"The Life and Times of Ward Kimball: Maverick of Disney Animation" by Todd James Pierce chronicles the chaotic genius of Walt Disney’s most rebellious "Nine Old Men" animator. This biography delves into Ward Kimball's pivotal role in creating iconic characters like Jiminy Cricket and the Mad Hatter, while exploring his tumultuous relationship with Walt. Readers discover Kimball's eccentric passions, from founding the "Firehouse Five Plus Two" jazz band to building a full-scale backyard steam railroad, the "Grizzly Flats," which directly inspired the creation of Disneyland.