"World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War" is a 2006 novel by Max Brooks. Presented as a collection of interviews, it recounts the global devastation caused by a zombie pandemic. Through diverse perspectives, the narrative explores survivors' experiences, societal collapse, and the struggle for humanity's survival against the undead threat. From Antarctica to outer space, the novel offers a chillingly realistic depiction of a world grappling with a horrifying new reality.
October 30, 1938: Siobhan Carroll Compares "World War Z" Audiobook to Orson Welles's "The War of the Worlds"
In her review of the "World War Z" audiobook for Strange Horizons, Siobhan Carroll drew a parallel between the audiobook's immersive listening experience and Orson Welles's renowned radio broadcast of "The War of the Worlds" on October 30, 1938.
1967: Israel Implements Controversial Policies in Response to Zombie Outbreak
Amidst the growing zombie threat, Israel enacts a policy of voluntary quarantine, withdrawing from the Palestinian territories, evacuating Jerusalem, and constructing a wall along the 1967 demarcation line. The government also offers asylum to Palestinians, sparking internal conflict with the religious right.
1984: Publication of "The Good War: An Oral History of World War Two"
"The Good War: An Oral History of World War Two" by Studs Terkel, published in 1984, served as a significant inspiration for the structure and narrative style of "World War Z."
1984: Brooks Cites Influences for "World War Z"
Max Brooks revealed that the narrative structure of "World War Z" was heavily inspired by Studs Terkel's 1984 book, "The Good War: An Oral History of World War Two." He also acknowledged the influence of George A. Romero's zombie films.
2003: Establishment of Zombie Characteristics in "The Zombie Survival Guide"
Max Brooks's 2003 book, "The Zombie Survival Guide," established the defining characteristics of zombies, including their reanimation by an incurable virus, insatiable hunger for living flesh, and the necessity of brain destruction for neutralization.
2003: Publication of "The Zombie Survival Guide"
Published in 2003, "The Zombie Survival Guide" is a fictitious survival manual written by Max Brooks, which served as a precursor to "World War Z."
June 2006: Paramount Studios Acquires Film Rights to "World War Z"
In June 2006, Paramount Studios secured the film rights to "World War Z," with Brad Pitt's production company, Plan B Entertainment, set to produce the adaptation. J. Michael Straczynski was brought on board to write the screenplay, Marc Forster was chosen as the director, and Brad Pitt was attached to star as the main character, Gerry Lane.
2006: Publication of "World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War"
In 2006, Max Brooks published "World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War," a critically acclaimed zombie apocalyptic horror novel structured as a collection of individual accounts from survivors of a devastating global conflict against a zombie plague.
2007: Release of "World War Z" Audiobook
The audiobook version of "World War Z" was released in 2007, featuring a full cast including notable actors like Alan Alda, Mark Hamill, and John Turturro, and went on to win an Audie Award.
2007: "World War Z" Audiobook Wins Audie Award
The audiobook adaptation of "World War Z" garnered critical acclaim, winning the 2007 Audie Award for Multi-Voiced Performance and receiving a nomination for Audiobook of the Year.
2007: Release of Abridged "World War Z" Audiobook
An abridged audiobook version of "World War Z," directed by John McElroy and produced by Dan Zitt, was released in 2007. The audiobook, while shortened, featured Max Brooks himself as the narrator alongside a cast of actors.
2009: Delay and Rewrite of "World War Z" Film Adaptation
Initially slated to begin filming in early 2009, the production of the "World War Z" film adaptation faced delays as the script underwent a complete rewrite. The new script, penned by Matthew Michael Carnahan, aimed to contemporize the story and transform it into a more action-oriented film.
November 2011: "World War Z" Achieves Million-Copy Sales Milestone
By November 2011, "World War Z" had sold an impressive one million copies across all formats, solidifying its status as a commercial success.
2011: Filming Begins for "World War Z" Film Adaptation
After delays and a complete script overhaul, filming for the "World War Z" film adaptation finally commenced in mid-2011.
2012: Max Brooks Expresses Discontent with "World War Z" Film Adaptation
In 2012, Max Brooks publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with the direction of the "World War Z" film adaptation, stating that the film bore little resemblance to his novel apart from the title.
May 14, 2013: Release of "World War Z: The Complete Edition" Audiobook
A complete and significantly longer audiobook version of "World War Z," titled "World War Z: The Complete Edition (Movie Tie-in Edition): An Oral History of the Zombie War," was released on May 14, 2013. This edition included the entirety of the original abridged audiobook along with new recordings of previously omitted segments, read by a cast of actors.
June 2013: Release of "World War Z" Film Adaptation
The film adaptation of "World War Z" hit theaters in June 2013. However, the final film differed significantly from the source material, with a rewritten script by Matthew Michael Carnahan that shifted the setting to the present day and emphasized action over the book's original premise.
2019: Release of "World War Z" Video Game
In 2019, Saber Interactive released a video game adaptation of "World War Z," based on the 2013 film.