Jingo
Description
“Pratchett’s writing is a constant delight. No one mixes the fantastical and the mundane to better comic effect or offers sharper insights into the absurdities of human endeavor.” —Daily Mail
Commander Sam Vines, the Ankh-Morpork City Watch, and their compatriots must fight for their country (or something like that) when Discworld goes to war in this wickedly funny Discworld novel from New York Times bestselling author Terry Pratchett.
No one would dream of starting a war without a perfectly good reason . . . such as a “strategic” piece of old rock in the middle of nowhere known as Leshp. It isn’t much of an island that rises up one moonless night from the depths of the Circle Sea—just a few square miles of silt and some old ruins. Unfortunately, this historically disputed lump of earth is once again floating directly between two proud lands, Ankh-Morpork and the city of Al-Khali on the coast of Klatch. And that’s enough to ignite the inglorious international pastime known as “war.”
It is, after all, every citizen’s right to bear arms to defend their own. Even if it isn’t technically their own. And even if they don’t have much in the way of actual weaponry. Pressed into patriotic service, Commander Sam Vimes thinks he should be leading his loyal watchmen, female watchdwarf, and lady werewolf into battle against local malefactors rather than against Klatchians. But war is, after all, simply the greatest of all crimes—and it’s Sir Samuel’s sworn duty to seek out criminal masterminds wherever they may be hiding . . . and lock them away.
As two armies march, Vimes faces unpleasant foes who are out to get him . . . and that’s just the people on his side. The enemy might be even worse.
The Discworld novels can be read in any order but Jingo is the 4th book in the City Watch collection and the 21st Discworld book.
The City Watch series in order:
- Guards! Guards!
- Men at Arms
- Feet of Clay
- Jingo
- The Fifth Elephant
- Night Watch
- Thud!
- Snuff
More Details
9781473588509
9780061807695
Excerpt
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Published Reviews
Booklist Review
The latest Discworld novel begins with the island of Lesht rising briefly from the Circular Sea and between Ankh-Morkporkh and its archrival Klatch. Both countries immediately become rivals for it, and war soon breaks out. The least bizarre thing that then happens is Sir Samuel Vimes, head of the Watch, organizing a six-person regiment of his old stalwarts for the invasion. Thereafter the yarn gets jumbled in a way that will befuddle those who have not come to terms with Pratchett's notions of plotting. It will also befuddle those unfamiliar with World War I, at which Pratchett's satirical heavy artillery is mostly directed in a salvo that culminates in Vimes becoming a duke for arresting both armies and thereby preventing war over Lesht, which sinks back into the sea before either side can claim it. This is one of the more demanding Pratchetts, and neophytes might better start the Discworld megasaga with an earlier book. Still, it conforms to Pratchett's high and humorous standards, which will gratify faithful fans. --Roland Green
School Library Journal Review
YA-Jingo, the twentieth Discworld novel to be published in the United States, is a worthy addition to the series. It's a quiet night. Maybe too quiet. Solid Jackson and his son are fishing the waters between Ankh-Morpork and Al-Khali when their boat runs aground. To their amazement, an iron chicken rises out of the water, followed shortly by the island of Leshp. Solid Jackson immediately claims the island as Ankh-Morpork territory. There's only one problem. Greasy Arif and his son are also fishing for Curious Squid, and Arif swears that the island belongs to Al-Khali. Both cities are determined to annex it. By jingo, this means war. Ankh-Morpork is outgunned and out-manned but the city's nobles don't plan to let that stop them from carrying on the noble traditions of chivalry and showing those Klatchians what's what. This book is just as funny, clever, and unpredictable as the previous titles. Pratchett fans will not be disappointed, and new readers will not be confused. Jingo expands upon the lives of characters from titles in the series, but readers don't need to be familiar with them to enjoy this one. It's fast-paced, with lots of twists and turns, unexpected events, and football.-Susan Salpini, Kings Park Library, Burke, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Reviews
The latest Discworld novel begins with the island of Lesht rising briefly from the Circular Sea and between Ankh-Morkporkh and its archrival Klatch. Both countries immediately become rivals for it, and war soon breaks out. The least bizarre thing that then happens is Sir Samuel Vimes, head of the Watch, organizing a six-person regiment of his old stalwarts for the invasion. Thereafter the yarn gets jumbled in a way that will befuddle those who have not come to terms with Pratchett's notions of plotting. It will also befuddle those unfamiliar with World War I, at which Pratchett's satirical heavy artillery is mostly directed in a salvo that culminates in Vimes becoming a duke for arresting both armies and thereby preventing war over Lesht, which sinks back into the sea before either side can claim it. This is one of the more demanding Pratchetts, and neophytes might better start the Discworld megasaga with an earlier book. Still, it conforms to Pratchett's high and humorous standards, which will gratify faithful fans. ((Reviewed June 1 & 15, 1998)) Copyright 2000 Booklist Reviews
School Library Journal Reviews
YA-Jingo, the twentieth Discworld novel to be published in the United States, is a worthy addition to the series. It's a quiet night. Maybe too quiet. Solid Jackson and his son are fishing the waters between Ankh-Morpork and Al-Khali when their boat runs aground. To their amazement, an iron chicken rises out of the water, followed shortly by the island of Leshp. Solid Jackson immediately claims the island as Ankh-Morpork territory. There's only one problem. Greasy Arif and his son are also fishing for Curious Squid, and Arif swears that the island belongs to Al-Khali. Both cities are determined to annex it. By jingo, this means war. Ankh-Morpork is outgunned and out-manned but the city's nobles don't plan to let that stop them from carrying on the noble traditions of chivalry and showing those Klatchians what's what. This book is just as funny, clever, and unpredictable as the previous titles. Pratchett fans will not be disappointed, and new readers will not be confused. Jingo expands upon the lives of characters from titles in the series, but readers don't need to be familiar with them to enjoy this one. It's fast-paced, with lots of twists and turns, unexpected events, and football.-Susan Salpini, Kings Park Library, Burke, VA Copyright 1998 School Library Journal Reviews