Hanna-Barbera, the Recorded History

2025 Winner of Best History in the category of Best Historical Research in Record Labels or General Recording Topics from the Association for Recorded Sound Collections

Named 2025 Rollins Book Award Winner by the Southwest Popular/American Culture Association

Featuring the first extensive Hanna-Barbera discography ever published and over 140 photos and illustrations!

Whether it’s Tom and Jerry, Scooby-Doo, the Jetsons, Yogi Bear, Top Cat, Huckleberry Hound, or hundreds of others, the creations of the Hanna-Barbera studio continue to delight generations worldwide. The groundbreaking company employed thousands in the art and business of animation. Some of them were vintage-era veterans, others were up-and-coming talents, some of whom found blockbuster success at other studios. The power of the sounds that Hanna-Barbera crafted to accompany the compelling visuals was a key factor in its spectacular success. Legendary vocal performances and signature sound effects evoke countless visual images. Catchy music cues and theme songs are recalled instantly.

Hanna-Barbera, the Recorded History: From Modern Stone Age to Meddling Kids chronicles, for the first time, the story of this entertainment phenomenon from one century to the next and reveals unexplored aspects of its artistry. Hanna-Barbera’s impact on the music industry is chief among these aspects. Author Greg Ehrbar chronicles the partnership between Bill Hanna, Joe Barbera, and their talented associates—and, at the same time, parallels the impact of their artistry on the recording industry. Page after page abounds with exclusive interviews, surprising facts, and previously unpublished anecdotes. Also featuring the first extensive H-B discography ever published, Hanna-Barbera, the Recorded History earns its place on the go-to shelf of every animation, music, television, and film enthusiast.