The Monster in the Machine tracks the ways in which human beings were defined in contrast to supernatural and demonic creatures during the time of the Scientific Revolution. Zakiya Hanafi recreates scenes of Italian life and culture from the late sixteenth to the early eighteenth centuries to show how monsters were conceptualized at this particular locale and historical juncture—a period when the sacred was being supplanted by a secular, decidedly nonmagical way of looking at the world. Noting that the word “monster” is derived from the Latin for “omen” or “warning,” Hanafi explores the monster’s early identity as a portent or messenger from God. Although monsters have always been considered “whatever we are not,” they gradually were tranformed into mechanical devices when new discoveries in science and medicine revealed the mechanical nature of the human body. In analyzing the historical literature of monstrosity, magic, and museum collections, Hanafi uses contemporary theory and the philosophy of technology to illuminate the timeless significance of the monster theme. She elaborates the association between women and the monstrous in medical literature and sheds new light on the work of Vico—particularly his notion of the conatus—by relating it to Vico’s own health. By explicating obscure and fascinating texts from such disciplines as medicine and poetics, she invites the reader to the piazzas and pulpits of seventeenth-century Naples, where poets, courtiers, and Jesuit preachers used grotesque figures of speech to captivate audiences with their monstrous wit. Drawing from a variety of texts from medicine, moral philosophy, and poetics, Hanafi’s guided tour through this baroque museum of ideas will interest readers in comparative literature, Italian literature, history of ideas, history of science, art history, poetics, women’s studies, and philosophy.

When a boy and his dad build an amazing monster-making machine, all sorts of monsters come tumbling out--big ones, small ones, funny ones, and even ever-so-slightly scary ones. The monsters love to have fun and spend the days playing, until they disc

Blaze and the Monster Machines is Nickelodeon's new animated action-adventure series! It stars Blaze, a problem-solving truck that can transform into multiple machines, and his best friend and driver, AJ. This action-packed book is sure to thrill kids. This Nickelodeon read-along contains audio narration.

Blaze and the Monster Machines is Nickelodeon's new animated action-adventure series! It stars Blaze, a problem-solving truck that can transform into multiple machines, and his best friend and driver, AJ. This book is sure to thrill kids. This Nickelodeon read-along contains audio narration.

A board book with flaps to lift! Gabby's tools are missing–and it's up to Blaze and AJ to find them! Starring the trucks from Nickelodeon's Blaze and the Monster Machines, this sturdy board book, which features surprises under every flap, will be loved by boys ages 0-3. Race into action with Blaze and the Monster Machines! Preschoolers will learn about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), as they help Axle City's greatest hero overcome Crusher's cheating ways and save the day with Blazing Speed, spectacular stunts, and awesome transformations!

"Join Blaze and the monster machines for Monster phonics! Blaze, AJ, Gabby, and their friends roar into reading in this fun and educational phonics book set."--Container.

Fans of Nickelodeon's Blaze and the Monster Machines can meet Blaze and AJ, two of the monster trucks from the television show.

An action-packed, high concept, time-travelling adventure. Full of animal magic and with an epic wolf character. Linked to a website with ‘Meet the Character’ profiles, book excerpt and background stories

Photographs and text examine the parts and functions of such large machines as trucks, jets, supertankers, tractors, bulldozers, and fire engines.