Walt Disney

Neal Gabler's encyclopedic biography of the world's most famous animator calls for an enormous vocabulary on the part of both narrator and listener. Many listeners prefer a narration like Arthur Morey's for lengthy nonfiction, a straightforward presentation without theater or animation. However, while his delivery has no faults in diction or clarity, he never seems to find complete comfort in his task. Still, his manner becomes somewhat more relaxed as young Walt learns he has a talent for drawing and a desire to control his future. From there the story increases its momentum as the narrator fades to the background and the story of a man's dreams takes center stage. J.A.H. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine


Neal Gabler is the first Disney biographer to have access to the Disney archives, lending authenticity to this work. That access does not mean that the biography paints a whitewashed picture of this icon of twentieth-century American culture. Indeed, what emerges is a complex man with his own collection of human strengths and weaknesses. Optimistic and confident of his own vision and tenacious enough to stay his course in the face of obstacles, he was at the same time demanding and short on compassion and forgiveness for perceived betrayals. Leonardo Leoncavallo's narration is concise and straightforward. His relaxed tempo and clear enunciation keep the reader engaged in the story of this pioneer of animation, film, and television. N.E.M. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine