DisneyWar Audiobook (Free)

The dramatic inside story of the downfall of Michael Eisner—Disney Chairman and CEO—as well as the scandals that drove America’s best-known entertainment company to civil war.

“When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Whistle While You Work,” “The Happiest Place on Earth”—these are lyrics indelibly associated with Disney, perhaps one of the most admired and best-known companies in the world. Therefore when Roy Disney, chairman of Walt Disney Animation and nephew of creator Walt Disney, abruptly resigned in November 2003 and declared about DisneyWar war on chairman and chief executive Michael Eisner, he delivered shock waves through the entertainment industry, corporate and business boardrooms, theme parks, and living spaces around the world—almost everywhere Disney will business and its own products are cherished.

Sketching on unprecedented access to both Eisner and Roy Disney, current and previous Disney professionals and board members, as well as thousands of webpages of never-before-seen letters, memos, transcripts, and additional documents, Adam B. Stewart reaches underneath of mysteries which have enveloped Disney for a long time: What actually triggered the rupture with studio chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg, a man who once regarded Eisner being a father but who became his fiercest rival? How could Eisner have therefore misjudged Michael Ovitz, a man who was not only “the most powerful guy in Hollywood” but also his friend, whom he appointed as Disney chief executive and immediately wanted to fire? What caused the break between Eisner and Pixar chairman Steve Jobs, and why did Pixar abruptly abandon its relationship with Disney? Why did Eisner so mistrust Roy Disney that he assigned Disney company professionals to spy on him? How do Eisner control the Disney panel for so long, and what actually happened in the fateful panel meeting in September 2004, when Eisner performed his last cards?

DisneyWar can be an enthralling tale of one of America’s most powerful press and entertainment businesses, the individuals who control it, and those seeking to overthrow them. It tells a story that—in its unexpected twists, vibrant, larger-than-life people, and fascinating climax—might itself have been the subject of a Disney classic—except that it’s all true.