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

by Joe Flower

Book Overview

Tells the story of how CEO Michael Eisner took over the ailing Disney Company and turned it into one of the most profitable corporations in the country. From the drama of Wall Street to the glamour of Hollywood, the author provides an absorbing account of Eisner's wheelings and dealings--including the signing of such major stars as Michael Jackson and Bette Midler--making Disney the number one movie studio in Hollywood.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471524654
• ISBN13: 9780471524656
• Release Date: September 1991
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
• Length: 309 Pages
• Weight: 1.36 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

I liked it but there was too much business talk.

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!

A fun summary of how the Disney empire moved into the 90's.

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