Customer Reviews

Walt Disney's Imagineering Legends and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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I have always been a huge Disneyland fan, but only begun delving into the history for the past 2 years, so I would consider myself somewhat of a newbie amongst the die-hards. This book's strength is its encyclopedic all-in-one format (although as Lannie's excellent review points out, there are a few glaring omissions such as Alice Davis), the wonderful photos/illustrations (many are new to me, with a few familiar ones), and the excellent design that is featured throughout. Each chapter features a different skill/talent for the Imagineers, such as:

*The Prototype Imagineers (Harper Goff, Ken Anderson, Herbert Ryman, and Sam McKim)

*The Executive Suite (Richard F. Irvine & Bill Cottrell)

*The Model Shop (Fred Joerger, Harriet Burns, and Wathel Rogers), and many more.

The common thread throughout the book is obviously Walt himself; his talent for putting all of these geniuses together and challenging them to do things they'd never attempted before created the magic that is now Disneyland and WDW. Walt fostered the creative and "can-do" environment that allowed The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, it's a small world, and the Jungle Cruise to become the beloved attractions that every guest rushes to experience over and over again. To quote Tony Baxter from the book: "I found it interesting to see that when Walt was alive he was able to pull everyone together, and I think that was his great talent: to be able to get everyone to work together in harmony." This quote is in the section of Claude Coats, and refers to the fact that Marc Davis (characters) and Claude Coats (the environment/background) created magic together on Pirates of the Caribbean, even they didn't necessarily get along with each other. Walt put them together and 40 years later, it is still one of the favorite attractions at the parks.

Another issue addressed in the book is how Disney is often bashed for idealizing and whitewashing history, leading to the negative term "Disneyfied." In the section on John Hench, he is quoted as saying "There's order about it, and there're some other kinds of things about it that speak to [the visitors] and where they live. It is reassurance. And it's beyond something that they have to rationalize or think about intellectually. They can just feel this." In the footnote section, another source is quoted as saying "In Manhattan, where the clarion against Disneyfication has recently been sounded, one wonders at the precise cause for alarm. Fears of lost authenticity sound hollow in a city where themed restaurants...have existed since the turn of the century and a favorite museum is a reconstruction of a twelfth-century Spanish cloister."

Each Imagineer is given approximately 2-3 pages; I enjoyed reading not only about what they did for Disney, but learning their background and early information. Blaine Gibson initially refused the invitation to join WED and leave animation, as he felt more than satisfied having sculpting just be a hobby. Once Gibson learned that the job offer was a personal invite from Walt, he changed his mind. It was also nice to note the lack of egos and mutual admiration that the Imagineers have for each other (most attractions were the work of multiple Imagineers, not just one, so it was refreshing that there was no "jockeying for credit." It is somewhat sad to note that many of these legends have passed away (Harriet Burns just recently), but great to know that their work lives on through quality publications such as this one.

I would highly recommend this book as a great addition to your Disney Library.

In my work I'm at Walt Disney World every week, and the more I research it the more impressed I am. It is a place of boundless imagination. After Walt Disney's original vision, the bulk of the creative work has been in the capable hands of the Disney Imagineers. This book profiles 30 of these Disney artists and engineers.

Although you could argue about the list (I'd love to see Mary Blair, but I guess her role wasn't really as an Imagineer) you can't argue with the depth of the research. Within each profile, Kurtti has gathered not only anecdotes, reminiscences and quotes, but also photos and sketches. The best photographs show the Imagineers at work, painting and sculpting and model-making. The conceptual art is the most fun; you can see Bill Martin's conceptual layout for the Peter Pan attraction in Disneyland, and Rolly Crump's concept sketch for the Enchanted Tiki Room.

I do wish more current Imagineers were included, especially the visionary Joe Rohde, the chief architect of Disney's Animal Kingdom. But then again he's not a Legend. Maybe in a sequel, Jeff?

The design of the book is a little loose for my taste, with some clunky typeface choices and layout. Several of the photos are not rectangles, but rather circles or other shapes, and many are reproduced too dark, at least in my copy. But overall the book is an excellent resource -- and makes for fascinating reading -- for any Disney fan.

Jeff Kurtti is also the author of SINCE THE WORLD BEGAN: WALT DISNEY WORLD: THE FIRST 25 YEARS.

Here's the chapter list:
Foreword: Growing Up With Imagineering, by Martin A. Sklar
What is Walt Disney Imagineering?
The First Imagineer: Walt Disney
1. The Prototype Imagineers
* Harper Goff
* Ken Anderson
* Herbert Ryman
* Sam McKim
2. The Executive Suite
* Richard F. Irvine
* Bill Cottrell
3. The Place Makers
* Marvin Davis
* Bill Martin
4. The Story Department
* Marc Davis
* Claude Coats
5. Masters of Mixed Media
* Morgan "Bill" Evans
* Roland "Rolly" Crump
* Yale Gracey
* Blaine Gibson
6. The Model Shop
* Fred Joerger
* Harriet Burns
* Wathel Rogers
7. The Machine Shop
* Roger Broggie
* Bob Gurr
8. The Music Makers
* Richard M. & Robert B. Sherman
* Buddy Baker
* George Bruns
* X Atencio
9. The Unofficial Imagineers
* Ub Iwerks
* Bill Walsh
* James Algar
* Ward Kimball
10. The Renaissance Imagineer
* John Hench

This book is an excellent reference book for the true fan of the early days of Walt Disney's Imagineering and the people who most influenced the way the Disney Theme Parks are so different from any other. Lots of early pictures and stories. Highly recommended for the true Disney Theme Park fan.

I collect Disney theme park books and this is a must have for anyone else with such a collection. It's a referrence book also for [...], with Disneyland historical facts.

Jeff Kurtti has once again created an amazing Walt Disney Imagineering book!! I got this book as a gift along with Designing Disney by John Hench (also AMAZING!!) and couldn't put it down! Highly recommended!!!!!!

If you love Disney and are interested in the history of Imagineering this is the book for you. Lots of great pictures and information from those who built the magic.

Another excellent book from Jeff Kurtti and the late but very awesome Bruce Gordon. Lots of great information on little known Disney Imagineers, beautiful page layouts and wonderful rare photographs. I highly recommend this book.

My only issue, which would have resulted it 5 stars instead of 4. Where are Alice Davis, Mary Blair and Leota Toombs? While it's great to read about the legendary Harriet Burns, I was disappointed that she was the only woman represented. Certainly Alice and Mary contributed so much to the classic Disney attractions, and why a picture with Leota Toombs but no information on her? Maybe a follow-up book is in order?

In any case, thanks for finally releasing the Imagineering Legends book. I have to say it is definitely worth the 2 & 1/2 year wait!

This book details of the lives and contributions of the key Imagineers in the Disney Empire.
What I liked :
Trivia and information on the creation of the theme parks and the contributions of the imagineers.
The reflections and perceptions on Walt Disney himself, through the eyes of the the imagineers.
The various photographs in the book ( many I have not seen before).

What I didnt like:
I wasnt particularly interested on the early lives of the imagineers (bios that included things like birthplaces, family etc)preferred when the information focused more on the contributions and role within the company.

Msny of the Imagineers have since died, which was a little sad, but all in all this is an excellent addition to any disney collectors library!

This has been an eagerly anticipated book in the Disney community. Since their inception with the creation of Disneyland, the Imagineers have always been the architects and dreamers of Walt's visions. Many of the names that you read about in the book will be familiar to Disney enthusiasts; as the name of the book implies, these are the legends of Disney Imagineering.

Jeff Kurtti is a well-known and much-admired name in the Disney community. He has written many seminal works on the history of the theme parks, animated films, characters and theater. Since The World Began is one of his more treasured books. Jeff is also known for his work on several award-winning documentaries and as a consultant for film and theater. Currently, he is working with the Walt Disney Family Museum. The late Bruce Gordon served as editor on the project and his talents are seen throughout the book through the layout and design. Bruce was the author of The Nickel Tour, Walt's Time and The Art of Disneyland (with Jeff).

In an interview with Didier Ghez, Jeff talks about the motivation behind the book:

The inspiration for Walt Disney's Imagineering Legends was John Canemaker's Walt Disney's Nine Old Men. I say inspiration, since my book comes nowhere near the depth and erudition of John's great work, but the inspiration was to create a work that would familiarize people with the core team of creative people within the initial development of Disneyland.

The animation group, as a rule, is more familiar to people, and the Imagineering group is less well-known, the history of how they came together is much less documented. It's very important for new generations of fans to get a proper introduction to this information, it's important for the Company to preserve a record that illuminates and contextualizes key periods of its history.
--(...)

I am not sure I could have said it better myself. In looking at a group as large and nebulous as the Imagineers, it is obvious that any work on them could not be inclusive. Many people have iterated their complaints about the lack of certain key members, but that is to be expected. Jeff has already stated that he hopes to create a second volume.

Imagineering Legends is able to meld several key ideas into one book: an introduction to 30 of the most famous and key Imagineers; an insightful look into the creation of the theme parks; and a journey through a history of Imagineering. There has not been another work published on this scale or within the same pages. Each of the Imagineers chronicled is presented within their holistic context. The classifications are well-reflected and well-thought. Jeff bestows the following categories: the Prototype Imagineers; the Place Makers; the Story Department; the Model Shop; the Machine Shop; the Music Makers and the Unofficial Imagineers. Special places are reserved for Walt Disney and John Hench.

Most of this information can be found in other sources, such as The E-Ticket, Walt Disney Imagineering, The Art of Disneyland, Disneyland: The First Quarter Century, The Nickel Tour and Disneyland: Inside Story. But Imagineering Legends is the only place you will find all of this information. That is the true brilliance of the book. Jeff presents a seamless and well-organized view into the Imagineers and the creation of Disney theme parks.

Bruce Gordon did an amazing job with the layout of Imagineering Legends. There are new photographs and concept art throughout the book. The layout is very contemporary and very appealing; you never feel lost in columns of text (although, Jeff is a great writer). My only issue with the layout is that some of the artwork and photographs are spread across two pages. Sometimes, it is difficult to get a good view of the artwork.

Bottom Line: This work is for everyone. Jeff has created a book that lays a solid foundation of knowledge for Disney enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you are new to the Imagineers or a seasoned researcher, this compilation solidly portrays Imagineering and their importance within the Disney Company. This book will be within constant reach on my bookshelf for many years. It will also be an essential addition to every enthusiast's library. Future Disney researchers will be thanking Jeff for years to come. You need to own this book.

I collect many Disney books and I particularly love the Imagineering books. This is mostly a history book with rich anecdotes and narrative. I recommend purchasing this title with the other two main Imagineering titles. This title is highly recommended.