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. 

 

Disney Editions released 4 excellent Disney history books at the D23 Event earlier this month. I already discussed the groundbreaking Directing at Disney, so let's focus this week on the other three.

I like Bob Weis (Global Imagineering Ambassador and former President of Walt Disney Imagineering) very, very much, not just because of what he helped create while at WDI, but also because he cares deeply about Disney history and is one of the main drivers when it comes to cataloging and preserving Marty Sklar's papers.

It did not come as a surprise, therefore, that I loved his autobiography, Dream Chasing, which is well-written, detailed and honest.

It is a great read; one that really takes you behind the scenes at WDI. The fact that Bob also talks a lot about many of his colleagues makes the book even more valuable from my standpoint.

Definitely a "must-have."

Based on a poster that JB Kaufman spotted this weekend on the Disney Editions booth at D23, it appears that the book he and David Gerstein wrote for Taschen, Donald Duck--The Ultimate History, will be released this year on October 31. I am so looking forward to this! 

I am so looking forward to this new book!
 

This photo of Walt Disney and El Grupo's trip to Latin America in 1941, which I bought 24 years ago while living in Buenos Aires, was not included in the new monograph since I do not know exactly where it was shot and since I cannot recognize the man on the left.

In preparation for our panel at D23 on Friday, however, I thought you would enjoy seeing it.

Remember to come and meet us at Booth 325 to pick up your autographed copy of Walt Disney and El Grupo in Latin America.

Mike Westby was kind enough to send me a copy of his newly self-published book Disney History -- Rare & Unknown.

The books is divided into three sections: Early life of Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, Disney merchandise and Disneyland.

The section of the book that I found the most exciting is the one about the early life of Walt and of Ub Iwerks. There is a lot of new material about Ub's father and about Ub's early business venture, complete with illustrations. And Mike digs quite deep into the environment in which Walt grew up, which is also very interesting. You will not find any really new info about Walt himself but you will about his surroundings (complete with illustrations).

The section about Disneyana did not include anything new to me.

I am not a Disneyland specialist so I cannot give you an educated opinion about the third section of the book, save to say that I really enjoyed the story about the 10 millionth visitor of the park and the 10,000 pennies he was awarded by Walt.

Overall, this book is a good read, but particularly valuable if you are into Disney history minutiae and if you are especially interested in the childhood and teenage years of Ub and Walt.