Sir MacHinery (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798181030824)

"I am proud to present the second edition of my father, Tom McGowen's, beloved children's classic, Sir MacHinery, in its original format. It is a privilege to bring this timeless story to a new generation of young readers and allow them to experience the imagination, wonder and charm that have made it so special."

Gayle Belgram

The Story

Professor Simon Smith, a brilliant robotics inventor, has inherited a small castle tucked away in the misty Scottish Highlands. There, within the quiet halls of his ancient castle, Simon creates something extraordinary, a mechanical man, crafted from iron, gears, and ingenuity, yet capable of thinking, walking, and learning. But when a pair of courageous brownies discover the gleaming mechanical marvel, they mistake him for a legendary knight of old. Convinced they have found the hero foretold in ancient legends, they bestow upon him the name Sir MacHinery and enlist him in a quest that will determine the fate of the world. Guided by his newfound companions, the little mechanical knight sets out across the Scottish Highlands in search of the only man who can help stop the darkness to come, the great wizard Merlin.

What Simon does not realize is that the Highlands themselves are awakening. Deep beneath the rolling hills, an ancient evil stirs from a thousand-year slumber. Demons once imprisoned by powerful magic are gathering strength, and the old forces of Scotland are rising to meet the threat. Druids gather once more upon their sacred cairns, chanting ancient spells, while brownies leave their hidden hollows to spread word of the growing danger. Throughout the Highlands, the old magic awakens. Ancient stones glow beneath the stars, forgotten creatures emerge from the mist, and the legends of Scotland walk the land once more as the forces of light prepare for a final stand against the darkness.

The hero they find is Sir MacHinery, not a knight of flesh and blood, but one forged from iron and gears, with a heart of gold and the courage of a true champion. Thus begins one of the most imaginative and heartwarming adventures in children's literature, a timeless tale of courage earned rather than inherited, friendship forged across impossible differences, and the quiet magic that emerges when someone is finally given the chance to believe in themselves.

Tom McGowen was an acclaimed American author whose imaginative storytelling and passion for learning inspired generations of young readers. Born in Evanston, Illinois, and raised in the Chicago area, McGowen developed an early fascination with history, science and adventure that would later shape his writing career.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, an experience that influenced many of his later nonfiction works and deepened his interest in making history accessible and meaningful for young audiences.

Before becoming a full time writer, McGowen worked in advertising and later joined World Book, Inc. as a senior editor in 1969. Over the course of his distinguished career, he authored more than forty books for children and young adults, ranging from fantasy and adventure stories to science, history and educational nonfiction.

His writing was celebrated for combining creativity, humor and wonder with a genuine respect for young readers' intelligence and curiosity.