[1] The book documents the architecture of refugee camps, prisons, slaughter houses, and border fences and how they are used to control animals and people.

[3][4] It illustrates architectural features used to prevent human migration, suicide, terrorism, and illicit drug injection.

[2] Themes include nationalism, terrorism, corporate power, and economic globalisation.

[1] Aaron Betsky described the "deeply ironic beauty" of the book, which he also calls terrifying and notes how "ingenious we have become at harming others through both architecture.

[5] The book inspired a Carleton University architecture student's project Machine Atlas, which won the Architect Magazine's 2020 Studio Prize.