A Brief History of Walt Disney

This is not only a fascinating account of Walt Disney’s own significant artistic creations, but also an insightful history of the hugely successful entertainment behemoth he created. Disney, the man, was the animation genius behind such groundbreaking creations as 1937’s Snow White and the iconic figure of Mickey Mouse, but he was also the driving force behind the entire legacy of Disney animation, from Dumbo to Pixar’s Toy Story, as well as the hugely popular theme parks. But there was a dark side to Disney, too, which is explored here: his disputed parentage; the industrial disputes that dogged his support for the war effort; his work for the FBI; and his anti-Communist and allegedly racist and antisemitic views. Robb traces Disney’s post-Walt decline and the company’s triumphant rebirth for a digital future with the acquisition of Pixar, The Muppets, Marvel Comics and, most recently, Star Wars.