Prince of the Magic Kingdom: Michael Eisner and the Re-Making of Disney [Hardcover]

Joe Flower (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1991

The inside story of one of America's most creative CEOs and how he brought Disney back from the brink. From the glitz of Hollywood to the power brokers of Wall Street, Prince of the Magic Kingdom chronicles the dramatic turnaround of the Disney corporation. 15 photographs.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Walter Elias Disney, perceived as a "talented hick" when he first arrived in Hollywood in 1923, ran the studio he founded as a "usually benevolent dictator." After his death in 1956, the company took on a more consciously corporate style, and by 1984, writes Flower, had lost its direction and was being stalked by raiders. In an unexpected move, the corporation appointed as CEO Michael Eisner, a "story man" who had risen through the creative ranks, not the business side, to become a top exec at Paramount. Eisner brought the desired "kiss of craziness " to the helm of Disney, turning the dormant giant around and leading it into seven years of phenomenal growth. Flower, coauthor of Age Wave , unwinds a riveting narrrative about a company that rususcitated itself by courting creativity and risk. He also probes the tension between Disney's legacy of "wholesomeness" and the strong-arm management techniques that abetted its expansion. Photos.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

In this year's second book on the Disney Company's turnaround (following Ron Grover's The Disney Touch , LJ 4/1/91), Flower focuses on CEO Michael Eisner's command over Disney's resurgence. He sketches Eisner's formative years at ABC-TV and his wonder-working at Paramount Studios prior to his taking the helm of a demoralized Disney after a brutal takeover attempt. Flower also shows how Eisner revitalized the company's creative departments and retooled a somnolent movie mill into more of a "repertory company." At the same time, Eisner drew on the management principles of Scrooge McDuck in controlling costs, leading to some unhappy relations with Disney's unions. This version of the Disney tale is well worth acquiring on its own or to complement Grover for a complete picture of the rejuvenation of a company with a special place in the hearts of several generations. Recommended for all business collections.
- Michael Stevenson, Har vard Business Sch. Lib.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (September 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471524654
• ISBN-13: 978-0471524656
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,965,065 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun summary of how the Disney empire moved into the 90's., January 19, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Prince of the Magic Kingdom: Michael Eisner and the Re-Making of Disney (Hardcover)

A very interesting and entertaining perspective of how the Disney company made its transition into the 90's after having spent almost 15 years trying to recover from, and find it's way after, the loss of both Walt and Roy Disney. This book picks up where others leave off, several years after Walt Disney's death. Subjects include: changes and personalities involved in the struggle to carry the company with only Roy Disney Sr. to lead it; The search for new management in the wake of a terrible downturn in success; The struggle for directive and creative control in the company that almost resulted in all immediate Disney family members leaving the company; Several attempted leveraged buyouts; and the search for the new CEO that would save the Disney dynasty. All of which resulted in the selection of Michael Eisner as the new leader at Disney. The second half of the book takes the reader on an enjoyable romp as Eisner and his new team "brush the dust off" many of Disney's hidden treasures, re-releasing tens of Disney classics in theatres and onto video. The story also tells of how Eisner and his team add their own mix of movie, TV, music and animation creations to move Disney into the 90's. This is a great read for anyone interested in the world of the Disney empire, although I recommend reading at least one other book that focuses in the earlier Disney years for a better taste of just how things did change

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I liked it but there was too much business talk., February 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Prince of the Magic Kingdom: Michael Eisner and the Re-Making of Disney (Hardcover)

There were alot of interesting facts about Disney and how it was given new life by Eisner and his team. However, this book spent too much time talking about the business deals of the Walt Disney Company. The author should have spent more time on what was done rather than how it was done. I hope the author considers writing a revision of this book so that it will be more up-to-date. Anyway, it was alot of fun to read, so thumbs up!