Camp

By Michael D. Eisner

Book Overview

A rousing coming-of-age story from Disney CEO Michael Eisner about his time in camp and the indispensable lessons he learned there that continue to influence him.

Over the years, as a camper and a counselor, Disney CEO Michael Eisner absorbed the life lessons that come from sitting in the stern of a canoe or meeting around a campfire at night. With anecdotes from his time spent at Keewaydin and stories from his life in the upper echelons of American business that illustrate the camp's continued influence, Eisner creates a touching and insightful portrait of his own coming-of-age, as well as a resounding declaration of summer camp as an invaluable national institution.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446533696
• ISBN13: 9780446533690
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.7" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Camp reading

This book provided insights about others' camping experiences. Thus I could compare it with my own camping experiences (mostly at BSA camps). It takes alot of courage to handle the rigors of camping, in my opinion.

Just like Beaverbrook

Eisner's book is a wonderful reflection of his experiences over many summers at a prominent northeastern "sleepaway camp." Being a northern Californian, I was not exposed to this particular genre of camp experience, but my brothers and I were fortunate to attend a wonderfully similar enclave three hours north of us called Camp Beaverbrook, which featured most of the same experiences (save for the wonderful natural lakes) that Mr. Eisner recounts. Our camp directors, "Amee and Niha" (Bob and Marion Brown from Orinda, California) built the place by hand and created a wonderful place for young people ("Beaverbods," we called them) to grow up and learn to live with others. Mrs. Brown even wrote her own reflective book called "Past Tents," which is unfortunately out of print. If you enjoyed Mr. Eisner's book, you should also see the movie "Indian Summer," which never ceases to bring a tear to my eyes.

Camp Camp

I went to camp too. Camp Hawthorne in Raymond, Maine. This book is the best and a worthwhile read for any parent with a kid at camp or any parent considering sending their kid to camp. It's likely even better for kids like me who went to camp because no matter what experience Eisner describes, the same memories come rushing back in all their fun and splendor. One of my camp friends always used to say he was going to write a book about camp called "Camp Camp." (A generic book he had in mind.) He always said no one would believe what great fun and experiences we had. He never wrote the book but I am extremely happy that Michael Eisner has. It is no samll wonder he has been so successful (say what you might about his last few difficult years - those years were difficult for anyone in business.) He actually came through them in good shape and there's a reason he did. Nothing is as tough as that first canoe trip that you lead. If you forget any one of a number of items it can turn three days into ten. Kudos to Eisner for writing about camp in all its splendor, honoring those who gave kids like us the time of our lives, and carrying on the tradition through generosity usually reserved for only the finest of America's institutions. He's got his heart and him money in the right place!

Inspiring Story

Fascinating read on his family and their commitment to helping the less advantaged. CAMP is an inspiring story on life-long friendships and values that were formed during the summers at an incredible camp in Vermont. This in an inspiring look into the life of one of the most powerful men in Hollywood! I was impressed that all of the proceeds from the book will provide scholarships to send underserved children to Camp Keewaydin!

Great Book

Author Michael Eisner shows the significant role that camp has played from his early development all the way to his experiences at Disney. Eisner tells of the lessons he learned at camp and the importance it had on his life. Good book.