Walt Disney: An American Original
by Neal Gabler
Mentioned once across 1 show · first heard Jun 2026 on Acquired.
The general take
Ben Gilbert highlights how Bob Thomas's book "Walt Disney: An American Original" documents Disney's revolutionary approach to animation, showing how he elevated cartoons from crude, chaotic affairs into something with rounded, humanized characters. Gilbert treats the book as a credible source for understanding Disney's fundamental contributions to the medium.
About
This is the Commemorative Edition of one of the most trusted and respected nonfiction books about Walt Disney ever written! Includes 4 commemorative essays and an endnotes section with insightful passages from 15 Disney historians and authors to provide further context for modern audiences. Walt Disney is an American hero. From Mickey Mouse to Disneyland, he changed the face of American culture. His is a success story like no other: a man who developed animated film into an art form and made a massive contribution to the folklore of the world.
Who said what
Ben Gilbert👍 Recommends
…discussing animation quality improvements under disney
“There's a great quote in the book, Walt Disney, an American original by Bob Thomas, that says, Before Disney, cartoons were slapdash. Two-dimensional characters in bizarre movement before elemental backgrounds. Disney insisted on rounded, humanized figures.”
Acquired — The Walt Disney Companyat 32:30
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