As a lover of all the film things, this was fascinating! Learning stories and secrets of the industry is always a great in for me and this did not disappoint!

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Rowman & Littlefield for an advanced copy of this new book that looks at the history of American animation from its humble beginnings to its box office dominance of today.

The first movie I ever saw was an animated movie, Walt Disney's Robin Hood, in a small theater in the Bronx. I think I got my first slice of pizza that night, so that was an awesome day. We had arrived early and had to wait to get in. The doors would periodically open and I could see the flash of color, the look of rain, a fox a bear, a snake. It was magic and I have loved movies ever since. Cartoons have always been a semi-addiction. Watching Saturday Cartoons from 7 am with Looney Tunes, ending at 12;30 pm with Flash Gordon. Cartoons are magic, at least that is how I feel, one can do anything, things a movie with real actors cannot do, even show emotions. I've probably cried more in animated films than most other ones. Something many of the people who have worked in animation over the last 100 years have probably done a lot of also. Moving Pictures: A History of American Animation from Gertie to Pixar and Beyond by Darl Larsen is a story of film, the creators who cared, the hucksters who squeezed a profit, the corporations that have done their best to ruin animation, and the style, innovations, and technology that have make it the art form it is.

The book begins with the beginning of film, and something that is used quite a bit now, the need for content. Animated films were perfect to fill out a bill, as they could be cheap, could be easily cut, and kept people in seats for the next. Some of these early animators cared little about the art form. Windsor McKay was probably the true artist, insisting on things being done his way, with his style and no shortcuts. Many made money on the burgeoning technology, grabbing and holding patents as a way of getting others studios to pay money, driving many out of the profession. Disney changed that, making a profit on a full-length cartoon, a thing no one thought possible, as the work involved would never payoff. As Disney grew in stature, other studios began to look at these cartoons, and began to create their own works, works that are considered classics today. However art making money is always something that can be exploited, and the book goes into the many problems of Disney, Dreamworks and other cartoon studios, as bottom lines got in the way of creative instinct.

A complete history of an art form from all sides. I especially liked the early information, as I knew some of the names mentioned, but not their place in the hierarchy of animation. Larsen has a very nice writing style, and a love for the medium, which is apparant throughout the book. Larsen looks at the creators, the business types even the events taking place in society in showing how many obstacles animation had. The book is like a long list from my childhood, especially the Don Bluth's films. As I read the titles I could see the posters in the theater, or even more the boxes on the VHS tapes I used to watch them on.

A very good history, perfect for people just getting into animation, or those who just want to remember their youth and the amazing films that were created.

For almost as long as there has been film at all, there has been animation from Gertie the dinosaur and Felix the Cat through to Mickey Mouse, Tom and Jerry, Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, The Flintstones, The Simpsons to er.... whatever cartoons children watch today. This book covers the long story of American animation in exhaustive detail. In fact, the book is so thorough and comprehensive that it might prove a bit too much for some casual readers. It certainly was for this one.
That's all folks!

I really loved this book. I've been wanting to learn more about animations because I love working in media, so I decided to request this, and I haven't been able to put it down all day. I loved learning about the history of animation because it is something I enjoy watching, but I never truly sat down to think about its history and how it is made, despite the fact that I work in film and media myself. Larsen created a well-rounded book that illustrates the history of animation and does so in a way that keeps you entertained and wanting to learn more. She doesn't dumb anything down but also makes sure to explain it in a way that isn't overwhelming because there is a lot (and I mean a lot) of history in the animation world.

If you are interested in learning about the history of animation or just looking for something different to read about this is the book for you.