Work in Progress: Risking Failure, Surviving Success

by Michael D. Eisner, Tony Schwartz

In 1964, NBC clerk Michael Eisner made $65 a week. Though he only took one business course in his life--accounting--he did have a head for as CEO of Disney, he earned over half a billion bucks in 1997. Though he had no foundation in finance, he averted the bloody dismemberment of Disney by takeover sharks when he took over in 1984, and by May 1998 he earned over $80 billion for Disney stockholders. Not bad for a guy who, on his first day in Walt's old office, met a manager of the film division BVD (Buena Vista Distribution) and innocently asked whether "Disney made underwear."In his memoir, Eisner doesn't air quite as much dirty laundry as we could hope he'd be dopey enough to do. Still, it is revealing, and since it's unheard-of for Hollywood potentates to spill any beans at all, this book is required reading for anyone interested in America's major export, popular culture.We learn a fair bit of personal the crucial impact of Eisner's sternly withholding father, who drove Michael to succeed and made him less than effusive himself in praising underlings; his favorite book in youth (The Catcher in the Rye); his encounters with more madcap Hollywood types; his brush with death from heart disease; the day he got the idea for Beverly Hills Cop by getting physically roughed up by a Beverly Hills cop; his plan to add the naughtier cartoon character Mortimer Mouse to Mickey's family.Eisner gives us his negotiating secret (be willing to walk), his view of prerelease audience testing of shows ("it's almost worthless"),his management strategy (incite raucous debate within strict institutional checks and balances, then make gut decisions), the key to success in movies and TV (strong two-man Lew Wasserman and Sid Sheinberg at Universal, Bob Daly and Terry Semel at Warner Bros., and preeminently Eisner and Frank Wells at Disney). Eisner gives a provocative analysis ofwhy Jeffrey Katzenberg and Michael Ovitz proved disastrous partners for him at Disney, and even confesses to a few screwups of his own (losing his temper and helping to blow the Disney America historical park development). --Tim Appelo

Genres: Business, Biography, Nonfiction, Autobiography, Memoir, Leadership, Biography Memoir

464 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Retired Chair and CEO of Walt Disney: Former President, Paramount Pictures Corp: Former Head of West Coast, ABC Television Network

Reviews

[Nathan Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eisner has an interesting life story, but this book could have easily been half as long as it is.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

To read this book in 2020 is a unique experience, given that we know all about the successes and failures that Disney has endured since the book was published. Reading about Eisner's prediction that the internet will change the television and film industries, though proving he was right, can be laborious at times.

That said, there is some juicy stuff here. His relationship with Jeffrey Katzenberg is described at detail...even if with a fair level of bias. Being a child of the 90s myself, I was very interested in Michael's conversations about the Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and other touchstones of my youth. That said... the biography of the late Steve Jobs spoke at length about the relationship between Jobs and Eisner and their collaborate effort to produce Toy Story. I would have loved to have heard some of Eisner's take on the same story.

I read Eisner's autobiography as a third installment in a series of books about the Walt Disney empire. Previously I read "Disney's Land" and "Walt Disney: An American Original." Both of those were true biographies, written through the eyes of others. It's hard to compare Eisner's book to those - he certainly had different motivations in writing it, but his book is less "fun" in comparison. I recommend it to those that are a) interested in thoughts of corporate leadership, theres lots of small nuggets of wisdom along the way, b) uniquely interested in the inner workings of Disney's film/television business, or c) looking for some hard sought waves of 90s nostalgia.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting, but nothing I'll ever reread

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read on the amazing growth of Disney. Book was well written and enjoyable. Looking to read other books on the Disney Co and about to start Bob Iger’s book 😊

[Sarah Sharits · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was invested until my Kindle hit 50% (about the time that Frank passes) and then the story just kinda dragged on. A one time read for sure.

[Barry Bridges · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eisner's very own personal highlight reel. Don't go looking for any hints to Disney's success, any shared business acumen, or even any lessons from mistakes. The only thing you learn is Disney and Eisner are successful at telling stories and a good story has to have a beginning, a middle, and an end. He speaks of reworking the second or third act, but gives no clues as to what the problems were, how they were handled, or what made the uncompelling story suddenly a compelling blockbuster. Still, I read, holding out to the end, hoping for insight. I think his wife was correct - executives should not write a mid-career memoir.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. If you are interested in this chapter of Disney's history then I recommend checking out the book Disney War by James B Stewart. It gives a "behind the scenes" look at all the events Eisner describes but arguably from a more unbiased perspective.

Work in Progress is a play-by-play of Eisner's work at Disney, up to 1998. He is cocky but that's probably what makes him a successful ceo. Don't read this book if you're looking for interesting anecdotes on the creative work of Disney. Instead, this book chronicles the business of Disney, from staff structure to acquisition deals.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book soon after it came out. While it was interesting to read about how Eisner came to be President and CEO of Disney, it was rather absurd the way he spent most of the time stroking his own ego. If you're looking for a good "story" this is a good book. If you're looking for business advice or an accurate description of what life was like inside Eisner's Disney empire I'd recommend looking elsewhere.

I guess that should be expected of an autobiography, though.

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting, even if you're not an Eisner fan, it covers a lot of the history in the entertainment industry and at Disney. It is a bit dated, and it's kind of funny to hear about their new ventures in Animal Kingdom and China. Also, it does have some dated business styles, which are still widely practiced today, but not in a social media world.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book about the trials and tribulations of Eisner's time at Disney. Yes..he is an egomaniac but he did some great things during his time at Disney. As a result, thousands of people owe him a "thank you" for his hard work and dedication.

Is this a GREAT business book..NO. Is it worth reading..YES..especially if you are a fan of the work he did at Disney.

[Mirah W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for a leadership class in grad school...I think the concepts Eisner includes are great for anyone wanting to be a better leader. I have too many points underlined in the book to even count...it serves as a reference book of sorts for me.

[Joe Thacker · Rating 3 out of 5]

What had really stuck with me is how Disney leverages assets so much better than anyone else and how this creates not only incredible profits but also a sustainable competitive advantage that still holds today. Not enough companies really understand leverage and how to benefit from it.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Eisner... some say saviour... others say not.

This autobiography gives his own version of his rise to head the Disney empire - filled with otherwise unknown facts.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. My main memories of Michael Eisner are of hosting the "Wonderful World of Disney" on Sunday nights.

[Amy Wolf · Rating 2 out of 5]

A self-serving hagiography. Really, everything in this book is utter B.S. -- trust me, I worked in Hollywood during Eisner's reign. Pass.

[Lori Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A should-read autobiograpy on leadership for knowledge workers, managers, directors, C-levels, and entrepreneurs.

[Philip Johnsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the stories of risk, failure and ultimate success. Too often we're afraid to try because we might fail. We need to realize that its a "work in progress"

[Manish Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provides good insight into Disney's organization, decision making with regards to business acquisitions, site selections and deal structuring and failures during Michael Eisner's term through 1998.