Part of the “Machine Marvels” series published by Octane Press, this book—written for ages 8 to 12—combines “narratives that follow children and their families through history with archival and contemporary images of the machines that transformed our world.” This imaginative and engaging approach includes a marvelous array of sidebars that “use science, technology, engineering, art, and math to explore the forces that shaped our society.” While the series uses education professionals to explain complex concepts for children, its creative presentation offers much for people of any age. Built around six chapters, the book begins in 1830 and journeys beyond the 2020s. Featuring a delightful assemblage of photographs and illustrations, highlights include 24 two-page presentations of revolutionary equipment including the McCormick Reaper, the 1869 J.I. Case “Old No. 1” steam engine, the 1908 International Harvester Friction-Drive Tractor, 1928 Farmall Regular, 1954 Farmall Super M-TA, 1968 Steiger 2200, 1997 Case IH “Quadtrac” 9370, and the 2019 Magnum 380 CVX. (The Case-IH merger allows coverage of what was originally a competitor to the “Revolutionary Red Tractors.”) “Farming Through the Ages” offers a series of timelines while “By the Number” provides unique ways to present statistical information.

Book Review by Robert Gabrick