Welcome to author J.W. Braun’s book page!

 

Born in Wisconsin, J.W. Braun was raised in the area where Dungeons & Dragons was created and became fascinated by science fiction and fantasy before he had a handle on reality. Growing up in the 1970s and 80s, he developed a special love for Star Wars, Star Trek, and The Lord of the Rings and loves writing about his favorite TV shows and movies.

“Something about Braun’s books invokes memories of sitting at a school cafeteria table with my friends, making top 10 lists and arguing about them. Topics were endless: superheroes, sports teams, movies… and yes, even Star Trek. I envision Braun walking up to our table and throwing down his list, causing me and the rest of the cool kids to tremble in submission.” ―Jon Corbett

Braun’s books include:

The Trekker’s Guide to the Archer Years

Join trekspert J.W. Braun for this unique look back at Star Trek: Enterprise, with photos, interviews, and an episode-by-episode guide. From the pilot episode of the show, “Broken Bow,” to the finale, “These Are the Voyages…” Braun analyzes all the stories, characters, and science fiction that make Star Trek: Enterprise one of the most underrated Star Trek shows of them all. And whether you’re an original fan, a new fan, or just someone who wants to find out what all the fuss is about, Braun’s approach will ensure The Trekker’s Guide to the Archer Years remains a must-have companion into the 22nd century and beyond.

“This book provides a terrific, detailed review of one the most interesting and unique shows in the Star Trek universe; one that is often overlooked when compared to the more successful eras. Definitely a must read for any Star Trek or sci-fi fan!” ―Dennis (Amazon review)

Purchase Today! Available in Paperback and for Kindle

The Trekker’s Guide to the Janeway Years

And check out this look back at Star Trek: Voyager. From the show’s pilot episode, “Caretaker,” to its finale, “Endgame,” Braun analyzes every episode of what is today one of the most streamed Star Trek incarnations!

“If you’re looking for a definitive guide to Star Trek: Voyager, you’ve found it. in The Trekker’s Guide to the Janeway Years, J.W. Braun has put together an episode-by-episode, season-by-season guide to the series that manages to be both informative and entertaining.” ―Lee (Amazon review)

Purchase Today! Available in Paperback and for Kindle

The Trekker’s Guide to the Sisko Years

And why not join Braun for this look back at Star Trek: Deep Space Nine? From the show’s pilot episode, “Emissary” to its final episode, “What You Leave Behind,” Braun analyzes every episode of Deep Space Nine, one of the most complex sci-fi shows in history.

“This is an excellent book. It’s the kind of thing I like to put on the coffee table and flip through when I’m bored or going on a Star Trek marathon.” ―Tiffany. (Amazon review)

Purchase Today! Available in Paperback and for Kindle

The Trekker’s Guide to the Picard Years

J.W. Braun also invites you to take a special look back at Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Picard. This book, featuring detailed interviews with those that worked on the shows, analyzes every episode and movie featuring Jean-Luc Picard and friends, including all seven seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation and all three seasons of Star Trek: Picard! At 535 pages, it’s guaranteed to please everyone from new fans to old fans. The book even includes a comprehensive guide to the changes made for the Blu-ray collections (now streaming).

“If you like Star Trek, especially Captain Jean-Luc Picard, then you’ll love reading this.” ―Bridgett B. (Amazon review)

Purchase Today! Available in Paperback and for Kindle

The Trekker’s Guide to the Kirk Years

And be sure to get this 369 page book about the Star Trek that started it all! Covering all of Captain Kirk’s adventures from the very first Star Trek episode all the way to 2016’s hit film, Star Trek Beyond, The Trekker’s Guide to the Kirk Years even covers Star Trek: The Animated Series and Star Trek Continues. There are also interviews with some of the people who worked to bring us these shows and plenty of fun stories about Gene Roddenberry, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and the gang that have never been shared before. The icing on the cake is an episode by episode breakdown of all the changes made for the Blu-ray collection (now streaming).

“After first being introduced to the author through his magnificent work in his Picard Years, I picked up the rest of his Trekkie books. They all have been great, but The Kirk Years might well be the best of the bunch, which is saying a lot as I have loved the others.” ―James Rowe (Amazon review)

Purchase Today! Available in Paperback and for Kindle

Ten Things You Didn’t Know About Anne Frank

How well do you know the real Anne Frank? Are you aware that her first name is pronounced with two syllables and that she never lived in an attic? Did you know the Nazi who arrested her bought her diary later on to see if he was in it? Did you know she had a pen pal in Iowa? Learn about all this and more inside this short book that includes color photos that pierce the fog of time and bring Anne closer to you than ever before.

Purchase Today! Available in Paperback and for Kindle

The Flat Earth Fallacy and the Globe Earth Proof

How is it we still have people who believe the Earth is flat? And if the Earth was flat, how would our reality be different? Just as importantly, how did the people of the past come to realize the Earth is a sphere, and how can one person by his or herself prove this today? This short, full-color book answers all these questions while explaining why such questions are more important today than ever before.

Purchase Today! Available in Paperback and for Kindle

Middle-earth Madness

Join J.W. Braun and TheOneRing.net, the world’s most recognized Tolkien-based website, in a celebration of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings films. Along with an in-depth analysis of all three Hobbit movies, Middle-earth Madness includes exclusive interviews with Richard Armitage (Thorin), Sylvester McCoy (Radagast), Graham McTavish (Dwalin), Peter Hambleton (Gloin), Jed Brophy (Nori), William Kircher (Bifur), Richard Taylor (head of Weta Workshop), Mark Ordesky (LOTR Producer) and more. It’s your backstage pass and tour guide rolled into one! Get yours to find out which creature design in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey the filmmakers weren’t satisfied with and secretly changed for the extended edition DVD, which Hobbit movie includes an item with J.R.R. Tolkien’s name written on it, and much more!

Purchase Today! Available in Paperback and for Kindle

The Lord of the Films

Rarely in popular culture has there been such a joyous phenomenon as Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films. His stunning film trilogy still stands as groundbreaking, successful, and extraordinary beautiful. The Lord of the Films is a unique companion to those films. Packed with over 60 photographs and interviews with the filmmakers themselves, every scene in each movie is tackled on four different fronts: a closer look at the plot and the action, a look behind the scenes, a reveal of mistakes that slipped through, and audiences’ reactions.

Purchase Today! Available in Paperback and for Kindle