One of my favourite Discworld books, a satire on the the press and an examination of 'truth'. The printing press has come to Ankh-Morpork and William De Word, a writer of a small newsletter for rich people has become the first editor of a mass publication daily paper. This is a multi-level book, its central plot is a whodunnit when Lord Vetenari seemingly goes mad and attacks his clerk, William De Word turns sleuthing reporter in an attempt to get to the 'truth'. It's also a book about power, about who is pulling the strings behind the scenes. If this wasn't enough, the contract heavies, Mr Pin and Mr Tulip, ask a question about the nature of evil.

On the lighter side, as they say in the paper, we have amusingly shaped vegetables, a vampire who's taken the pledge and Gaspode the talking dog. ( )

Terry Pratchett's books are always so much fun, and this one was no exception. The villians in this tale were particularly funny, especially Mr. Tulip. There were some laugh out loud moments, to be sure.

Okay, how can you not like this book? Again we are featured in Ankh-Morpork, in the dawning of a new revolution in print technology. Movable type. Now, can William de Word, the editor of the Ankh-Morpork Times live to sell their paper when they find out about the dastardly plot to incriminate the city's Patrician? ( )

This book made me laugh, a lot. Admittedly, it wasn't my favorite Pratchett book, but I liked it all the same. My favorite character was easily Otto the Vampire, although Mr. Tulip comes in at a close second. ( )

Absolutely classic. One of my favourites. Pratchett on top form with a wry blend of satire and puns.

William de Worde becomes the editor of Ankh-Morpok's first newspaper, despite everybody being traditionally against movable type, the Patrician feels it may be time to let the dwarves experiment a bit. However shortly afterwards the Patrician is invovled in a bizzare 'event' and the Watch arrest him. William asks questions and soon finds more answers than he expected.

The contrast between William's Times and Dribbler's Inquirer, quickly highlights everything that is wrong with the media in the world today. This is the central premise of the book obviously, but it leaves room for some fascinating byplay around it. In usual contrived Pratchett fashion some of the puns are somewhat extended, Harry King and muckrakers being one of them.

Downsides - Mr Pin and Mr Tulip are just odd, and take up proportionately too much of the plot. Other than the direct media play, there isn't much commentry on other issues, though we do get to see plenty of the twisted AM view of how life works, and where to take advantage.

If there's one take home message from reading this it is think about what "they" say. ( )