LIFE Walt Disney: From Mickey to the Magic Kingdom

by LIFE

Disney World is often referred to as the "happiest place on earth" and the character Mickey Mouse is long ingrained in our collective memory. The Walt Disney Company is one of the largest and most valuable companies in the world. But behind all of that was one ambitious small-town farm boy who failed as often as he succeeded, and finally found worldwide fame - thanks to a cartoon mouse.Throughout the rise of Walt Disney, LIFE magazine was there, covering everything from the first Mickey merchandising to the launch of Walt Disney World in 1971, and now in this all-new special edition, LIFE revisits both the man and the magic in LIFE Walt From Mickey to the Magic Kingdom. Very few people know that as a young entrepreneur, he struggled with bankruptcy, borrowing money until he had a hit with the Mickey Mouse cartoons in the late 1920s. Beloved movies of today - Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Bambi - bombed when first released, and it wasn't until the astronomical success of Disneyland in 1951 that finally put his company into the black.From early days to troubled times, and successes and failures too numerous to count that bring us all to the World of Disney that we all know and love today, LIFE Walt Disney is a fitting tribute to a creative force that has and will continue to influence countless generations for years to come.

118 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 22, 2016

About the author

Life was an American magazine published weekly from 1883 to 1972, as an intermittent "special" until 1978, and as a monthly from 1978 until 2000. During its golden age from 1936 to 1972, Life was a wide-ranging weekly general interest magazine known for the quality of its photography.

Reviews

[Leslie Goddard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the perfect book for what it is — a brief, entertaining tribute to Walt Disney. As you’d expect from a Life book, it is full of photographs, reproduced large and in crisp, clear format. The text is snappy and engaging. It took me about 2 hours to finish the whole thing, paying close attention to every word and every photo.

This isn’t a good pick for someone wanting an in-depth exploration of who Walt Disney was or how the Disney empire came to be. Nor is it likely to satisfy someone wanting a thoughtful examination of Disney, warts and all.

But it would be perfect for a Disney fan who wants a glowing, engaging, easy-to-digest introduction to the man who started it all.

[Shanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Left me wanting more. A quick history that added facts to what I thought I already knew about the man behind the mouse. Makes me want to read more.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great overview of Walts life and the journey of the Disney company throughout it.

[Amy Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this magazine a few years ago and kept saving it for some special day until I forgot it. It was absolutely wonderful and I devoured it, it was so fascinating, inspiring and magical, I'm really sorry it's over now. I'd definitely like to read a proper Disney biography one day!

[Kate Cav-Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very similar to the documentary “Walt: the man behind the myth”

[jaimedannie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is so much I didn't know about Walt that was quite disturbing. I had no idea that the image of "Uncle Walt" from the Disney television show was not a depiction of the true Walt; that "Uncle Walt" was a figment of Disney's imagination. From the accounts of this book Walt mistreated his Imagineers, his employees, and pretty much anyone that worked on the lot. He had an idea of perfection that he expected in himself and he placed that requirement on everyone around him. I also didn't know how absent he was as a father. I did not know that he had a room at the studio that he just stayed in and didn't go home. Although I can't help but wonder with the current culture that speaks very strongly against white males, was the writer of this recent biography driven more towards that part of Walt's story than other parts of his life. Unfortunately reading more about Walt has colored the mystery and wonder of Disney movies from my childhood. Reading about the movie song of the South also Disturbed me. I have never seen that film and did not know any of the racist ideas portrayed in that film, although I would have to see the film for myself to come to any conclusions. This was an interesting read and one I would recommend if you want to learn the back story of Disneyland.

📚my ratings:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐: Loved it. Couldn't put it down. I will probably read it again and it has a place in my library.
⭐⭐⭐⭐: Enjoyed it. Good characters, great story. if nonfiction, great information, interesting topic.
⭐⭐⭐: Liked it. Glad I read it, but probably won't read again.
⭐⭐: okay, I won't read it again, it will not be kept for my library.
⭐: I didn't like it, don't recommend it.