The Cultural Legacy of Disney: A Century of Magic

This book is a grand vision of the present and future of Disney, covering a wide range of research areas that serve as an effective primer not only for where Disney Studies are presently, but where they might be going next. The chapters do excellent work locating the connections between different historical moments – Hester’s discussion of Boy Bands and Jim Crow, Zhuang’s locating the early translations of Disney, Martin’s framing of generational fandom – that speaks to the growing strength of Disney Studies. There is a clear sense of personal engagement in these articles that foreground lived experience, with Erin Pritchard’s chapter being of particular importance in the larger conversations of the intersections of disability, representation, and Disney. This is a timely, well-researched, thoughtful consideration that points to the many futures of Disney Studies – this would be an excellent textbook for a Disney-centric course, providing a variety of disciplinary approaches to the question of Disney.

"A timely celebration of all things Disney from the last one hundred years, The Cultural Legacy of Disney is a new and exciting title to explore the diversity of work coming out on the Walt Disney Company today. The book tackles everything from images of Mickey in China to Disney fashion and fandom, and shows a field of study very much alive, exciting and interdisciplinary. The book covers a range of important themes including corporate strategy, stereotypes and representation, and global engagement. The editorial team of Muir, Rowe, Helm and Aguilo-Perez do an excellent job of bringing together the very latest research into the world’s leading multimedia organization, and of showing how and why we still love the Mouse in the 21st century. The book is a delight for all to read, and an excellent introduction to the field of Disney Studies."

"This exciting new collection, shepherded by some of the leading scholars in Disney studies, provides a kaleidoscopic view of the field today. With chapters on the company’s investments across media, technologies, franchises, The Cultural Legacy of Disney testifies to the intellectual vibrancy of Disney scholarship--and the need to examine and analyze the company from a variety of disciplines and critical approaches. It makes an important contribution to this rich area of inquiry."