I read this book because LISD has a group of ambassadors they train to spread the truth about public education. This book offers advice on leadership based on how Walt Disney experienced his life. It's a really interesting book. I believe that he was a unique individual. Replicating his accomplishments via his personality is a bit unrealistic. With that said, there's so much good advice. He truly never gave up. I don't think that everyone will succeed with a "crazy" idea if they refuse to give up. Not all ideas are good. His were. He was quite the visionary. The book was very much worth my time. I was very envious of his skills. I have poor facial recognition skills, so I don't recognize people unless I know them well. Also, I can't remember a name to save my life. I might say Annabelle instead of Annabeth. It all runs together in my head; I've always been that way. He knew so many people's names and spoke to everyone. He wasn't pretentious, but he was stubborn. Even though everyone would say something couldn't be done, he said it could. Go figure it out. He didn't figure it out. He came up with the ideas, which is amazing. When people ask how something could be better, I always think--It was fine! All is good! Walt ALWAYS saw a way to make something better. He invented things--had a vision because he would think, "What is" or "Why not." He told people to figure out how to do it and they did! It was truly American ingenuity. He wouldn't have made it without his brother, who handled all of the money. Walt cared nothing for money--just needed it to achieve his dreams. He wanted to serve people. Give them a good experience. Be a good leader/boss. His workaholic attitude got it done while still spending time with his family. Overall, I found the book to be a positive experience and have taken most to the idea that we need to "walk the park." ( )

Every new book on the life of Walt Disney has to be measured on three things: 1) does it have the basics, 2) does it have anything new for the hardcore fan, and (maybe the most important, because this is the key to success of any book) 3) what new approach does the biography bring to the table. Keep in mind, it also has to stand up in comparison to some of the behemoths out there – books like Neal Gabler’s Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination, Richard Schickel’s The Disney Touch and Bob Thomas’s Walt Disney: An American Original.

Criteria number 1: This book does a good job of covering the basics. Someone who knows nothing about the life of Walt Disney will get a very good introduction.

Criteria number 2: Let’s start by saying that the first few chapters were mundanely similar to any other Disney biography you might pick up, and almost had me convinced this book was going to be a waste that provided no new value. And it’s also true that there aren’t really any new facts about Walt (let’s get serious, how much new can there be). However, what the book does provide is new insights based on interviews the author conducted. These are not ground-breaking, earth-shattering insights, but they are new quotes with new spins that are refreshingly different. I’ve got to say that the value of this additional information (and the context in which it was written) was an important part of this book’s success.

Criteria number 3: Here’s the make or break moment and, in this case, it is more break than make. You see, Williams has couched this whole history of Walt Disney around the leadership skills and traits that made him a success. Don’t get me wrong – I enjoy books on leadership – and it was part of the reason this book attracted me. However, the result is an author interrupting the narrative to prove a point, forcing perspectives where they don’t belong, and proselytizing too much on some of his beliefs. The good news is that it is pretty easy to skim through these parts (they are separate sections within each chapter). The bad news (with a little good news) is that, if you skim, you’ll miss a few hidden gems.

At the end of the day: three criteria - maybe two and a quarter points. I started out bored, but within a few chapters became interested, yet was forced through sections of “leadership” I had to pay attention to in order to catch some of the interesting parts. While I wouldn’t make this the first book on Walt’s life I suggested to anyone (see the list above), I would also tell them they wouldn’t go far wrong reading it. ( )

NA