Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Max Brooks


Maximilian Michael Brooks (born May 22, 1972) is an American author, screenwriter, actor, and strategic analyst, renowned for his works that simulate global crises, particularly (2003), a practical manual for surviving outbreaks, and : An Oral History of the Zombie War (2006), a bestselling presented as eyewitness accounts of a worldwide , later adapted into a 2013 directed by .
The son of comedian and filmmaker and actress , Brooks graduated from in 1994 and initially worked in television, including writing for , before focusing on writing books that blend with themes, such as (2020), which recounts a attack on a remote facility, and like the graphic (2014) about the African American regiment in . As a nonresident fellow at the Modern War Institute at West Point and contributor to the , he has spoken at military institutions on applying creative thinking to challenges, influencing discussions on crisis response through his fiction's emphasis on logistical and societal vulnerabilities.

Early Life and Education

Family Background and Childhood

Maximillian Michael Brooks was born on May 22, 1972, in to comedian, actor, writer, and director and actress . He was the only child of the couple, who had married in 1964 and remained together until Bancroft's death in 2005. Brooks' father was of Jewish descent, while his mother was Italian-American. Despite his parents' prominence in the entertainment industry, Brooks described his childhood as stable and grounded, contrasting with the chaotic narratives in his later works. His father prioritized family time, returning home every evening at 7:00 p.m. for dinner with and their son, which Brooks credits with establishing a reliable routine. At home, was often serious and overworked rather than comedic, reflecting the demands of his career. Brooks was diagnosed with dyslexia during the late 1970s or early 1980s, a condition then poorly understood and initially attributed by teachers to laziness. His mother provided crucial support by arranging for all his school books to be recorded on audio cassettes through the Institute for the Blind, enabling him to learn via listening. This parental intervention, along with his famous lineage, likely prevented him from being held back in school despite academic struggles. Brooks developed wit and humor as coping mechanisms for his dyslexia, which persisted as a challenge in reading and writing.

Formal Education and Early Influences

Brooks attended Crossroads School in , for his , where he participated in school plays that sparked his initial interest in performance. He later enrolled at in , earning a degree in in 1994. Following his undergraduate studies, Brooks pursued graduate coursework in film at in , completing his in around 1994. During this period, he spent a semester studying at the in , an experience that broadened his perspective on global history and conflict. A severe case of , diagnosed in his youth, profoundly shaped Brooks's educational journey, leading to academic struggles and low expectations from educators but ultimately cultivating resilience and a preference for auditory learning and historical analysis over dense fiction. He has described feeling "burnt out" by high school, prompting his choice of Pitzer as a perceived "easy route," though his history major later proved pivotal in grounding his speculative writing in empirical events. This condition influenced his shift toward nonfiction-inspired narratives, emphasizing preparation and realism drawn from real-world crises rather than abstract storytelling.

Career in Entertainment

Writing for Television and Early Comedy Work

Brooks joined the writing staff of in 2001, contributing sketches during a period marked by the show's return to production following the . His first aired sketch was a Superman segment featuring host , which Brooks later recalled as drawing from classic comic book imagery, such as the sequence. Over two seasons, from 2001 to 2003, he penned material performed by cast members including , , and , amid a writing team supervised by figures like . The SNL tenure earned Brooks recognition as part of the staff awarded a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a , Music or Comedy Program in 2002. This phase represented his entry into professional , leveraging rapid-fire ideation in the to produce timely satirical content. Brooks departed the show in 2003 to pursue book projects, transitioning from collaborative television scripting to solo authorship. Prior to SNL, his entertainment involvement centered more on and voice work rather than credited writing, with no major television scripting roles documented in that era.

Acting and Voice-Over Roles

Max Brooks appeared in several television series during the early 1990s, including guest roles on (1988–1997), (1992–1999), (1993–1994), Pacific Blue (1996–2000), and 7th Heaven (1996–2007). His film credits include a child role in To Be or Not to Be (1983), a remake of the 1942 comedy directed by his father , and an appearance in The Public Eye (1992). Brooks also pursued voice-over work in animation, providing voices for characters such as Tech #2, Ranger #2, and Punk-Goon #2 in episodes of Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000–2001). He voiced roles in Justice League: Secret Origins (2001) and contributed to Batman Beyond, among other animated projects. Additional voice credits include Howard Groote and Lead Dog. By the early 2000s, Brooks transitioned from acting and voice work to focus on writing, including contributions to Saturday Night Live (1975–present), where he received an Emmy for writing in 2003.

Literary Works

Survival Guides and Non-Fiction

Max Brooks's first published work, : Complete Protection from the Living Dead, appeared in 2003 from Three Rivers Press, an imprint of . Presented in the format of a practical , the details strategies for surviving a hypothetical outbreak, including analyses of —such as their slow movement, lack of , and reanimation from —and recommendations for weaponry like blunt instruments over firearms to avoid noise attraction, fortification techniques, and evacuation protocols. It emphasizes , long-term planning over short-term panic, and historical precedents for threats, drawing on Brooks's intent to satirize unpreparedness in modern society while providing actionable advice adaptable to real disasters. In 2009, Brooks released The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks, an illustrated companion volume from the same publisher, chronicling purported zombie incursions across history from 60,000 B.C. in Africa to a 20th-century U.S. naval incident. Structured as case studies with eyewitness accounts and tactical breakdowns, it expands the original guide's lore by examining how past societies allegedly failed or succeeded against the undead, reinforcing themes of bureaucratic denial and the necessity of immediate, decentralized response. The book includes visual depictions of attacks, underscoring Brooks's use of graphic elements to illustrate survival principles applicable beyond fiction, such as recognizing early warning signs of societal collapse. Brooks ventured into more explicitly non-fictional territory with Germ Warfare: A Very Graphic History in 2019, a 44-page comic produced in collaboration with the Bipartisan Commission on and released as a free digital download. This work traces the evolution of from ancient tactics like poisoning wells to modern risks, highlighting events such as the 1346 —where plague-infected corpses were catapulted over walls—and 20th-century state programs, while advocating for enhanced U.S. infrastructure to counter non-state actors and pandemics. Illustrated in a stylized, engaging format, it critiques governmental complacency and promotes public awareness of microbial threats as a form of , aligning with Brooks's broader commentary on overlooked global vulnerabilities.

Novels and Fictional Narratives

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, Brooks's debut novel, was published on September 12, 2006, by . The narrative adopts an format, compiling fictional interviews with survivors, officials, and combatants to chronicle a global pandemic's outbreak, escalation, and aftermath, emphasizing bureaucratic inefficiencies, , and across nations. In 2012, Brooks published Closure, Limited and Other Zombie Tales, a collection of short stories expanding the universe. The stories include "Closure, Limited," depicting a post-apocalyptic service enabling survivors to confront doppelgangers of deceased loved ones for emotional resolution, alongside tales blending lore with other elements like vampires. Minecraft: The Island, released in 2017 as an official tie-in , follows an unnamed protagonist transported into the universe, where they must master crafting, , and to survive on a mysterious . The parallels real-world survival challenges within the game's procedural mechanics, serving as an entry point for younger readers into themes of adaptation and ingenuity. Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre, Brooks's second original adult , appeared on June 16, 2020, from Del Rey. Framed as recovered journals, emails, and expert analyses, it details an eco-community's isolation during a volcanic eruption near , leading to violent encounters with Sasquatch, probing human overreliance on technology and primal instincts.

Graphic Novels and Comics

Max Brooks extended his speculative fiction into graphic novels with The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks, published on October 6, 2009, by Del Rey, an imprint of Worlds. Illustrated by Ibraim Roberson, the work depicts fictional zombie incursions across historical periods, such as ancient battles and colonial encounters, serving as a visual companion to Brooks's 2003 survival manual by emphasizing tactical responses to threats. In 2010, Brooks wrote the four-issue G.I. Joe: Hearts and Minds miniseries for , collected into a featuring artwork by and Antonio Fuso. The story explores the origins and moral complexities of the , focusing on their operations against the organization and highlighting themes of and human cost in . Brooks's The Extinction Parade, launched in May 2013 by with art by Raulo Caceres, pits zombies against vampires in a multi-volume series culminating in collected editions like Volume 1 (2014). The narrative portrays vampires as an aristocratic elite decimated by a global , underscoring class divisions and the of immortal predators underestimating mass human threats. The Harlem Hellfighters, released on April 1, 2014, by Broadway Books, an imprint of , and illustrated by Caanan White, fictionalizes the experiences of the 369th Infantry Regiment, the first African American combat unit in . The graphic novel details their 191 days in the trenches, earning 171 citations despite U.S. Army segregation and discrimination, and reached #1 on the New York Times graphic novels bestseller list. In collaboration with the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, Brooks authored the free 44-page Germ Warfare: A Very Graphic History, released on April 27, 2019, chronicling biological weapons from ancient catapults hurling victims to modern synthetic threats. The work, distributed digitally via germwarfare.org, advocates for enhanced preparedness amid risks like engineered pathogens.

Screen Adaptations and Media Involvement

World War Z Film and Related Projects

The 2013 film World War Z, directed by Marc Forster and produced by Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment, was loosely adapted from Brooks' 2006 novel World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War. The screenplay, credited to Matthew Michael Carnahan with rewrites by Drew Goddard and Damon Lindelof, transformed the book's structure of global oral histories into a single-protagonist action thriller centered on Gerry Lane (played by Pitt), a former United Nations investigator racing to find a zombie virus antidote amid a rapid worldwide outbreak. Released on June 21, 2013, by Paramount Pictures, the film grossed over $540 million worldwide against a $190 million budget, despite extensive reshoots to alter the third act following test screenings. Brooks sold the film rights to in 2007 for a reported seven-figure sum but maintained no creative involvement in the production, describing the final product as "World War Z in name only" due to its divergence from the novel's slow-zombie , geopolitical focus, and interview-based format. He noted that the adaptation prioritized cinematic spectacle, including fast-moving —a stylistic choice he later deemed appropriate for film despite contrasting his book's deliberate, shambling —over the source material's emphasis on and . Brooks initially expressed reservations after viewing the trailer, which he felt misrepresented the story's scale, but ultimately viewed the film positively as an entertaining standalone thriller rather than a faithful . Related projects in the World War Z franchise extended beyond the film without Brooks' direct participation. A sequel, World War Z 2, was announced in 2017 with Pitt set to reprise his role and David Fincher initially attached as director, but it stalled due to script issues, budget concerns, and competing commitments, remaining in development hell as of 2023. A 2019 cooperative multiplayer video game, World War Z, developed by Saber Interactive and published by Focus Home Interactive, drew loose inspiration from both the novel and film, featuring horde-based zombie survival gameplay across global locations, though Brooks had no credited role in its creation. In 2025, Paramount announced plans for a new film set in the World War Z universe, potentially expanding the franchise, but details on plot, creative team, or ties to Brooks' original work remain undisclosed.

Other Screenwriting and Production Roles

Brooks provided the original story for the 2016 action-adventure film The Great Wall, directed by and starring as a European mercenary encountering mythical beasts while seeking black powder in ancient . The screenplay was developed by Carlo Bernard, , and , building on Brooks' concept initially outlined with and in 2011. Released on December 16, 2016, the film grossed $334.8 million worldwide against a $135–150 million budget, marking Brooks' sole credited writing contribution outside of World War Z adaptations. In addition to feature films, Brooks wrote and directed the Enemies Within in , a lesser-known early project exploring internal conflicts amid external threats. No major production credits, such as or roles, appear in his for theatrical releases.

Intellectual Themes and Public Commentary

Emphasis on Preparedness and Self-Reliance

Brooks' emphasis on preparedness manifests prominently in (2003), a outlining practical strategies for individual survival amid societal breakdown, including fortifications for urban homes, selection of weapons over firearms for reliability, evasion routes avoiding dense populations, and stockpiling non-perishable supplies for extended isolation. These tactics prioritize self-sufficiency, such as sourcing clean to avert —a threat he deems more lethal than dramatic confrontations—and gear for real-world durability rather than commercial . The guide's principles extend beyond fiction, having been adopted by U.S. troops in and for mindset training in unpredictable environments. In his novels, such as (2006) and (2020), Brooks illustrates through narratives where centralized authorities falter, forcing protagonists to improvise with local resources and adapt sans technology, underscoring the need for mental agility and historical awareness over bureaucratic dependence. He has articulated this as preparing for scenarios where " rules no longer apply," using metaphors for pandemics or to embed lessons in and proactive planning. Brooks applies these themes strategically as a non-resident fellow at the Modern War Institute at West Point since 2017, lecturing at the on crisis interconnectivity and participating in FEMA hurricane drills and nuclear response exercises to foster innovative threat responses. His advocacy promotes societal resilience via individual initiative, critiquing overreliance on institutions vulnerable to systemic failures, as evidenced by his pre-COVID warnings on global contagion risks mirrored in later events.

Geopolitical Insights and Critiques of Bureaucracy

Brooks employs his fictional narratives to illustrate geopolitical vulnerabilities stemming from bureaucratic inertia and institutional failures. In World War Z (2006), the United States government's initial response to the zombie outbreak is hampered by interagency rivalries, denialism, and regulatory delays, allowing the crisis to escalate globally; Brooks draws parallels to historical events like the slow mobilization during World War II or post-9/11 intelligence silos. This portrayal critiques how democratic bureaucracies prioritize consensus and legalistic procedures over decisive action, contrasting with more authoritarian systems that, while swift, often conceal threats due to opacity—exemplified by China's cover-up of the outbreak's origins in the novel. Extending these themes to non-fiction commentary, Brooks argues that modern crises, such as the , expose systemic flaws in dependencies and federal coordination. He has advocated for immediate invocation of the Defense Production Act to compel manufacturing of essential goods, faulting delays in for amplifying shortages and public panic. In a 2021 analysis, he linked corporate greed and deregulatory policies to eroded national resilience, positing that critical industries creates geopolitical chokepoints exploitable by adversaries like or . As a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft for Strategy and Security since 2014, Brooks integrates these critiques into broader geopolitical strategy, warning of hybrid threats where bureaucratic silos blind Western powers to tactics employed by autocracies. He emphasizes causal links between institutional complacency and strategic defeats, citing the need for "whole-of-society" preparedness to counter biological or informational campaigns that exploit procedural rigidities. In discussions of future conflicts, Brooks highlights how isolationist tendencies and fragmented alliances—evident in Europe's uneven responses to or crises—undermine collective deterrence against revisionist states.

Views on Global Threats and National Security

Brooks has consistently framed global threats as interconnected crises demanding proactive responses, often using fictional narratives like apocalypses to model real-world vulnerabilities such as pandemics and . He posits that threats like infectious diseases transcend borders and require military-civilian integration, drawing parallels to historical lessons where humanitarian disasters inevitably involve security dimensions, as seen in cases like . In discussions, he emphasizes that s serve as metaphors for unconventional, rapidly spreading dangers that expose societal fragilities, urging leaders to prioritize creative over reactive measures. On pandemics, Brooks criticizes systemic underpreparation, arguing that the outbreak's scale—resulting in millions sickened and over 167,000 U.S. deaths by April 2020—stemmed from ignored warnings and dismantled infrastructure, despite taxpayer-funded networks established since the 1918 influenza. He asserts that U.S. authorities observed China's early suppression of information but failed to mobilize federal resources promptly, allowing preventable panic; instead, invoking the Defense Production Act and leveraging military logistics could have centralized production and distribution. Brooks advocates elevating to status, noting that trillions spent on unproven weapon systems pale against the life-saving potential of robust health defenses, especially as future outbreaks may originate from laboratories rather than nature. Regarding and state-sponsored biological threats, Brooks warns of escalating risks from tools accessible to non-state actors, enabling pathogens like engineered variants, as demonstrated by past incidents such as the 1984 Rajneeshee attack and 2001 Amerithrax mailings. He highlights non-compliance with the by actors including and , which maintain covert stockpiles, and critiques domestic complacency fueled by and budget cuts that erode detection capabilities. In contexts like , he has addressed disease outbreaks intertwined with potentials, reinforcing his role as a non-resident fellow at the Council focused on man-made disaster threats. Brooks stresses averting crises during the "pre-production" phase through policy and , rather than post-event improvisation.

Reception and Criticisms

Commercial Success and Cultural Impact

World War Z, published in September 2006 by Crown, a Random House imprint, sold over 1 million copies across all formats by November 2011. The novel reached 1 million copies within its first five years of print availability. Brooks' earlier work, The Zombie Survival Guide (2003), contributed to his rising profile in speculative fiction, while later titles like Devolution (2020) sustained his commercial momentum through strong initial sales and tie-ins to survival themes. The 2013 film adaptation of , directed by and starring , amplified Brooks' reach, grossing $540,455,876 worldwide against a production budget exceeding $190 million. This marked it as the highest-grossing to date, with $202,807,711 from and $337,648,165 internationally. The movie's success, despite production challenges and deviations from the source material, boosted book sales via tie-in editions and broadened Brooks' audience beyond literature into mainstream cinema. Brooks' zombie narratives exerted cultural influence by framing apocalyptic scenarios as critiques of , , and inadequate crisis response, resonating with real-world events like the . highlighted how cultural variances and political structures shape disaster outcomes, influencing discussions on global preparedness among policy analysts and enthusiasts. The book's format underscored human resilience amid systemic failures, fostering a subculture of and prompting Brooks' consultations on simulations. Its prescience regarding viral outbreaks elevated from entertainment to a lens for examining vulnerabilities.

Literary Critiques and Controversies

World War Z (2006), structured as a series of fictional interviews compiled into a post-war report, has been lauded for its global scope and incisive commentary on governmental inertia, isolationism, and societal vulnerabilities during crises. Literary analysts note that this epistolary format effectively simulates journalistic oral histories, such as Studs Terkel's The Good War, to explore themes of and policy failures across nations. However, detractors argue the novel's heavy focus on procedural details and geopolitical extrapolations dilutes traditional horror, rendering it more a on and than a thrilling , with fragmented vignettes that prioritize over character depth or . The book sparked international controversy upon its publication in , where it was effectively banned after authorities demanded excisions of passages portraying the zombie outbreak originating in a rural Chinese village concealed by government denial, mirroring real-world critiques of the 2003 epidemic response. Brooks attributed the to the Chinese Communist Party's intolerance for fictional depictions highlighting systemic opacity and authoritarian flaws that exacerbate pandemics. In the United States, World War Z has faced recent book challenges in schools in and , cited for graphic violence and apocalyptic themes deemed unsuitable for young readers. Brooks' later work : A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre (2020), employing a similar pseudo-documentary style through journals, emails, and transcripts, drew mixed literary reception for its examination of human fragility against primal threats and dependence on technology. While praised for building tension through realistic mechanics and satire of eco-utopian communes, critics highlighted flaws in pacing, with an extended slow-burn setup that delays horror payoff and occasionally lapses into uneven character motivations or overlooked elements like prolonged . review characterized it as plodding in a "dull middle ground" between campy excess and genuine fright, failing to fully capitalize on lore's potential. No major controversies arose from Devolution, though its prescient themes of and societal collapse gained renewed attention amid the .

Personal Life and Views

Family and Relationships

Max Brooks is the only child of comedian and filmmaker and actress , who married on October 5, 1964, and remained together until Bancroft's death on June 6, 2005. Born on May 22, 1972, Brooks grew up in a stable household where his father was present daily despite professional commitments. He has three half-siblings—Stefanie, Nicky, and Eddie—from his father's earlier marriage to Florence Baum, which ended in divorce in 1962. Brooks married playwright Michelle Kholos in 2003. The couple has one son, , born in 2005.

Political Stance and Public Engagements

Max Brooks identifies as a and has endorsed Democratic presidential tickets. In a September 13, 2024, social media post, he declared support for and , aligning himself explicitly with the Democratic nominees alongside his father, . In a 2020 , Brooks affirmed his Democratic affiliation while arguing for a "smarter " capable of effective , rejecting smaller government in favor of robust institutional responses to threats like pandemics. Brooks has critiqued Republican-led policies, particularly on and national preparedness. During the outbreak, he lambasted the administration's response as inadequate, emphasizing that preventable panic stemmed from failures in mobilization and information strategies despite available disaster planning frameworks. He has also highlighted geopolitical risks, such as China's opacity in origins, drawing parallels to the banning of his novel in that country for its depiction of under authoritarian denialism. In public engagements, Brooks contributes to political and security discourse through opinion pieces and media appearances that blend fiction-inspired realism with policy critique. His September 2021 Atlantic Council op-ed, framed as a futuristic letter from 2032, satirically warned of collective responsibility for hypothetical escalatory events like "6/5," attributing risks to partisan denial and institutional erosion rather than isolated actors. He has appeared on platforms like NPR to advocate for proactive government roles in emergencies, Real Time with Bill Maher for broader commentary, and Reddit AMAs to address authoritarian threats and preparedness gaps. These outlets allow him to promote empirical lessons from historical disasters, urging bipartisan focus on self-reliance and institutional reform over ideological divides.

Recent Developments

Military and Strategic Fellowships

In 2016, Max Brooks was appointed a non-resident fellow at the Modern War Institute (MWI) at the at West Point, where he contributed analyses on , creativity in warfare, and the application of to strategic thinking, such as essays on and comics as tools for learning strategy. As part of this role, Brooks engaged with cadets and military professionals, delivering lectures on topics like fostering innovation in the armed forces and drawing parallels between fictional narratives and real-world conflicts. Brooks also serves as a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council's Brent Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, affiliated with the Art of the Future project, focusing on forward-looking defense issues including , , and geopolitical risks. In this capacity, he has authored opinion pieces on challenges, such as in intelligence failures and the implications of and threats for . These fellowships underscore Brooks's transition from fiction to influencing policy discourse, leveraging his expertise in scenario-based preparedness to inform at prestigious institutions.

Latest Publications and Speaking Engagements

In June 2024, Brooks released Tiger Chair, a or contributing to his body of work on speculative narratives. Brooks has maintained an active schedule of speaking engagements focused on , preparedness, and creative problem-solving. In August 2024, he delivered keynote remarks at the U.S. Naval War College's Future Warfighting Symposium, addressing and the of warfare in the context of global threats. He also spoke at the Modern War Institute's 2024 Future Warfighting Symposium, drawing on themes from his writings to emphasize adaptive strategies against hybrid threats. In September 2024, Brooks appeared as a guest at Rose City Comic Con in , engaging with audiences on his zombie genre works and broader geopolitical insights. Later that year, in November 2024, he participated in the CBDST2024 Conference, discussing strategic foresight and crisis response. Extending into 2025, Brooks served as keynote speaker for the U.S. Naval War College's Future Warfighting Symposium, invited to reprise his role in exploring evolving military doctrines amid contemporary challenges. These engagements underscore his role as a nonresident fellow at the Modern War Institute at West Point, where he frequently addresses institutional adaptability and threat anticipation.

References

  1. [1]
    Max Brooks - IMDb
    He is a writer and actor, known for World War Z (2013), The Great Wall (2016) and Saturday Night Live (1975). He has been married to Michelle Kholos Brooks ...
  2. [2]
    Max Brooks | Penguin Random House
    Max Brooks is an author, public speaker, and nonresident fellow at the Modern War Institute at West Point. His bestselling books include Minecraft: The Island.
  3. [3]
    Max Brooks (Author of World War Z) - Goodreads
    Max Brooks is The New York Times bestselling author of The Zombie Survival Guide and World War Z. He has been called ”the Studs Terkel of zombie journalism.
  4. [4]
    Mel Brooks' 4 Kids: All About Max, Nicky, Eddie and Stefanie
    May 27, 2025 · He's the only child of Brooks and Anne Bancroft. After Max's birth, Brooks and Bancroft moved to California.Missing: background | Show results with:background
  5. [5]
    Max Brooks
    As a best-selling author, Max Brooks is credited with helping propel zombie-lore from niche sub-culture fascination to mainstream pop-culture obsession.
  6. [6]
    Max Brooks - Biography - IMDb
    Max Brooks was born on May 22, 1972 in New York City, New York, USA. He is a writer and actor, known for World War Z (2013), The Great Wall (2016) and Saturday ...Missing: early | Show results with:early
  7. [7]
    Novelist Max Brooks On Doomsday, Dyslexia And Growing Up With ...
    Aug 15, 2017 · He's the son of comedian Mel Brooks and actress Anne Bancroft, and Brooks describes his childhood as stable. He says, "My father was home every ...Missing: background | Show results with:background
  8. [8]
    Max Brooks, New York Times Best-Selling Author - Yale Dyslexia
    He spent seven years as the Boston Globe's science editor reporter, and during that time won the Pulitzer Prize (2005), the National Academy of Sciences ...Missing: official | Show results with:official
  9. [9]
    The Untold Truth Of Mel Brooks' Son Max - The List
    Jul 19, 2021 · Max Brooks is the son of Mel Brooks and the late Anne Bancroft. Here's what you don't know about the talented writer, husband, father, ...
  10. [10]
    Novelist Max Brooks On Doomsday, Dyslexia And Growing Up With ...
    Aug 15, 2017 · Brooks' stable childhood with parents Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft stands in contrast to the wild stories he tells in novels like World War ...Missing: background | Show results with:background
  11. [11]
    Pitzer Ranks #31 on New Best Liberal Arts Colleges List
    Feb 24, 2021 · It counted environmentalist Hunter Lovins '72, FX Networks Chair John Landgraf '84, and World War Z author Max Brooks '94 among the College's ...
  12. [12]
    Max Brooks Uses Storytelling to Prepare Us for Disaster
    Jun 12, 2020 · Brooks, who earned his MA in film studies from the School of Communication, is best known as the author of popular novels, including “World ...
  13. [13]
    Max Brooks - Trivia - IMDb
    Graduated from American University's film school in 1994, after having also attended Pitzer College as a history major and spending a semester at the ...
  14. [14]
    Max Brooks: 'My dyslexia didn't stop me writing' - The Times
    Nov 25, 2023 · The bestselling children's author, and son of Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft, reveals his early struggle to read. By Lucy Bannerman.
  15. [15]
    https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/saturday-night-live-oral-history
  16. [16]
    10 People You Didn't Know Were Writers On SNL | HowStuffWorks
    Feb 24, 2016 · From 2001 to 2003, Max Brooks wrote skits for the likes of Will Farrell, Amy Poehler and Chris Parnell—all the while working in secret on his ...
  17. [17]
    'World War Z' author on being a 'zombie guy' - USA Today
    Jul 2, 2013 · One of your first gigs was writing for Saturday Night Live [2001-2003], for which you won an Emmy. Did you feel extra pressure to be super ...<|separator|>
  18. [18]
    Max Brooks Is Not Kidding About the Zombie Apocalypse
    Jun 21, 2013 · Max Brooks Is Not Kidding About the Zombie Apocalypse ... He put it in a drawer and moved to New York to write on “Saturday Night Live.
  19. [19]
    Max Brooks Movies & TV Shows List | Rotten Tomatoes
    Brooks worked on a variety of projects during his early entertainment career, including "Roseanne" (ABC, 1988-1997) and "Sibling Rivalry" with Kirstie Alley ...
  20. [20]
    Max Brooks Movies and Shows - Apple TV
    Brooks worked on a variety of projects during his early entertainment career, including Roseanne (ABC, 1988-1997) and Sibling Rivalry with Kirstie Alley (1990).
  21. [21]
    Films starring Max Brooks - Letterboxd
    Films starring Max Brooks · Poster for To Be or Not to Be (1983) · Poster for Justice League: Secret Origins (2001) · Poster for The Public Eye (1992) · Poster for ...Missing: roles filmography
  22. [22]
    Max Brooks — The Movie Database (TMDB)
    Known For · World War Z · World War Z · The Great Wall. The Great Wall · The Rise of the Beast · The Rise of the Beast · Devolution · 10 Rules for Surviving a ...Missing: roles | Show results with:roles
  23. [23]
    When Authors Read Their Own Audiobooks: 5 Great Performances
    Nov 16, 2016 · Along with being on actor, with roles on shows like Roseanne and 7th Heaven, Brooks has done extensive voice-over work, including Batman Beyond, ...<|separator|>
  24. [24]
    Max Brooks (visual voices guide) - Behind The Voice Actors
    Max Brooks is a voice actor known for voicing Howard Groote, and Lead Dog. Take a visual walk through their career and see 7 images of the characters ...
  25. [25]
    The Zombie Survival Guide - Max Brooks
    This book covers everything you need to know, including how to understand zombie physiology and behavior, the most effective defense tactics and weaponry.
  26. [26]
    The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks - Max Brooks
    Scripted by the world's leading zombie authority, Max Brooks, Recorded Attacks reveals how other eras and cultures have dealt with–and survived– the ancient ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  27. [27]
    The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks - Amazon.com
    The New York Times bestselling author of The Zombie Survival Guide and World War Z, MAX BROOKS has been called "the Studs Terkel of zombie journalism."<|separator|>
  28. [28]
    Germ Warfare - Graphic Novel - Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense
    A highly stylized and engaging graphic novel depicting previous biological warfare events, the possibilities for the future, and the continued need for public ...
  29. [29]
    New Comic Book! Free to Download - Max Brooks
    Apr 29, 2019 · My new comic book - Germ Warfare: A Very Graphic History is out today. Download it for free at germwarfare.org. Germ Warfare Cover.jpg.
  30. [30]
    Read a comic about the history of biological warfare from the author ...
    May 4, 2019 · The 44-page graphic novel is a free download from the Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense, and looks at humanity's history with biological warfare.
  31. [31]
    World War Z by Max Brooks - Penguin Random House
    Product Details. ISBN9780739340141. Published onSep 12, 2006. Published byRandom House Audio. Length6 Hours. Author. Max Brooks. Max Brooks is an author, public ...
  32. [32]
    World War Z by Max Brooks - Penguin Random House
    In stock Free delivery#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Prepare to be entranced by this addictively readable oral history of the great war between humans and zombies.
  33. [33]
    Closure, Limited: Max Brooks - Amazon.com
    A terrifying new collection of short stories from the master of zombie fiction, Max Brooks, bestselling author of World War Z, The Zombie Survival Guide and ...
  34. [34]
    https://www.audible.com/pd/Closure-Limited-and-Other-Zombie-Tales-Audiobook/B00B29YXHO
  35. [35]
    Minecraft: The Island - Max Brooks
    NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The first official Minecraft novel! In the tradition of iconic adventures like Robinson Crusoe and Treasure Island, the author of ...
  36. [36]
    Minecraft: The Island by Max Brooks, Paperback | Barnes & Noble®
    In stock Free deliveryThe author of World War Z tells the story of a hero—stranded in the world of Minecraft—who must unravel the secrets of a mysterious island in order to survive.
  37. [37]
    Devolution by Max Brooks: 9781984826800
    In stock Free delivery over $20Brooks packs his plot with action, information, and atmosphere, and captures both the foibles and the heroism of his characters.”—Publishers Weekly. See More ...
  38. [38]
    Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre
    ... tap to read brief content. Book details. Print length. 304 pages. Language. English. Publisher. Del Rey. Publication date. June 16, 2020. Dimensions. 6.34 x ...
  39. [39]
    The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks - Barnes & Noble
    In stockSoon after the zombies started attacking Andrew was the only one who had escaped the lifeless grasp of the zombie hoards. Moveing from city to city he decamated ...
  40. [40]
    G.I. Joe: Hearts & Minds, A G.I. Joe Graphic Novel - Amazon.com
    From Max Brooks, New York Times bestselling author of World War Z and masterful artists Howard Chaykin and Antonio Fuso comes the next generation of G.I. JOE ...
  41. [41]
    https://www.avatarpress.com/extinction-parade-a-new-comic-from-world-war-z-creator-max-brooks/
  42. [42]
    Max Brooks' The Extinction Parade Volume 1 ... - Amazon.com
    This collected edition contains the entire first chapter of Extinction Parade (ssues #1-5) and a massive undead cover gallery!
  43. [43]
    The Harlem Hellfighters - Max Brooks - Barnes & Noble
    In stock $6.99 deliveryFrom bestselling author Max Brooks, the riveting story of the highly decorated, barrier-breaking, historic black regiment—the Harlem Hellfighters.
  44. [44]
    World War Z's Max Brooks reveals the book to movie advice ... - SYFY
    Jun 4, 2020 · One noteworthy adaptation is World War Z, the 2013 Brad Pitt-starring horror thriller loosely translated from Max Brooks' beloved 2006 book ...
  45. [45]
    Book vs. Film: World War Z | LitReactor
    Jul 5, 2013 · Now, contrast this with the movie adaptation, which focuses on lone protagonist Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) as he races to solve the zombie problem— ...
  46. [46]
    BROOKS: WORLD WAR Z IN NAME ONLY | Zombie Research Society
    May 15, 2013 · Max Brooks discusses his complete lack of involvement with the film adaptation of his novel World War Z, saying that the movie is related to his book in name ...
  47. [47]
    World War Z's "fast zombies are cinematic" says Max Brooks
    May 20, 2013 · Author Max Brooks tells us about zombie plagues, uncertain times and World War Z.
  48. [48]
    Max Brooks Didn't Hate The World War Z Movie - Giant Freakin Robot
    Jun 4, 2024 · The 41-year-old writer apparently didn't like the theatrical trailer, but he enjoyed the film despite his initial hesitation. Brooks explained:
  49. [49]
    Max Brooks talks World War Z, Minecraft, and Bigfoot
    Nov 9, 2023 · Max Brooks sits with Eric McClanahan to talk about his series of Minecraft books, that WORLD WAR Z movie, workshopping to crowds, ...
  50. [50]
    New film in World War Z universe planned - Facebook
    Aug 16, 2025 · A new film set in the 'WORLD WAR Z' universe is in the works at Paramount. ... Z" by Max Brooks is being made into a movie by Paramount Pictures.
  51. [51]
    Edward Zwick to Direct Legendary East's First Film 'The Great Wall'
    Aug 23, 2011 · Zwick and Herskovitz will write the screenplay based on a story by Legendary Entertainment's chairman and CEO Thomas Tull and World War Z author ...
  52. [52]
    The Great Wall (2016) - Box Office Mojo
    Role. Yimou Zhang, Director. Carlo Bernard, Writer. Doug Miro, Writer. Tony Gilroy, Writer. Max Brooks, Writer. Edward Zwick, Writer. Marshall Herskovitz ...
  53. [53]
    Max Brooks - Other works - IMDb
    Max Brooks. Writer: World War Z. Max Brooks was born on 22 May 1972 in New York City, New York, USA. He is a writer and actor, known for World War Z (2013), ...Missing: acting roles
  54. [54]
    https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/18954/the-zombie-survival-guide-by-max-brooks/
  55. [55]
    Max Brooks - Modern War Institute - - West Point
    Jul 4, 2016 · Max Brooks is credited with helping propel zombie-lore from niche sub-culture fascination to mainstream pop-culture obsession.
  56. [56]
    Your Favorite Book Sucks: 'World War Z - An Oral History of the ...
    Oct 26, 2012 · He criticizes American bureaucracy and isolationism, Middle Eastern bull-headedness, Chinese secrecy.Missing: critiques | Show results with:critiques
  57. [57]
    Reading World War Z - Scott Ross
    Sep 28, 2013 · American bureaucracy prevents a comprehensive response from coalescing. Brooks manages to poke a finger in the eye of government, showing the ...
  58. [58]
    Author Max Brooks On COVID-19: 'All Of This Panic Could Have ...
    Mar 24, 2020 · Apocalyptic novelist Max Brooks is something of an expert on planning for pandemics and other disasters.Missing: insights | Show results with:insights
  59. [59]
    Max Brooks on How Greed Left Us Unprepared for the Pandemic
    Jul 1, 2021 · About Intelligence Squared: Intelligence Squared has established ... global conversation that enables people to make informed decisions ...Missing: insights | Show results with:insights
  60. [60]
    Max Brooks - Atlantic Council
    Brooks worked as a writer for Saturday Night Live and after working for the BBC in Great Britain and East Africa, Brooks began writing The Zombie Survival Guide ...
  61. [61]
    Max Brooks - Foreign Policy
    Apr 20, 2020 · Max Brooks is a best-selling novelist who holds dual fellowships at the Atlantic Council's Brent Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security ...
  62. [62]
    Max Brooks Talks Future Warfare - Modern War Institute
    Mar 31, 2016 · Brooks merges science fiction (zombies) with actual historical events to inform his audiences about global disasters and crisis preparedness.
  63. [63]
    MWI Podcast: Pandemics, National Security, and Zombies
    Oct 29, 2020 · author and MWI senior fellow Max Brooks. Max is most well known as ... MWI Podcast: Pandemics, National Security, and Zombies. Jake ...
  64. [64]
    The Next Pandemic Might Not Be Natural - Foreign Policy
    Apr 20, 2020 · An expert's point of view on a current event. The Next Pandemic Might Not Be Natural. Conspiracy theories and pseudoscience have left the United ...
  65. [65]
    What Zombie Expert Max Brooks Can Teach Us About Coronavirus
    ### Max Brooks' Quotes on Public Health as National Security and Lessons from Coronavirus
  66. [66]
    The Author of World War Z Is Worried About Germ Warfare
    May 14, 2019 · The author of World War Z is worried about Germ Warfare. Max Brooks on writing a graphic novel about the threat of bioterrorism.
  67. [67]
    Brooks's 'World War Z' Hits Sales Milestone - Publishers Weekly
    Nov 10, 2011 · The book, which was publishing by Random House's Crown imprint in hardcover in September 2006, has sold over 1 million copies in all formats ...
  68. [68]
    Max and Michelle Brooks: From 'World War Z' to 'War Words'
    Oct 9, 2023 · The son of film legend Mel Brooks and actress Anne Bancroft, Max's rise to fame came not from his parentage, but from his tale of a zombified ...
  69. [69]
    World War Z (2013) - Box Office Mojo
    World War Z grossed $540,455,876 worldwide, with $202,807,711 domestically and $337,648,165 internationally.
  70. [70]
    World War Z (2013) - Box Office and Financial Information
    The overall box office rose 18% to $240 million, which was the eighth biggest weekend of all time. The box office was 46% higher than the same weekend last year ...
  71. [71]
    World War Z author Max Brooks on pandemics, fear, panic, and hope
    Mar 16, 2020 · But the novel is much better, and beloved among zombie enthusiasts and foreign policy wonks alike for the way it shows how cultural factors ...
  72. [72]
    Rants And Raves: Max Brooks And 'World War Z' | KPBS Public Media
    Jun 19, 2013 · He also explored how cultural differences and political realities could affect how each country dealt with the problem. How does the tension ...
  73. [73]
    Experiencing Max Brooks' World War Z During World War C
    Mar 31, 2022 · In Max Brooks' World War Z, the zombie virus is a personal war against humanity. In the real world, now, COVID-19 has been ours.
  74. [74]
    https://www.audible.com/blog/summary-world-war-z-by-max-brooks
  75. [75]
    World War Z, Max Brooks; plus, ARGH GENDER STUFF
    Apr 1, 2013 · The disaster isn't just zombies. It's national pride and it's greed and it's reliance on tradition in situations where tradition has become ...
  76. [76]
    China barred my dystopian novel about how its system enables ...
    Feb 27, 2020 · I was prevented from publishing my book in China because the government did not want to confront its own flaws, even when heavily fictionalized.
  77. [77]
    Velshi Banned Book Club: World War Z Reveals Our Weaknesses
    Jul 7, 2025 · Ali Velshi and Max Brooks sit down to discuss his zombie apocalypse thriller, World War Z, and what it says about government and society.
  78. [78]
    Max Brooks's Devolution: Excellent but Flawed Survival Horror
    Jun 23, 2020 · I was very excited to discover Max Brooks, author of World War Z, has a new book out, Devolution: A Firsthand Account of The Rainier ...Missing: controversies | Show results with:controversies<|separator|>
  79. [79]
    REVIEW: Devolution by Max Brooks - Grimdark Magazine
    Jul 11, 2020 · The one complaint I have about the story is that it is a slow burn. SLLLOOOOOWWW. I was waiting for something to happen in the first 60 % of the ...
  80. [80]
    'Devolution' by Max Brooks book review - The Washington Post
    Jun 9, 2020 · With “Devolution,” Brooks brings his considerable investigative powers to a cryptozoological controversy that has been raging in the Pacific ...
  81. [81]
    Interfaith Celebrities: Mel Brooks Honored at Kennedy Center
    Dec 22, 2009 · Max and his wife, Jewish playwright Michelle Kholos, had a son (their only child so far) in 2005. It's also nice to note that Max says that in ...
  82. [82]
    Like my dad, and our dog, I'm all in for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz ...
    Sep 13, 2024 · The good news is that if he dies before the election, he'll still be voting democrat! 1 yr.
  83. [83]
    Max Brooks: 'Pandemics come in predictable cycles. If I'm the ...
    Jun 6, 2020 · The World War Z author talks about how science fiction turned him into a disaster expert, Donald Trump, and growing up with parents Mel Brooks and Anne Bancroft<|control11|><|separator|>
  84. [84]
    World War Z author Max Brooks attacks Trump's virus response
    Aug 27, 2020 · The Donald J. Trump campaign say he reacted swiftly to coronavirus. World War Z and Devolution author and disaster expert Max Brooks tells ...
  85. [85]
    I am Max Brooks, author of World War Z, and I am here to ... - Reddit
    Mar 12, 2020 · Let's talk about survival. Individuals, groups, nations. Let's talk about how fictional threats can teach us real survival skills. Let's talk ...World War Z & Zombie Survival Guide Author Max Brooks - RedditI am Max Brooks, author of “World War Z,” and I'm here to discuss my ...More results from www.reddit.comMissing: self- | Show results with:self-
  86. [86]
    OPINION: We are all responsible for 6/5 - Atlantic Council
    Sep 7, 2021 · Max Brooks is a nonresident senior fellow with the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security's Art of the Future project. Mr. Brooks is a New ...Missing: views | Show results with:views
  87. [87]
    Max Brooks and Tara Palmeri - Real Time with Bill Maher - YouTube
    Mar 9, 2024 · Bill and his guests continue their conversation after the show.
  88. [88]
    War Books, Special Edition: Learning Strategy by Playing Video ...
    Mar 18, 2019 · ... Max Brooks. ... Manage commerce, infrastructure, law enforcement, intra-city trade, and general discontent, all the while fending off threats like ...
  89. [89]
    Video: Max Brooks on the Importance of Championing Creativity in ...
    On January 19, Max Brooks, an MWI non-resident fellow and author of the New York Times-bestselling novel World War Z, visited West Point to speak to cadets ...
  90. [90]
    Max Brooks List of Books - Book Notification
    List of Non-Fiction Books in Publication Order ; 1. Zombie Survival Notes Mini Journal ; 2. The Zombie Survival Guide Journal.
  91. [91]
    Naval War College Hosts Symposium on Innovation and Future of ...
    Aug 8, 2024 · FWS 2024 began with keynote remarks by Max Brooks, author of “World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War,” who has participated in various ...
  92. [92]
    Max Brooks - 2024 Future Warfighting Symposium - YouTube
    Aug 13, 2024 · ... insights into the core curriculum of Perspectives on Modern War, Strategy and Policy, National Security Affairs, and Joint Military ...Missing: geopolitical | Show results with:geopolitical
  93. [93]
    Max Brooks | FanCons.com
    Max Brooks is considered by many to be one of the world's foremost Zombie preparedness experts. As we all know, the world we live in has become a rather scary ...