Work in Progress

Work in Progress chronicles Michael Eisner's path through the entertainment industry, from his early career at ABC and Paramount to his transformative tenure as CEO of The Walt Disney Company. The book combines personal memoir with business philosophy, drawing from Eisner's experiences in television, film, and theme park entertainment. The narrative covers Eisner's formative years and key relationships that shaped his professional trajectory. His partnerships with creative talents and business leaders serve as foundations for broader insights into entertainment industry leadership. This business memoir explores the intersection of creative vision and corporate strategy in the media landscape. Through Eisner's perspective, the book examines the challenges of maintaining artistic integrity while pursuing commercial success in a rapidly evolving industry.

Readers describe this corporate memoir as an insider's view of Eisner's career at Disney, though many note it focuses more on his successes than failures. What readers liked: - Behind-the-scenes details about Disney acquisitions and projects - Insights into entertainment industry decision-making - Stories about working with key creative figures - Clear writing style and pacing What readers disliked: - Self-congratulatory tone - Glosses over controversies and conflicts - Limited self-reflection or criticism - Too much focus on business deals vs personal growth "More of a victory lap than an honest memoir" notes one Amazon reviewer. Multiple readers mentioned wanting more depth about Eisner's management style and philosophy. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (487 ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (89 reviews) LibraryThing: 3.5/5 (21 ratings) Common reader sentiment is that while informative about Disney's corporate history, the book lacks vulnerability and reads like carefully managed PR.

Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination by Neal Gabler Chronicles Disney's rise from animator to entertainment mogul through personal stories and business decisions that shaped the industry.

DisneyWar by James B. Stewart Documents Michael Eisner's tenure at Disney, featuring corporate battles, leadership transitions, and behind-the-scenes accounts of major company decisions.

Powerhouse: The Untold Story of Hollywood's Creative Artists Agency by James Andrew Miller Traces CAA's evolution through first-hand accounts of deals, relationships, and transformative moments in entertainment business history.

When Hollywood Had a King: The Reign of Lew Wasserman by Connie Bruck Details how Lew Wasserman built MCA/Universal into an entertainment empire while transforming the relationship between studios, talent, and television.

The Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger Presents the business principles and experiences that shaped Disney's transformation during Iger's leadership from 2005 to 2020.

🎬 Under Eisner's 21-year leadership, Disney's market value grew from $1.8 billion to $80 billion, marking one of the most dramatic corporate transformations in business history. 🏰 The book reveals how Disney originally passed on purchasing NBC when it was for sale in 1985, a decision that would have significantly altered the media landscape. 📺 Before joining Disney, Eisner helped revive ABC's primetime lineup with hits like "Happy Days" and "Laverne & Shirley" as a young programming executive. 🌟 Co-author Tony Schwartz went on to ghostwrite Donald Trump's "The Art of the Deal," which became one of the bestselling business books of all time. 🎡 The memoir details how Eisner almost lost his life to a heart condition in 1994, leading to emergency bypass surgery and a significant shift in his management approach at Disney.