It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the number of books released each year about Disney and its history. I read a lot yet feel like I’ve barely covered a small portion of what’s out there. To help with my reading list for 2019, I’ve put together a group of 10 books that I aspire to read next year. All but one title are already available, and some aren’t that new. The goal is to broaden my knowledge of Disney’s parks and films by selecting books for this list that deserve my attention.
This list of 10 books is not a definitive group, and I’m not ranking them in any way. It’s just a collection of strong choices that have received acclaim or are just about an interesting topic. They also come from distinguished authors that have done fine work in the past. After reading each title next year, I’ll give updates and possibly write reviews to spotlight great options. We’re all busy and have limited reading time, so recommendations help to make life a little easier.
Walt Disney’s Disneyland by Chris Nichols
There are some great books about Disneyland out there, including Sam Gennawey’s excellent title The Disneyland Story from 2013. Even so, there is definitely more room for detailed books about Walt’s original park. The new Taschen Books release from Chris Nichols appears to be a stunning look at Disneyland. I never get tired of seeing historical pictures, and this book goes way beyond the obvious photos. My only hesitation comes from the price, which is more than $50. From what I can gather though, it’s definitely worth the high cost given what’s inside.
The Life and Times of Ward Kimball: Maverick of Disney Animation by Todd James Pierce
I’m intrigued by the work of Ward Kimball, who played a key role depicting space travel during the 1950s through Disney’s TV episodes like “Man in Space” and “Man on the Moon”. He was also a talented animator involved with iconic films. Set for release in early 2019, this biography from Todd James Pierce is right up my alley. I know Pierce’s work through the Disney History Institute podcast, and he also wrote Three Years in Wonderland about the time prior to Disneyland’s opening. I can’t wait to learn more about Kimball in Pierce’s new book.
Yesterday’s Tomorrow: Disney’s Magical Mid-Century by Don Hahn
When a book is described as a “valentine to an era of optimism, relaxed lifestyle, and innovative design”, I’m totally on board for it. Don Hahn is known as the producer of many Disney films, including the recent live action Beauty and the Beast. I did not realize until recently that he’s also an accomplished author with books like The Alchemy of Animation and Brain Storm as past works. His new book about mid-century modern design and Disney sounds like great fun. I’m fascinated by this era and its connection to the parks. This is a must read for me.
Ink & Paint: The Women of Walt Disney’s Animation by Mindy Johnson
There are many underserved areas in the Disney Company’s history, particularly from its early years. Disney fans are familiar with the work of Mary Blair, Alice Davis, and a few others. I’m hopeful that Mindy Johnson’s book goes well beyond those stories. It’s an official Disney Editions release, but it can still help to spotlight artists lost to time. Johnson also wrote Tinker Bell: An Evolution and seems like the right person to tell this story.
Travels with Walt Disney: A Photographic Voyage Around the World by Jeff Kurrti
Jeff Kurrti’s name is familiar to many Disney fans through books like Since the World Began, Walt Disney’s Imagineering Legends and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park, and many titles focused on Disney films. His latest book focuses on Walt as a world traveler with photos and stories from those trips to other countries. I love this concept the way it shows Walt as a man beyond the person on TV. I can’t wait to check it out and learn more about Walt’s travels.
George Lucas: A Life by Brian Jay Jones
This choice is more Disney-adjacent than directly related to the company, but it feels right given Lucas’ involvement in the parks. I’m currently reading Brian Jay Jones’ Jim Henson biography and enjoying it, which makes his Lucas biography an easy sell. This 2017 book is over 500 pages long, so it’s not a quick read, but that offers more room for specifics. I know the basic story of Lucas’ life; what I’m seeking is info that I didn’t know. I’d love to get a better understanding of the evolution of a young indie filmmaker into a wealthy institution.
In Service to the Mouse: My Unexpected Journey to Becoming Disneyland’s First President by Jack Lindquist and Melinda J. Combs
Jack Lindquist worked at Disney for 38 years, but his name is not as well-known as many legendary figures. This memoir from 2010 describes his time working at Disney and interactions directly with Walt and others. I enjoy getting the full personal stories of individuals closely involved with the parks and more. I know very little about Lindquist, so I cannot wait to catch up with his story and find out about his life.
The Walt Disney World That Never Was: Stories Behind the Amazing Imagineering Dreams That Never Came True by Christopher E. Smith
I’m aware of many of the famous attraction ideas that never came to fruition at Walt Disney World. The Western River Expedition is a perfect example, and there are so many World Showcase concepts that almost became a reality. I suspect there are a lot more that I know about at all. That’s why I’m excited to read Christopher E. Smith’s book about this topic. An entire book of attractions that we’ll likely never experience is a perfect choice for me.
The Haunted Mansion: Imagineering a Disney Classic by Jason Surrell
I’ve read books dedicated to the Haunted Mansion, including Jeff Baham’s excellent work on The Unauthorized Story of The Haunted Mansion. I’m also familiar with Jason Surrell through his wide range of titles on Disney history. Jason released his second book about the Mansion in 2015, and I purchased it earlier this year. This is a choice that is actually sitting in my house right now. I just need to find the time to read this attractive book this year.
Maps of the Disney Parks: Charting 60 Years from California to Shanghai by Vanessa Hunt, Kevin Neary, and Susan Neary
I love reading large coffee table books focused on Disney’s theme parks. I’ve also always enjoyed diving into Disney’s maps, even when I’m not currently visiting the parks. In the pre-Internet days, brochures were some of the best ways to stay connected with Walt Disney World. This book contains a variety of maps from around the world and different eras. I can’t wait to pick up a copy and spend a long time digging into the maps of Disney’s many parks.
What Disney books are part of your reading list for 2019?
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Jeff Barnes says
Great list Dan! I, too, am looking forward to reading some of these in 2019.
Dan Heaton says
Thanks Jeff! There are quite a lot of books about Disney and the parks out there, so it’s a challenge to narrow them down to a manageable list. I’m hoping this is just a starting point for a lot more.