Event
An afternoon with Surekha Davies: Humans, a Monstrous History
About
What to expect
Award-winning historian of science Dr. Surekha Davies discusses her book Humans: A Monstrous History with biographer and book critic Julie Phillips, followed by a Q&A and book signing.
The book explores how people have defined the human through monsters, from apes to zombies, and how race, gender, and nations were invented along the way.
- Talk, Q&A, and book signing
- Book: Humans: A Monstrous History
- With Julie Phillips
Questions
When does An afternoon with Surekha Davies: Humans, a Monstrous History start and end?
An afternoon with Surekha Davies: Humans, a Monstrous History runs Friday, 13 November 2026, 17:00 until 18:30.
Where is An afternoon with Surekha Davies: Humans, a Monstrous History?
An afternoon with Surekha Davies: Humans, a Monstrous History takes place at The American Book Center, Spui 12, Amsterdam.
How much are tickets for An afternoon with Surekha Davies: Humans, a Monstrous History?
An afternoon with Surekha Davies: Humans, a Monstrous History is free to enter.
What happens at the event?
Surekha Davies talks about her book with Julie Phillips.
There is a Q&A.
She signs the book afterwards.
What is the book about?
It looks at how people have defined the human through monsters, from apes to zombies.
It shows how people identified monsters between these categories.
It says race, gender, and nations were invented along the way.
It combines sources such as medieval maps, Linnaeus's classification, Renaissance curiosities, science-fiction cyborgs, Darwin's Origin of Species, and Frankenstein's monster.
It shows how monster-making lies at the foundations of the modern world.
Through monsters, people define what they mean by 'normal.'
How can I register?
Registration link:
Amsterdam
Getting there
The American Book Center, Spui 12, 1012 XA Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, NL
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