The Best Walt Disney Biography

This is the first major Walt Disney biography, written (with the cooperation of the Disney family) in the early '70s.

This recent, thick book (912 pages!) is considered the best and most meticulously-researched biography of Walt Disney.

This book (the first "unauthorized" Walt biography) is a little different from the others, in that it emphasizes Walt's "dark" side, with stories about him being an FBI informant (really!), Walt's rumored impotence on his wedding night, his supposed selfishness with credit for work, and so forth. I wouldn't call this book "fair and balanced," but it's definitely a captivating read.

I like this book because the author draws upon his own extensive interviews — shortly after Walt passed away, Barrier interviewed over 150 people who worked with him, and compiled his research into this comprehensive biography.

This book, released in 2002, is apparently riddled with errors and half-truths about Walt Disney. Sounds like an interesting read to me!

This is a lovely concept for a book— nothing but stories and quotes from the people that knew Walt.