DisneyWar

By: James B. Stewart

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 25 hrs and 40 mins

Publisher's summary

The dramatic inside story of the downfall of Michael Eisner - Disney chairman and CEO - and the scandals that drove America's best-known entertainment company to civil war.

"When You Wish Upon a Star", "Whistle While You Work", "The Happiest Place on Earth" - these are lyrics indelibly linked to Disney, one of the most admired and best-known companies in the world. So when Roy Disney, chairman of Walt Disney Animation and nephew of founder Walt Disney, abruptly resigned in November 2003 and declared war on chairman and chief executive Michael Eisner, he sent shock waves through the entertainment industry, corporate boardrooms, theme parks, and living rooms around the world - everywhere Disney does business and its products are cherished.

Drawing on unprecedented access to both Eisner and Roy Disney, current and former Disney executives and board members, as well as thousands of pages of never-before-seen letters, memos, transcripts, and other documents, James B. Stewart gets to the bottom of mysteries that have enveloped Disney for years: What really caused the rupture with studio chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg, a man who once regarded Eisner as a father but who became his fiercest rival? How could Eisner have so misjudged Michael Ovitz, a man who was not only "the most powerful man in Hollywood" but also his friend, whom he appointed as Disney president and immediately wanted to fire? What caused the break between Eisner and Pixar chairman Steve Jobs, and why did Pixar abruptly abandon its partnership with Disney? Why did Eisner so mistrust Roy Disney that he assigned Disney company executives to spy on him? How did Eisner control the Disney board for so long, and what really happened in the fateful board meeting in September 2004, when Eisner played his last cards?

DisneyWar is an enthralling tale of one of America's most powerful media and entertainment companies, the people who control it, and those trying to overthrow them. It tells a story that - in its sudden twists, vivid, larger-than-life characters, and thrilling climax - might itself have been the subject of a Disney classic - except that it's all true.

©2005 James B. Stewart. All rights reserved. (P)2017 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Disney history

If your a Disney fan and you love disney history. Then this is a book for you.

If you like Disney behind the scenes you’ll love this

Great book at the troubled times at Disney. It was super engaging and i really enjoyed learning about the behind the scene drama!

Two thumbs up

Very well written and easy to get hooked on. The narrative non-fiction makes for a very entertaining listen. The title is very timely given all of the M&A activity in the media space currently.

Beautifully Detailed Dive In To Disney History

Although this book is not free of issue, namely the lack of direct sourcing for a good bit of the information, it is the best non-fiction historical account book I have ever read. DisneyWar is nearly unique in that it chronicles the events of Michael Eisner's tenure as CEO not only in astonishing detail but in an engaging and entertaining voice. Even though it is a veritable encyclopedia this time in Disney history it reads and engages like a fiction novel.

Stewart speaks to his readers as if he were telling a story to a friend, a quality in the writing that translates excellently in to audiobook forum. The immediacy felt in the writing is no doubt due to the intimate and immediate access Stewart had to the company and to Eisner while researching this book. The freeness with which Eisner seemed to speak to writers in the position Stewart was in allows DisneyWar to have an exact an impression of Eisner's mind and feelings as possible.


I first read this book as research for my senior thesis on Disney's 'Renaissance' period of animation. Eisner's arrival at the company being a direct trigger in the series of events that led to this period the book served as a very useful tool for the corporate side of events. If you have an interest in the Disney Renaissance or the Disney Company at large you will certainly find much to appreciate and enjoy within DisneyWar. There is also much to learn and appreciate if your interests lie more firmly in the worlds of business and corporate intrigue. Overall this is a fascinating and illuminating read that only gets more enthralling on repeat listens.

Incredibly interesting

A fascinating look at a pivotal time in Disney history. A must-read for fans of Disney, as well as those who want to understand the world of power-hungry corporate elite executives.

Enlightening and gripping all the way through the epilogue

James Stewart's works never disappoint. They are meticulously researched, rely on a wealth of quotes, and are somehow riveting despite the length. A must read.

Great!!!

Love the book. Please do the next chapter. Great way to stay on top of Disney. As a share holder it is sad to see that they let Eisner stay there so long.

Incredibly interesting and Juicy!

Really interesting listen. Author gives great detail on the rise and fall of Eisner. I highly recommend.

Great book

Author does an incredible job of telling a complicated story. I am sorry it ended on 2005 and didn’t continue on further in the Disney Drama. drama.

Story is compelling...

Stewart takes us on an interesting journey behind the facade we all know as Disney and we gain some insight how dysfunctional at times it became. Egos and personalities cause a lot of anguish for some very talented people and Eisner is at the heart of this culture.....