Waking Walt [Paperback]

Larry Pontius (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 3, 2002

WAKING WALT is a spellbinding take on one of Americas most enduring urban legends. Could it be true; Walt Disney was never cremated and buried at Forest Lawn as the official story goes? Imagine that, for nearly 40 years, the great entertainment genius has been in cryonic suspension, waiting to return when a cure for his lung cancer is found. Now, an experimental drug being tested looks like the answer. The waiting is almost over. Then, disaster strikes! In a déjà vu nightmare for The Disney Company, a ruthless corporate raider launches a takeover attempt, planning to sell off the companys assets to the highest bidders. And this time there are no white knights in Disneys corner.But the Circle is still there, the small group of confidants who helped Walt escape death and who have been guarding him and his secret ever since. Even though theyre all old men now, theyre not about to let Walts company be torn apart without a fight. And they know just who can lead them. However, as they scurry to wake him, the Circle discovers there are powerful forces that want the dead to stay dead. But they dont know Walt Disney!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A former Disney marketing executive, Larry Pontius is the author of two books of poetry and lyricist of over 100 published songs. At work on his second novel, he lives in Florida with his wife and children and a large, orange dog named Samson.

Product Details

• Paperback: 440 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (December 3, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 059525425X
• ISBN-13: 978-0595254255
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,633,224 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A former advertising agency executive and vice president of marketing for the Disneyland and Walt Disney World, I'm now retired, living in Florida, and spending my time writing.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Waking Walt - Good Stuff!!!!!!, February 2, 2003

By 

Ian J. Mitchell "Smarter Than You" (Colmar, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Waking Walt (Paperback)

What if the urban legend about Walt Disney being frozen were true? That's the premise of Larry Pontius' book, Waking Walt.

Waking Walt takes us inside "The Circle", a small group of close friends that Walt Disney entrusted with the most important job of his life ... literally! And when The Walt Disney Company is threatened with being taken over and broken up by a ruthless corporate raider, the Circle knows it is time to act.

I found this book a VERY entertaining read. Pontius, a retired Disney marketing executive, does a great job creating an honest representation of Walt, eschewing the easy way out and not giving us a watered down "Uncle Walt" type character. Rather he portrays Walt with all of his rough edges still intact.

The story is just the tiniest bit contrived, but it's really fun and if you take it for what it is (don't go in expecting Shakespeare ) you should really enjoy it. This is Pontius' first effort at a novel, so the writing is just a bit amateurish, but it never gets in the way of the story at all.

If you're a Disney and and you're look for a light, entertaining read I highly recommend you pick this one up!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Suspense to the very end!!, August 25, 2003

By 

Christine Louise Hohlbaum "award-winning auth... (near Munich, Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Waking Walt (Paperback)

Suspense novelist Larry Pontius provides his readers with a thrilling display of good versus evil with a complex cast of characters to match. His exceptional ability to develop his characters into believable figures makes the novel even better. Pontius makes the words fly across the pages of this lengthy book. I literally couldn't (amd much to my husband's dismay, wouldn't) put it down until the very end. I still have goosebumps from the last scene of the book. A fantastic read for all ages! I highly recommend Waking Walt.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magic and Mystery, January 28, 2003

By 

Sandy Hardin (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Waking Walt (Paperback)

Waking Walt is a captivating tale of conspiracy, magic, and intrigue. If you are a Disney fan, you will especially revel in the fantasy of Walt's original energy and inspiration that created the "Disney Worlds" of today. Even if you are not a fan, you will be caught up in the endless possibilities of the reoccurring world of fantasy and mystery. Planning a trip to Florida or California to see one of the Disney extravaganzas? -- perhaps spring break vacation -- be sure to take a copy of this book for leisure time reading. It will only enhance your world of magic -- what a trip!