Ranging from the playful; to the fact-filled; and to the thoughtful; this collection tracks the fortunes of Walt Disneyrsquo;s flagship character. From the first full-fledged review of his screen debut in November 1928 to the present day; Mickey Mouse has won millions of fans and charmed even the harshest of critics. Almost half of the eighty-one texts in A Mickey Mouse Reader document the Mousersquo;s rise to glory from that first cartoon; Steamboat Willie; through his seventh year when his first color animation; The Band Concert; was released. They include two important early critiques; one by the American culture critic Gilbert Seldes and one by the famed English novelist E. M. Forster.Articles and essays chronicle the continued rise of Mickey Mouse to the rank of true icon. He remains arguably the most vivid graphic expression to date of key traits of the American charactermdash;pluck; cheerfulness; innocence; energy; and fidelity to family and friends. Among press reports in the book is one from June 1944 that puts to rest the urban legend that ldquo;Mickey Mouserdquo; was a password or code word on D-Day. It was; however; the password for a major pre-invasion briefing.Other items illuminate the origins of ldquo;Mickey Mouserdquo; as a term for things deemed petty or unsophisticated. One piece explains how Walt and brother Roy Disney; almost single-handedly; invented the strategy of corporate synergy by tagging sales of Mickey Mouse toys and goods to the release of Mickeyrsquo;s latest cartoons shorts. In two especially interesting essays; Maurice Sendak and John Updike look back over the years and give their personal reflections on the character they loved as boys growing up in the 1930s.
#851861 in eBooks 2014-10-23 2014-10-23File Name: B00O846Q02
Review
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. The best you can get if you want to know how ...By Kindle CustomerThe best you can get if you want to know how so much amazing music operates. I had Dr. Green for counterpoint at UT: One thing he taught us was to never let mechanics and technique overshadow beauty. By understanding how something is constructed we get a deeper sense of the awe and mysery. I could go on but Ill spare you! Great author-great book.0 of 2 people found the following review helpful. served its purpose as a textbookBy Arya StarkFor a complex subject in music; the textbook served its purpose.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I like how this book is organized and I like one ...By Serge.V.VThere are quite a few books of the concurrent authors on the same subject of the Modal counterpoin on the market today. While all of them follow more or less the same plot each takes its own path through exploring the subject. I like how this book is organized and I like one other thing about it that I want to share with you: its an eye opener! I knew some musical terms and techniques for years before reading this book but I never fully understood their meaning (and took them for granted). This book gives lots of explanations of the complex and not so subjects that you maybe even dont expect to be in it. I now have deep respect for the authors talent to explain the taught material and his ability to make the book strictly structured and entertaining at the same time. A well rounded work!
