The book is available in multiple formats, including paperback and hardcover, from retailers such as Target and Barnes & Noble.
: The book argues that Walt embodied a uniquely American trajectory: born in Chicago, raised on a Missouri farm, and achieving global success in California through sheer drive and ambition.
: Beyond the public "Uncle Walt" persona, Gabler reveals a wounded, often lonely man who suffered from financial instability for most of his life and faced accusations ranging from being a red-baiter to an anti-Semite. Critical Reception
: A recurring theme is Walt's "relentless control" over his environments—from the meticulously crafted animation cells to the engineered perfection of Disneyland, which he viewed as a way to physically manifest his dreams.
: Critics appreciate that Gabler neither "condemns nor canonizes" Disney, instead presenting a balanced view of him as both a "genius and monster".
: Reviewers from The Washington Post and The Best Biographies praise the "astonishing" depth of research but warn that the dense sections on financial contracts and business minutiae can be tedious for casual readers.
: Available at sites like Thriftbooks.com for ~~~$10.00~~~ or Walmart - Alibris Books for ~~~$8.03~~~.