thought you may enjoy it.

Did one of you purchase those rare photos of the 1941 Disney strike on eBay a few days ago? If so, could you please email me at didier.ghez@gmail.com? 

Two great books that none of you should miss just popped up this weekend for pre-order on Amazon:

The Happiest Place on Earth: The Incredible Story of Walt Disney's Disneyland by Don Hahn and Christopher Merritt and After Disney: Toil, Trouble, and the Transformation of America's Favorite Company by Neil O'Brien.

 

Two photos of Walt spotted on Facebook yesterday. The caption reads:

[In this photo you can see the famous Walt Disney with his wife Lilian on the island of Matica (in the Dominican Republic in February 1957), on one of his visits to Mr. Rogers at the Hamaca Hotel, located in the Boca Chica Spa. Mr. Roger was the manager of the Hamaca Hotel and creator of the Matica Zoo.]

 

Great video about the multiplane camera by Zach Tolchinsky, complete with an interview of my friend, Disney historian JB Kaufman.

There is one more Disney history book that you should not miss this year: Walt Disney Treasures--Personal Art and Artifacts from The Walt Disney Family Museum.

This is an absolutely gorgeous art book which highlights some of the best items in the collections of The Walt Disney Family Museum.

My favorite sections are the ones that focus on the artifacts owned by Walt and his family, like items from Walt's miniature collection, the saddles Walt used on his trips with the Rancheros Visitadores, Walt's polo paraphernalia, etc.

I was also delighted to discover quite a few photos that I had never seen. 

And the team of the Museum also really did their homework when it comes to the text which is both accurate and informative.

Way to go! This is a book I am bound to read and re-read often. 

DISNEY HISTORY COMPETITION

Ok, let's do something fun! I am launching a Disney History competition that opens now and lasts until Monday at midnight PST.

If you have a document related to Disney history (photograph, written material, piece of artwork, etc.) that you believe I have never seen before and that will really excite me, please email it at Didier.Ghez@gmail.com (and let me know if you allow me to post it online if you win the competition).

On Tuesday next week, I will select the winner, who will receive from Skyway Press the latest 4 copies of "Walt's People," thanks to Skyway Press' owner, my friend and fellow Disney historian, Joe Campana.

I can't wait to discover new pieces of Disney history!

 

A new book about Tyrus Wong to look forward to! Thanks to Dave Mason for the heads up.

Finally! Taschen's massive volume, Donald Duck--The Ultimate History by David Gerstein and JB Kaufman is now available for pre-order on Amazon.

Each month I check Amazon's list of "best books of the month." Two days ago, Disney High, was part of the September list. Recent history for sure, but now I am curious. 

Very subjective and focused only on Walt Disney and animation, this is the list I created for Sheperd.com. Unfortunately I had to limit myself to 5 books, which is far from ideal.

I just received my copy of the late Richard Williams' autobiography, Adventures in Animation, and, as expected, it is a winner.

My favorite chapters are those about Milt Kahl, Art Babbitt and Grim Natwick, of course.

 

I just received a copy of another extremely important book about Disney history that will be released in a few weeks, Stephen Anderson's Disney In-Between--The Lost Years 1966-1986. Here is what I wrote about it for the back cover:

At long last! This is the book about Disney history I have been waiting for more than 30 years. Stephen Anderson’s year-by-year account of the period between Walt Disney’s death and the Renaissance of Disney animation is researched with care, visually striking, thoroughly entertaining and a page-turner to boot. Thanks to this masterful volume, light is finally shining bright on those years full of drama and promise known to some as Disney’s “dark ages.”

 

Disney Legend Martha Blanding has a fascinating personal story, which is beautifully captured in her autobiography, Groundbreaking Magic.

If you are interested in the evolution of Disneyland since the 1970s against the backdrop of societal changes, the fun and glamour of Guest Relations, the inner workings of Disney fan-tailored events, and the complexity of Disney Parks merchandise operations, this book is for you. 

Of course, I am biased, since Martha's co-writer, Tim O'Day, is a good friend whose writing style I love.

From my standpoint the book was interesting both from a Disney-history angle, but also, of course, due to its focus on growing up black in California at a time where things were finally starting to change for the better.

In summary: If you have to decide and can only buy two Disney Editions books this season, pick up Bob Weis' autobiography and Directing at Disney by Pete Docter and Don Peri. If you have some extra money to spare, definitely add to your list Groundbreaking Magic and Bring the Magic Home.