Mickey Mouse

The first illustrated biography of the cultural life of an enduring global icon, " Mickey Mouse: Emblem of the American Spirit " is the compelling story of how the singular artistic vision of a unique individual took on a life of its own and became an instantly recognizable character known the worldwide. Spectacularly illustrated with rarely seen archive images, art historian Garry Apgar, weaves a fascinating narrative about the nature of creation, changing generations, and how a fictional character came to embody the personality of a nation. Since his modest debut in 1928, Walt Disney's Mickey Mouse has evolved into arguably the world's most recognized -- and beloved -- fictional figure. " Mickey Mouse: Emblem of the American Spirit " is the illustrated biography of a unique cartoon character, his life and times, and his impact and influence around the world in art and literature. Part art history and part cultural study, Apgar's " Mickey Mouse " narrates how the character was initially developed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks, how his irrepressible spirit grew to huge popularity during the Depression, his influence on artists and animators and how he became a politically charged cultural icon of international reach. With more than 400 marvelous images, " Mickey Mouse " is a worthy successor to one of the most successful and influential illustrated art books on American popular culture ever published, " The Art of Walt Disney ." Join Apgar and The Walt Disney Family Museum on the historic journey of this American icon.