Review: Remembering Walt: Favorite Memories of Walt Disney
Page 1 of 2
Remembering Walt: Favorite
Memories of Walt Disney
Amy Boothe Green, Howard E. Green
Hyperion; Retail: $29.95
Buy it at The LaguhingPlace Store
Rating: 4 out of 4
If you have a love of Disney, like I do, then you know that people are always questioning you for the reasons behind what they see as your weird, if not unhealthy, obsession. How can you go to Disneyland every weekend? Don't you get bored? Why do you own every animated feature? Won't you ever grow up?
I have finally found a book that will put all those questions to rest. Remembering Walt: Favorite Memories of Walt Disney, by Amy Boothe Green and Howard E. Green, accurately sums up my feelings about Walt Disney and why he means so much to me. And the best part is, the material presents his life and works in such a balanced manner that even non-Disney lovers can enjoy and understand it. If people question my devotion again, I'll just tell them to read this book.
The book itself is mostly attributed quotes about Walt. People from all walks of Walt's life tell their stories and remembrances. Topics include: Walt's childhood, his love of trains, his death, and his life philosophy. Each different grouping has a brief, but useful, introduction to provide historical placement for the quotes that follow.
| I look upon Walt as a
conductor of the world's greatest symphonies, and I was part of the orchestra Herb Ryman (artist) |
I particularly liked how many of the quotes would contradict each other. It really showed how Walt appeared different to everybody. You get the feeling that people saw in Walt what they wanted to see. Perhaps, he was really a simple man who only wanted one thing--the best out of everybody, including himself.
A small critique is that some of the quotes have been heard or read multiple times before. I don't know if I can fault the editors for this or if it is the result of the same people always telling the same stories. I read a few quotes that were similar to those from interviews I have conducted. I can attest to how difficult it is to get unique material.
In addition to all the wonderful quotes, Remembering Walt is full of great pictures from Walt's life, many of which I've never seen before. My favorite photo is of a young Walt standing next to a walk-around Mickey Mouse. Unless you work backstage, you've never seen this before, the walk around is holding Mickey's head under his arm. A headless Mickey, something I never thought I'd see.