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Men At Arms
Terry Pratchett

Men At Arms

Quick Answer

Read "Men At Arms" as the 2nd book in the Ankh-Morpork City Watch series sequence. This follows the recommended publication order to preserve character development.

Sequence Warning

⚠️ Do NOT read before "Guards! Guards!" (Book 1)

❓ Can I skip this book?
❌ No — Required

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Verdict Insight: As the 2nd installment, this volume is critical for following the central narrative progression and plot development.

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"Unadulterated fun." —San Francisco Chronicle "Pratchett has now moved beyond the limits of humorous fantasy, and should be recognized as one of the more significant contemporary English-language satirists." —Publishers Weekly The fifteenth novel in the Discworld series from acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Sir Terry Pratchett, featuring a lycanthropic recruit and a sword in a stone! Corporal Carrot has been promoted! He’s now in charge of the new recruits guarding Ankh-Morpork, Discworld’s greatest city, from Barbarian Tribes, Miscellaneous Marauders, unlicensed Thieves, and such. It’s a big job, particularly for an adopted dwarf. But an even bigger job awaits. An ancient document has just revealed that Ankh-Morpork, ruled for decades by Disorganized crime, has a secret sovereign! And his name is Carrot . . . And so begins the most awesome epic encounter of all time, or at least all afternoon, in which the fate of a city—indeed of the universe itself!—depends on a young man’s courage, an ancient sword’s magic, and a three-legged poodle’s bladder.
Next Recommended Book

Jingo

Book #3 of 4 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

Our team of curators analyzes publication history, author interviews, and internal narrative continuity to establish the definitive reading sequence. This ensures zero spoilers and maximum narrative impact.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for Ankh-Morpork City Watch series conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading Men At Arms?

This book is essential to the core narrative and character development.

Can I read Men At Arms before Guards! Guards!?

No. We recommend reading Guards! Guards! first. Men At Arms is the 2th book in the series and follows the core narrative established in earlier volumes.

Is Men At Arms required reading for the Ankh-Morpork City Watch series?

Yes, it is a core installment in the series reading order and contains critical character development and plot progression.

What comes after Men At Arms in the reading order?

The next recommended book after Men At Arms is Jingo (Book #3).