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.

Let's admit it, when I first saw the cover of Bring the Magic Home by Sunny Chanel I did not think that book was for me.

Yet, when I saw it at D23, I realized that I was totally wrong and that I needed it.

The photos of the themed houses interiors are stunning, but more importantly, the author decided to interview quite a few Imagineers (including Tony Baxter) and to include a good number of Disney concept paintings that I had not seen before.

Which means that the book ends up becoming not just a feast for the eyes but also a very interesting book on the periphery of Disney history.

Well-worth it from my admittedly subjective standpoint.