The dramatic inside story of the downfall of Michael Eisner—Disney Chairman and CEO—as well as the scandals that drove America’s best-known entertainment company to civil war.

“When You Wish Upon a Star,” “Whistle WHEN YOU Work,” “The Happiest Place on Earth”—they are lyrics indelibly associated with Disney, perhaps one of the most admired and best-known businesses in the world. So when Roy Disney, chairman of Walt Disney Computer animation and nephew of creator Walt Disney, abruptly resigned in November 2003 and announced about DisneyWar war on chairman and leader Michael Eisner, he sent shock waves through the entertainment industry, corporate boardrooms, theme parks, and living spaces around the world—almost everywhere Disney does business and its own products are appreciated.

Drawing on unprecedented usage of both Eisner and Roy Disney, current and previous Disney executives and board users, as well as thousands of webpages of never-before-seen words, memos, transcripts, and various other documents, James B. Stewart reaches underneath of mysteries that have enveloped Disney for a long time: What actually triggered the rupture with studio room chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg, a guy who once viewed Eisner like a dad but who became his fiercest rival? How could Eisner possess so misjudged Michael Ovitz, a man who was not merely “the most effective man in Hollywood” but also his friend, whom he appointed as Disney chief executive and immediately wanted to fire? What triggered the break between Eisner and Pixar chairman Steve Careers, and why did Pixar abruptly give up its partnership with Disney? Why did Eisner therefore mistrust Roy Disney that he assigned Disney company professionals to spy on him? How do Eisner control the Disney plank for so long, and what actually happened in the fateful plank meeting in Sept 2004, when Eisner performed his last credit cards?

DisneyWar is an enthralling story of 1 of America’s most powerful media and entertainment businesses, the people who control it, and those looking to overthrow them. It tells a story that—in its sudden twists, stunning, larger-than-life characters, and thrilling climax—might itself have already been the main topic of a Disney traditional—except that it’s all accurate.