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Walt Before Mickey: Disney’s Early Years 1919-1928

Walt Before Mickey Book Cover Walt Before Mickey
Timothy S. Susanin
Biography & Autobiography
2014-09-01
384

The untold story of ten critical, formative years in the great producer's life

 

Review:

This review is of a complimentary copy provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

“Walt Before Mickey” by Timothy S. Susanin is one of the, if not the, most exhaustive accounts of Disney’s early years that can be found.  The research is thorough, and it shows.

I have mixed feelings on “Walt Before Mickey”.  As a historian, and a huge Disney nerd, the facts presented are a treasure trove.  Almost all of the information is rare, the sources are solid and well-documented, and it brings a feeling of closeness to Disney himself.

On the other hand, there is almost too much information.  Every single person he met has a painstaking account of their looks and history.  Not that those things are not important, but it slows it down and takes away from what is important.  More than once I found my mind wandering during these descriptions, and it really is a shame that it mars what is otherwise an exceptional account of a great man.

I can highly recommend “Walt Before Mickey” to historians or those with an intense interest in Disney himself, but would recommend those with a casual interest to give this one a pass.