The Nastiest Disney War

So a little vacation reading did include Disney War by Pulitzer Prize winning author James B. Stewart. It's a lengthy, in-depth, and eye opening report of the ascent of Michael Eisner and Frank Wells to the thrones of the Walt Disney Company- and then Michael's fall from grace with investors and insiders. I'd read both Eisner and Iger's books before picking up Disney War. In contrast to this one, Michael and Robert's accounts of their own stories come off as pure propaganda.

While I always deemed Eisner great for the theme parks and animated movies in his first decade, it was easy to see his success wasn't lasting for his second one. Lousy animated films, second rate direct to video movies, half baked parks such as California Adventure and Walt Disney Studios Paris, and poor quality television shows tarnished the Disney brand- all making the way for Eisner to be pushed out. (If like me, you're looking for a book rich with stories about the development of theme parks, attractions, and the battles and strategies behind them, this is not the book for you. There's a handful but nothing you can't find elsewhere.)

As hard as Stewart tries, he cannot help but come to some conclusions that remove the pixie dust from those readers wanting to stay happily in the Disney bubble of fantasy. Behind the scenes, Eisner's poor relationship skills with those he worked with and other non-Disney executives come to light- particularly Pixar's Steve Jobs. Eisner comes across as arrogant, narcissistic, backstabbing, paranoid, and unwilling to consider the input of others. He's certainly creative, but he's a man who lacks integrity and is dishonest as can be. Disappointing.

Although Robert Iger comes off as rather stiff creatively during these years, he is viewed as rather honest and likable overall. Certainly not  bad qualities to be viewed as poccessing in that fast paced cut throat world. Is that still him? I'm not sure. The quick switch of roles with Bob Chapek pre-COVID changing life in the States makes me think years at Disney changed him for the worse. I'd love to be proven wrong. Perhaps the story will be told in a Disney Wars sequel. And Stewart would be just the man to write it.