The Enemy Infiltrates The Magic Kingdom

• Date: 02.12.2007
• Book: Disney War
• Author: Caractacus

Review

In the early nineties, Disney had their first renaissance with a string of hits from The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King. And then? What happened?

James Stewarts Disney War is a fascinating read into how the Magic Kingdom nearly collapsed. A story of a war between Michael Eisner, the CEO of Disney and Roy Disney Jr, Walt's nephew.

Eisner had been CEO since 1984, he practically picked Disney off the floor where it had been since Walt's death and reinvigorated it. Disney diversified into video and theme parks and reinvented their films to become musicals.

Eisner did it all. He looked at his kingdom and he saw that it was good.

But then Eisner began to surround himself with yes men. He made disastrous decisions and when he was told so by other executives he would not believe them, distrusted them, alienated them. Talents left by the score. Roy had to wrestle back control of his uncles company to save it from the disastrous road it was headed down.

Stewart happened to be there to write a book on Eisner. Instead he got the inside scoop on the Disney War. Absolutely riveting, this will bring you the inside facts on Disney's boardroom. Stewart is clear and concise and open with everything, reporting just as he finds it. As all war stories go, this is truly a gripping read.