While I agree with the others who discuss the poor text in the book, the book should be bought for the photos. This book reproduces beautifully animation art images from both private collectors and the Walt Disney Studio Archives...including most never before seen. The images are large, and are printed with a glossy finish to them, making them superb reproductions. There is even a sericel type of reproduction in the book of Mickey and the gang bowing at the opening of "The Band Concert," his first color cartoon. While the cost and the weight of this book are both heavy, if you can afford it just to stare at the beautiful cels and drawings, it will bring you hours of enjoyment. One note, the book reproduces several cel setups from "Steamboat Willie." While the text describes them ar originals, which the backgrounds clearly are, the cels are reproductions, as Mickey did not yet have his white gloves.

I do not disagree with the other reviews regarding the depth or accuracy of the text. However, the reproduction of the art is amazing. The pictures of the cels have a shiny lacquer finish that gives a good feel for cels and the subtle textures of the background come through. It is an excellent visual history of the Mickey Mouse cartoons and makes a great companion piece to the new DVD collection of Mickey Mouse cartoons in color.