A Mouse Divided: How Ub Iwerks Became Forgotten, and Walt Disney Became Uncle Walt

by Jeff Ryan

Almost everything you know about Mickey Mouse is he wasn’t Disney’s first star; Steamboat Willie wasn’t his first movie; Mickey wasn’t a nice guy—and Walt Disney didn’t invent him.

In 1928, two very different best friends invented Mickey Mouse. And the success tore them apart. Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks’s friendship is a story of betrayal, love, war, money, power, tragedy, intrigue, humor, despair, and hope. You’ll love them both—when you don’t want to drop anvils on their heads. Discover the men behind the mouse, and the mystery behind the magic.

A Mouse Divided is a stirring depiction of two underdogs. One invented Mickey Mouse—and one said he did. You’ll love Walt Disney more than you ever thought possible—until you don’t. And you’ll sympathize with Walt’s friend-turned-rival Ub Iwerks, always in Walt’s shadow.

This true story of how the Disney empire was made is a captivating page-turner, endlessly fascinating and revealing. And it’s never been fully told—until now.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Pop Culture, Business, Audiobook

336 pages, Hardcover

Published July 3, 2018

About the author

Jeff Ryan is the author of FATHER AND SON ISSUES: THE SECRET HISTORY OF SPIDER-MAN, YOUR WORSHIPFULESS (about Carrie Fisher and Princess Leia), A MOUSE DIVIDED (about Walt Disney, Ub Iwerks, and Mickey Mouse), and SUPER MARIO (about Nintendo and its spokerplumber Mario).

He has been published in Salon, Slate, Fast Company, Wired.com, Kotaku, and All Things Considered; and has been featured on NPR’s Marketplace, Time, Forbes, The New York Times, The Economist, The Independent, and Star Talk With Neil DeGrasse Tyson. He lives in Bloomfield, NJ, with his family.

If you don't put all money in the bag right now, he will write a book about Sharknado.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won it in a giveaway!

Disney owns EVERYTHING!

Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, ABC, Fox, Theme Parks, and now Streaming. Plus tons of other shit I don't even know about.

And Walt Disney predicted it over a 100 years ago. He knew that one day the name Disney would be synonymous with entertainment. Even if no one else around him believed it. Walt's global takeover of all things entertainment, wasn't easy. In fact Walt and The Disney Company went broke several times but Walt never gave up and he never doubted himself. Walt Disney has a reputation as a sweet fatherly figure but in real life he was a ruthless businessman who had no problem stabbing people in the back or dropping people who he deemed dead weight.

Including his best friend and the co founder of The Disney Company Ub Iwerks. Ub was the animator who created Mickey Mouse but you've most likely never heard of him. Ub and Walt were besties, rivals and the foundation of everything that would one day become DISNEY.

But Ub didn't know his place. Not everyone is meant to lead. Ub was super talented as an animator but he didnt have that leadership gene. He was soft spoken and quiet. He preferred to spend time drawing but he wasn't an ideas guy. That was Walt's job. If Ub had been in charge of The Disney Company, none of us would know who the hell Mickey Mouse was and there would be no Disney +. Ub didn't have that killer instinct that is needed to takeover the world.

A Mouse Divided is a fascinating look at early days of Disney and its a sad reminder that mixing business with friendship often leads to betrayal and heartbreak.

A Must Read!

[David James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was more of a quick add on to my 2019 book list but I’m glad I included it. I’ve always been a Disney fan, not just the movies and Disneyland but of the corporation as well. But was really surprised by how this company started. It’s not nearly as glamorous as you’d think. In fact it was messy and run on chaos, loans, and grit most of the time and it wasn’t JUST on the back of Walt Disney and that’s the what this books is about

We often only think of Walt Disney when we think of who created and made Disney or Disneyland as we know it today, but it’s so much more. Roy Disney and Ub Iwerks are as much a part of Disney as we know it and maybe more so than you realize. To my surprise, Micky was as much a concept of Ub and Walt but Ub was the actual cartoonist. In fact, Walt wasn’t very good at drawing Micky.

This book is about the early years and history of Walt, Roy and Ub. The story of how these men continued to struggle and work through the end of WW1, the depression and WWII – It’s filled with really interesting history, not just about Disney but the era, the film industry at the time and how they made it through some of the hardest time in American history.

One spoiler I want to add just because it was one of the most interesting facts – Disney made a TON of propaganda films during WWII for the US Government, almost all of it is lost too.

Highly recommend the read or Audio book.

A Mouse Divided: How Ub Iwerks Became Forgotten, and Walt Disney Became Uncle Walt (Hardcover)

[Greg Kopstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Mouse Divided is quite the catchy title for such an interesting and thought provoking journey down the proverbial rabbit hole of Disney history and, dare I say it, lore. The Disney family, had two founding fathers? Ub Iwerks is the man behind the cartoons, the trench fighter, the pragmatist, but sadly the legend never caught on the way it did for "Uncle Walt". This book does Ub's rightful legacy the justice it deserves, but only for those who dig beneath the golden facade of Disney.

This book takes us back to Disney's beginnings, when both Ub and Walt created their first cartoons. It was interesting but very long, with meticulous (and tedious) attention given to almost each cartoon. (I'm sorry, but I don't care much about Oswald and other non-factors.) Then again, this book is meant for a very deep study of Disney beginnings, so just keep that in mind.

It was fascinating but long and drawn out, so be aware of what you're signing up for: an in depth look at Disney history, creativity, and legend.

[Kendall · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book starts off strong. With many facts of intrigue. It loses steam soon there after. Matt Ryan thinks himself a comedian. THINKS being the operative word. I cannot even tell y'all the amount of times I rolled my eyes at his attempts at humor. He also chooses to use the weirdest of vocabulary. To sound smart? To make me read a dictionary? To be quirky? It served no purpose I feel. Also, I dislike this man's author photo. (He is dressed in Mickey gloves and a weird smile...oof). That should have been an indicator to me that this book was going to go some type of way. I digress...unless you're a huge fan of not only Disney, but the art of animation, I would not recommend.

[Caitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was immediately sold on the tagline “how Ub Iwerks became forgotten and Walt Disney became Uncle Walt” but I don’t exactly feel like I got that from my reading experience. It kind of felt like… Ub Iwerks was forgotten in a lot of the text. Lots of details regarding him are glossed over or lumped together in small sections rather than spread across the entire text. And then the tone with which he is constantly referred to is really negative, almost derogatory. I was disappointed in the ending, which gives a big spiel about Walt and Mickey but doesn’t mention Ub or his legacy at all. Despite those hang-ups, I still really enjoyed this and learned a lot.


As someone who prefers my Disney history and commentary neutral, I think this was a courageous attempt at a warts and all depiction of Walt, despite painting him in a slightly more rosy-hued tint than I’d have liked at some points. If you’re into early Disney history, animation history, and early cartoon filmmaking techniques, this is a great read. Don’t let the complaints about lengthy and detailed descriptions of the early cartoons deter you - they’re great when taken in context. I also watched a lot of the shorts as I came across them in the book and it brought me a whole new viewing experience, which was really fun and added a level of appreciation that I didn’t have before.

[Read Ng · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a GoodReads giveaway win, sorta. I won a copy and the author was even good enough to ask me which media I preferred, Hard, Paper, or Electronic. A couple of weeks ago the USPS's "Informed Delivery" stated that my package had arrived. But there was no package in my community mail lockbox. It must have been misdirected to one of my neighbors. Well, I live in a "Disneyland" clean street, so surely one of my "good" neighbors would be sure to get it back to me. After all, the package had my name and address on it. But alas, I must admit that it was more like the fellow visitor watching me drop, then "finding" my "E ticket" on the ground, and then cutting into line in front of me. So, I assume it is not coming to me and have found another copy to read for my review.

Well, I have finished this fascinating book. All events in this book occurred well before I was born. It was a great (and I assume fair) telling of how Mickey Mouse came into existence. I was awed at the level of dedication and risk it took to set the foundation for the Disney we know today. I have always enjoyed his feature films, but seldom seen any of the shorts. I grew up on TV cartoons so I do understand how some of the animation quality has changed over time. It was great to read about those changes and will make me rethink of the process the next time I enjoy a Disney Classic.

But this book was more about the personalities. Walt was a dreamer. It shines in this book. But all of blemishes on the surface still peak out. It just seems that we were blinded by the overall gloss. It was a shame that Walt and Ub had such a fall out between them. Ub had been with Walt for a long time and should have seen this character flaw. Ub should have taken that into consideration, but then again both sides should have been more emphatic to the other and not let such a friendship sink. But one doesn't grow without venturing out on your own path from time to time. And you can only stretch a friendship so far before something breaks.

This was a Great GoodReads. Be sure to read it, then rewatch some of those Disney Classics to marvel at the execution of history making art.

[Mike McVey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Assuming that the information was accurate, this could have been an effective book for readers. However, it is poorly written and not organized well. Even at the beginning of the book, the author claims it isn’t scholarly, so don’t worry about footnotes. This isn’t helpful. We have no way of verifying some stinging information. Also, I felt like the author was not committed to their thesis as there were weird jumps to justify.

[Drake McCrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could have done without the lengthy summaries of cartoon shorts and the almost constant defensive tone but the parts discussing the business side of things were interesting.

[Leonard Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was a fairly good read providing a more-than-previously-available insight into the life of Disney collaborator Ub Iwerks. Where history is vague the author relays all available legends so the reader can decide for his/herself.

I have one problem with the book. There are quite a few scene-by-scene descriptions of cartoon shorts. This filler content is not necessary. But, as it is not too excessive, I still give this book an overall good grade.

[Abed Gheith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. I’ll admit I had no idea who Ub Iwerks was till I read this. A fascinating account of some of the people responsible for the field of animation. I am a fiend for these kinds of stories. How geniuses rose to the occasion against all odds. But what’s fascinating is how Ub Iwerks is never mentioned in any stories or deeds I’d hear growing up about “Uncle Walt.”
Definitely worthwhile read if you’re a Disney fan. I’d say I am for sure. My obsession was and is Pinocchio.

[Andres Heredia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I wanted at all. This book advertises the rise and fall and rise again of the Ubb andWalts relationship. However most of the book talks only about Walt. Ubb is absent for most of the book.
It goes on to speak about the Mickey shorts in plot detail. Even describing how it would offend, even trigger people in today’s audience. None of that has anything to do with the story made clear.

As a Disney historian enthusiast I would tell you to skip this book

[Blaise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting read. I love animation and appreciated all the technical talk in the book. Im not a big fan of Disney at all but the story is of a business that couldn’t happen in todays world. Walt used people like toilet paper and even the one that was probably the biggest reason Disney became the monster it is today, Ub Iwerks.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating account of the early years of Disney productions. Sometimes I was a little board for instance when he covers frame by frame an old cartoon. Fo readers who are interested in cartoons or movie history this would be a great book.

[Willie R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting bit of Disney history, and what was going on around the time of its start. One thing I was shocked to find out was about what happened to Walt’s mother and how it reflects in the Disney movies

[Russ Burlingame · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of interesting insights, but a few times, the author seemed to uncritically recount Disney urban legends, at least one of which is widely seen as apocryphal. Not especially deep, and at some point about halfway through, it largely leaves Iwerks in the dust.

[T Scott Saponas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched book on Disney before 1945.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a passing interest in Disney’s history (but love history in general). I found this book very interesting and enjoyable. Would recommend!

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A page turning look into the history of the Disney company and the struggles Walt, his head animator Ub and his brother Roy faced throughout the early decades of the 20th century.

[GUY · Rating 4 out of 5]

בסופו של דבר הפרובוקציה נשארת רק בשם, שכן לאחר הקריאה די ברור שוולט דיסני הגיע למעמדו בצדק. זה כמובן לא מוריד במאום ממידת כשרונו של אייוורקס.

[Sam Baca · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deep dive for any true Mickey Mouse lover!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads drawing, which is good, because the local library has not yet been persuaded to purchase it.

The subject is a bit niched; it's not quite a biography of Walt Disney, not quite a history of the Walt Disney Company, not quite a biography of Mickey Mouse, but somewhere in the weeds of the three. There are a lot of descriptions of the early Mickey Mouse short cartoons, and if it weren't for YouTube, this book would be a tedious read with no points of reference. Puns and one-liners are sprinkled though the book.

Author pulls some punches at the hypocrisy of Disney copyright protection; Disney snatched loads of stories/music from the public domain, put it together in a new way, and then copyrighted it such that the copyrights are still in force even 90 years later. (This make-your-great-grandchildren-rich-off-your-intellectual-property nonsense is a sore spot, admittedly.) He hints at it early in the book and then addresses it near the very end.

I would have liked to have heard more about Iwerks after the war. Like, did he stay at Disney, or after the world was saved did he try to do things on his own again? Wikipedia says that his son and granddaughter are both in the film business.

[Mj Neuben · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I have a long-standing interest in all things Disney dating back to a boy first going to Disneyland. So there were things I knew, but many other behind-the-scenes history that this book reveals. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone wanting to know more about Disney history.

[Trevor Trujillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could have easily been a total assassination piece on Walt Disney, and given the current climate I think it would have sold. But what Jeff Ryan manages is a fair, unflinching, and sometimes funny history of Mickey Mouse, Disney animation, and Uncle Walt himself. Walt is given due credit in the areas where he excelled but Ryan also seeks to shine a spotlight on the likes of animation pioneer Ub Iwerks and company businessman Roy Disney.
Many of the old legends Uncle Walt spun for himself are dispelled and the truth comes out.
Did Disney create Mickey? He helped significantly.
Could any of them have done it alone? Doubtful.