Did you read The Invention of Hugo Cabaret, or watch the movie Hugo and get fascinated by the automaton? This book is an in-depth look at one specific automaton called the Monk, now held at the Met. This automaton is over 500 years old and is still in working order. This book goes in depth about how it was made and runs, and who could possibly have been the builder. It does this by showing various automaton that have been found, as well as comparing it to historic art and history of people who would have collected such things. It mixes intrigue and imagination and makes one want to learn more and see more pictures of automaton that still exist. This book appears well researched. There are plenty of citations in the back and the chart in the appendix where they compare the various automaton was also helpful. Overall, this is a fascinating book that when somebody picks it up might wonder how these could’ve existed for over 500 years while AI seems to be the new big thing in our current society.