Men at Arms (Discworld Novels

Paperback)

By Terry Pratchett

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Average Rating: (See all 5 reviews) Format: Paperback, 384 pages, New edition Edition Published In: United Kingdom, 10 November 1994 Ships within 6-11 days 'Be a Man in the City Watch! The City Watch needs Men!'. But what it's got includes Corporal Carrot (technically a dwarf), Lance-constable Cuddy (really a dwarf), Lance constable Detritus (a troll), Lance constable Angua (a woman...most of the time) and Corporal Nobbs (disqualified from the human race for shoving). And, they need all the help they can get. Because they've only got twenty-four hours to clean up the town and this is Ankh-Morpork we're talking about... Publisher: Corgi Books ISBN: 0552140287 EAN: 9780552140287 Dimensions: 17.0 x 111.0 x 3.0 centimeters

Terry Pratchett is a brilliant novelist and this book is one of great examples you have of this. One of the first Pratchett books I purchased all those years ago, it is one of the ones that got me hooked. Full of his larger than life characters, as with the other Discworld novels, you will find yourself laughing out loud as you follow the story page by page until you reach the end - it is a hard one to put down!

Set in Discworld, this is the second in the City Watch sub-series (the first being Guards! Guards!). Captain Sam Vimes is getting ready to retire; he’s going to get married to Lady Sybil Ramkin, become a noble himself and live the rest of his life in luxury, never having to walk a beat at night in Ankh-Morpork again. So why is he so unhappy? Still, there’s no time to answer this at the moment, as a rash of murders have appeared all over the place, with the victims sporting very odd wounds. Plus, the Assassin’s Guild has been burgled and Vetinari has told Vimes to back off. And on top of that, the new Equal Species Act has forced the Watch to take on a troll and dwarf (despite their long-held grudge towards each other) and a…woman. Vimes and the rest of his watch have a lot to contend with if they’re going to catch the killer, who also happens to know a secret that could topple the government.

A wonderful book, this one furthers the story of the existing City Watch, as well as introduces quite a few excellent new characters that will end up being regulars. The plot is very interesting and fast-moving, and is a brilliant send-up of detective stories. There’s also a tonne of laughs to be had in this book too, as well as more tense and moving scenes to be had as well. A wonderful addition to the Discworld series, and very highly recommended.

Another crime oriented Discworld novel featuring the Ankh-Morpork Watch, lead by the uncomprimising Samuel Vimes. The Watch is a bit short staffed though, so Vimes is looking for new recruits. What he ends up with is a troll, a dwarf and a woman who has monthly troubles that are more serious than most. His ragtag bunch just might be good enough to stop whoever is killing people with the mysterious Gonne. Pratchett has done another fine job with "Men At Arms". Terrific stuff.

While not as good as some of Pratchett's later work this is still a fantastic work of fiction. Carrot in particular is well written and you can't go wrong with Vimes as a lead character. imagine the best bits of Dirty Harry , but in a medieval situation, then pur in some extra sarcasm, some brutal street fighting skills and a penchant for cigars and you might get close to Vime's character in this book.

Highly recommended.

The watch needs some new recruits, and not the human variety. To appease the growing minority groups in the bustling metropolis that is Ankh Morpork Veternari is making Vimes take on a Troll and a Dwarf. And maybe something even worse...

As well as dealing with new recruits, Vimes must contend with a deadly new weapon and an insane assasin convinced Ankh Morpork has a king again. But is their some truth to his ranting?

Another excellent example of Terry Pratchett's sheer genius. Very highly recommended.