How Walt Disney Changed Animation Forever (Hardback)

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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Thank you for the opportunity to review How Walt Disney Changed Animation Forever. It is a fantastic addition to the history of the medium, and I truly appreciated the chance to dive into this specific era of the studio’s legacy.

Here are a few highlights that stood out to me while I was reading it:

Targeted Focus: By narrowing the scope to the 1920s–1950s, the book provides a level of detail and nuance that broader biographies often miss.

Primary Research: The inclusion of firsthand accounts from Disney artists adds incredible depth and credibility to the narrative.

Production Insight: The technical breakdown of how these films were actually made offers a fascinating look at the innovation that defined the "Disney way."

Cultural Context: Linking the studio's growth to the broader historical events of the era makes for a much more immersive and educational read.

NetGalley, Joseph Bruce

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Andrew Stanley Kiste offers an illuminating and meticulously researched look at one of the most transformative periods in animation history with *How Walt Disney Changed Animation Forever*. This is not just a biography of Walt Disney—it’s a deep dive into the creative innovations, studio operations, and cultural impact that reshaped the animation industry and set standards that endure to this day.

Unlike broader Disney biographies that skim over day-to-day studio life or the production process, Kiste focuses on the critical decades of the 1920s through the 1950s, when Disney and his team were revolutionizing storytelling, animation techniques, and film production. Readers gain a rare behind-the-scenes perspective, informed by first-hand accounts from prominent Disney artists and meticulous on-site research at historical locations tied to Disney’s legacy.

The book excels at balancing narrative history with technical insight. Kiste explains complex processes—like early animation techniques, feature-length film production, and studio management innovations—clearly and engagingly, making them accessible even to those without a background in animation. At the same time, the context of the era, from the post-World War I years to the postwar boom, enriches the story, highlighting how Disney both shaped and was shaped by his times.

*How Walt Disney Changed Animation Forever* is a must-read for animation enthusiasts, film historians, and anyone fascinated by creative genius in action. It’s informative, compelling, and full of insightful anecdotes that bring the legend of Walt Disney and the magic of his studio to life.

A 5-star read, this book brilliantly captures Disney’s innovation, ambition, and enduring influence on animation worldwide. It’s a definitive look at how one man—and his studio—changed the course of cinematic storytelling forever.

NetGalley, Jadore Reading

As a Disney lover, this book was such and insightful and fun read. I loved all the facts and history in this book and have enjoyed learning more about Disney and animation.

NetGalley, Kristen Selinsky

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A really thorough and well researched biography about the man that forever changed animation. From the people that were casted to voice characters, to the animators behind the projects to marketers. Its very detailed and has most if not every single person and what they have done included. Learning about Walt was so interesting and fascinating to see just how many people are actually involved in the production of Disney's big boom.

NetGalley, Max Nightingale

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

A very well researched and written biography behind the man who made most of our dreams come true by his stunningly animated feature films. Walt Disney changed most of our lives and the way we view fairy tales and life as a whole.

Learning about his humble beings as a Missouri boy that moved to Los Angeles to created one of the most iconic cartoon characters known today. We take a look at how he developed his animation studio to the way he created the Disney Parks and learning about his relationship with his wife and children.

This book is a great way to learn about Walt and is a fantastic read for any Disney fan! I couldn't recommend this autobiography enough.

NetGalley, Megan Beech

How Walt Disney Changed Animation Forever by Andrew Stanley Kiste was a lovely book and a great book for disney fans out there. This was a book that will tell you everything you need to know about the greatest man "Walter Elias Disney,"
of all times, a man who made children smile when they watch his Disney Movies, and make memories watching them over and over again and talk about them when they become old and grey!!!!

This book had lots of discussion on the making of the earliest and now classic's full-length animated features:
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Dumbo, Bambi, Fantasia, Jungle book and so many more.

It was interesting to learn that several films did not make it and was not popular they were not well received when they first came out at the cinema/movies etc but became classic's later, then loved.

The appendix at the end, summarizing awards nominations and wins, and the many pages of supporting pictures were a welcome bonus to tie the package together.

NetGalley, Nessa Thompson

A really interesting account of the technical details that went into the early Disney animation. The writer tells the story well, making technical details relatively easy to understand and follow, placing events in the studio in context with wider events in the world.

An interesting book, great for fans of Disney, movies, animation or anything along those lines.

NetGalley, Anne Holdorph

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I love Walt Disney. I love the legacy he brought to the world. He had so many firsts and I can't see myself in a world without the Disney universe being there. This book gives a great portrait of Walt Disney and what he did for us. Loved it!

NetGalley, Kajsa Milsten

Right out of the gate, Kiste makes it known that everything he included came from factual information. I do appreciate a well-researched nonfiction book. I enjoyed the indepth discussion of the creative process and the business dealings that took place to get the first cartoons seen by the public. These behind the scenes details will appeal to anyone who is interested in the early decades of film and Hollywood.

Of course, there is lots of discussion on the making of the earliest (and now classic) full-length animated features: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Fantasia and so many more. It was interesting to learn that several films had rough roads to release and that not all were well-received on their first theater runs.

The appendix at the end, summarizing awards nominations and wins, and the many pages of supporting pictures were a welcome bonus to tie the package together.

NetGalley, Martin Maenza