The Quotable Walt Disney

The Quotable Walt Disney compiles hundreds of statements and remarks from Walt Disney himself, spanning his entire career from the 1920s through the 1960s. The quotes come from interviews, articles, television appearances, and private correspondence. Dave Smith, founder of the Walt Disney Archives, organized the material into themed chapters covering topics like animation, Disneyland, television, creativity, and business philosophy. Each quote includes context and source information to place Disney's words in their proper historical framework. The collection represents Disney speaking in his own voice about his work, dreams, and principles - from casual observations to major announcements that shaped entertainment history. Smith's brief introductions to each section provide necessary background while letting Disney's personality emerge through his direct statements. This reference work reveals Disney's vision and values through his own carefully chosen words, offering insights into the mindset of an entertainment pioneer who transformed American popular culture. The quotes demonstrate his focus on innovation, storytelling, and creating experiences that would resonate with families.

Readers appreciate the comprehensive collection of Disney quotes organized by themes like creativity, leadership, and family. Multiple reviewers note the book helps separate real Walt Disney quotes from misattributed ones that circulate online. Readers liked: - First-hand verification of quotes by Disney Archives founder Dave Smith - Inclusion of source/context for each quote - Clear organization by topic - Quality binding and presentation Common criticisms: - Some quotes feel repetitive across sections - Limited annotations/background information - No photographs or illustrations included - Higher price point compared to similar quote books Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (93 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (89 reviews) One reader noted: "This serves as the definitive source for actual Walt Disney quotes rather than internet memes." Another criticized: "The book needs more historical context around when/where quotes originated." The book received lower scores from readers expecting a more narrative biographical approach rather than pure quotations.

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How to Be Like Walt by Pat Williams and Jim Denney The book combines Walt Disney's philosophies and teachings with accounts from people who worked alongside him.

Dream It! Do It! by Martin Sklar A collection of leadership principles and creative insights from a Disney Imagineer who worked directly with Walt Disney reveals the thinking behind the magic.

Walt Before Mickey by Timothy Susanin The narrative focuses on Walt Disney's early career and formative experiences that shaped his later expressions and business philosophies.

The Animated Man: A Life of Walt Disney by Michael Barrier The biography examines Walt Disney's creative process and business decisions through documented conversations and first-hand accounts.

✦ Author Dave Smith was Disney's first official archivist, founding the Walt Disney Archives in 1970 and serving as chief archivist for four decades ✦ The book contains over 750 quotes from Walt Disney, organized into themed categories including creativity, leadership, and personal philosophy ✦ Many quotes in the collection come from Walt's personal correspondence and internal company memos that were previously unpublished ✦ Dave Smith personally verified the authenticity of each quote included in the book, debunking several commonly misattributed "Disney quotes" in the process ✦ Before his death in 2019, Smith authored or co-authored more than 20 books about Disney history and received the prestigious Disney Legends Award in 2007