"The State as Machine" is a significant non-fiction book by Barbara Stollberg-Rilinger that explores the political metaphor of the absolute princely state. Published in 1986, the work offers an in-depth analysis of the functioning and symbolic significance of the state in political theory. Over 308 pages, the topic of politics and state is comprehensively addressed, with the author presenting a concise and well-founded argument. The paperback edition makes the book accessible for both academic use and interested readers. The language of the book is German, making it a valuable resource for German-speaking students and professionals in the field of political science. Stollberg-Rilinger illuminates the mechanisms and structures that shape the absolute princely state and encourages reflection on the role of the state in modern society. This academic book is an essential work for anyone interested in political theory and the history of the state.