imagineerwannabe
07-29-2005, 12:06 PM
I finished Disney Wars, by James Stewart, a few days ago and thought I would give a short review.
Mr. Stewart has collected a very detailed explanation of events that took place since Michael Eisner joined Disney, to the present. The information seems to be impartial, and grabbed from interviews, newspaper headlines, and court testimony. Some of the reading is difficult to follow since Stewart describes each Disney Executive in detail for each event in late Disney history. However, following is easier with a list of executives at the beginning of the book along with their positions and tenure.
I found the book to be extremely interesting, and discovered myself relating some of the events and Machiavellian practices to my own work situation. I also found myself with a new perspective on the Disney company and its history. Eisner is the main executive focused on, and Stewart shows his good and bad side, along with his long list of accomplishments, and failures. The book acknowledges Eisner as the man who made the company what it is today, but also notes his impulsive behavior sometimes hurt the company. Stewart also delves into Iger, and how this quite man ascends in the Disney ranks by staying under the radar.
Although this was a library book, it is a book I intend to purchase as a reference for my own Disneyana library. I recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about the business of the Disney company, and who doesn't mind having their impressions of the "magic" company tainted.
Mr. Stewart has collected a very detailed explanation of events that took place since Michael Eisner joined Disney, to the present. The information seems to be impartial, and grabbed from interviews, newspaper headlines, and court testimony. Some of the reading is difficult to follow since Stewart describes each Disney Executive in detail for each event in late Disney history. However, following is easier with a list of executives at the beginning of the book along with their positions and tenure.
I found the book to be extremely interesting, and discovered myself relating some of the events and Machiavellian practices to my own work situation. I also found myself with a new perspective on the Disney company and its history. Eisner is the main executive focused on, and Stewart shows his good and bad side, along with his long list of accomplishments, and failures. The book acknowledges Eisner as the man who made the company what it is today, but also notes his impulsive behavior sometimes hurt the company. Stewart also delves into Iger, and how this quite man ascends in the Disney ranks by staying under the radar.
Although this was a library book, it is a book I intend to purchase as a reference for my own Disneyana library. I recommend it to anyone who wants to know more about the business of the Disney company, and who doesn't mind having their impressions of the "magic" company tainted.