The Influencing Machine: Brooke Gladstone on the Media #[nn]

"In the Beginning" opens Brooke Gladstone’s *The Influencing Machine* with a striking blend of narrative and visual storytelling, setting the stage for a deep dive into how media shapes our understanding of the world. Told through a mix of comic panels and typographic spreads, the introduction unfolds across three distinct mini-stories—“Meet the Author,” “Patient Zero,” and “The Body Electric”—each exploring foundational ideas about communication, perception, and influence. With every page drawn, inked, colored, and lettered by Josh Neufeld, the cover by Neufeld captures the book’s cerebral, intimate tone, making this a compelling entry point for readers curious about the hidden mechanics of media.