The Disney Bookshelf: A Book Discussion Thread

[hippie1kenobi]

I thought it might be fun to have a place to discuss books about Disney; the man, the comapny, the parks, whatever.

What books are you reading now? What all your all time favorites? Any you would recommend? Which did you think wasn't very good?


My favorite would have to be The Illusion of Life. A classic. It covers the evolution of the Disney style of animation, as well as the history of the studio while also giving brief backrounds on some of the major players over the years.

Currently I'm reading a book I found in the library last week. Walt Disney's Railroad Story. The title sounds pretty lame, but it's a great book. It traces Walt Disney's life long love of railroads and explains how they helped in the evolution of Disneyland. It's filled with lots of neat little stories, great pictures and provides a ton of information about the DLRR and WDWRR, while also giving specs for all the locomotives at the four exsisting Magic Kingdom parks.



So, what are you reading?

[MickeyGoof]

Right now im reading MOUSE TALES: A behind the ears look at disneyland after reading the second one first.

I think its a cool read but from browsing the boards here i get the idea that everybody here thinks the books is crap. (can i say that on here?)

[YellowMan]

I'm in the middle of Designing Disney Theme Parks: The Architecture of Reassurance. It's very good, covering much of the Disneyland history before the park even began construction. It also covers the history of and influences amusement parks and fairs had on the design of Disneyland. Anyway, it's an outstanding book but I'm busy with a lot of stuff right now so I'm going through it at a snail's pace. ALso, don't let the coffee table book look of it decieve you. While there are many pictures and photos within, there are many pages of nothing but text (pretty small text, I might add) so there is plenty of substance to this book.

Also, I have Walt Disney: An American Originalby Bob Thomas and The Magic Kingdom: Walt Disney and the American Way of Life, both of which I have yet to begin reading. But my sister recommended them both to me saying they were both very in-depth and very good.

[hippie1kenobi]

Right now im reading MOUSE TALES: A behind the ears look at disneyland after reading the second one first.

I think its a cool read but from browsing the boards here i get the idea that everybody here thinks the books is crap. (can i say that on here?)

Actually, I know of several people here who enjoy Koenig's books.

All Disney related books are open for discussion, even critical ones like Married to the Mouse et al.. All I ask is that we keep this thread civil, as it was intended to be fun and light hearted, not another flame war.

[hippie1kenobi]

Yellowman, I liked Architecture of Reassurance as well. It is intimidating, but it was a good read.(Though honestly, it is a large book and I skipped around and just read the parts that grabbed my interest. )

[Mortimer]

I'm reading The Little Big Book of Disney by Monique Peterson. This book is packed with all kinds of information and pictures. A lot of little facts and tidbits of everything Disney. I can't put this book down!

It also makes a really nice coffee table book.

[Last Halloween]

I'm currently reading Nine Old Men. What a fantastic book! It makes me want to find out even more about those guys. I knew so little before I read this book. Marc Davis and Ward Kimball were familiar to me, but how could I not have known anything about Milt Kahl? It's crazy to think about how talented they all were/are! So many incredible stories about those Disney classics and how they were created. It also makes me want to take a class on animation.

As far as the history of the Disneyland goes, I have my autographed copy of The Nickel Tour to shed a little more light on that.

[hippie1kenobi]

I'm currently reading Nine Old Men. What a fantastic book! It makes me want to find out even more about those guys. I knew so little before I read this book. Marc Davis and Ward Kimball were familiar to me, but how could I not have known anything about Milt Kahl? It's crazy to think about how talented they all were/are! So many incredible stories about those Disney classics and how they were created. It also makes me want to take a class on animation.

As far as the history of the Disneyland goes, I have my autographed copy of The Nickel Tour to shed a little more light on that.

Another good one but a big one. I take it out of the library every now and again and look through it. I rarely get past the pictures, though I read the chapters about Ward Kimball and Les Clark.

I'll have to take your seggestion and read the rest of the book.

[Stinkler26]

I am reading my textbooks for school. *snore*

When I do get some free time, I like to read The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland (2002). I know it's out of date and I know everything in it, but it just brings me back.

[Last Halloween]

I'm reading The Little Big Book of Disney by Monique Peterson. This book is packed with all kinds of information and pictures. A lot of little facts and tidbits of everything Disney. I can't put this book down!

It also makes a really nice coffee table book.

I couldn't agree more. It's easy to pick up and put down. Very fun! Also cool is the Little Big Book of Pooh, if you like him.

I am dying to get my hands on a copy of The Disney Treasures. Tons of archival stuff! I'm really a nerd when it comes to seeing the history of Disney. (Maybe that's why I'm so excited to see what Sklar is cooking up for the Innoventions building.)

Hippie, how soon before that sign shows up on e-bay?