Ankh-Morpork City Watch series
Reading Order.
Start Ankh-Morpork City Watch series by Terry Pratchett with "Guards! Guards!", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.
The complete reading order for the Ankh-Morpork City Watch series series by Terry Pratchett. Below you'll find the authoritative guide on how to read the books in order, including publication dates and chronological timeline placements.
Reader's Guide
This series spans 4 main titles released between 2008 and 1999. For the best experience, we recommend following the Publication Order below to preserve key plot reveals.
Short Answer:
Start with "Guards! Guards!"
To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.
Community Consensus
"The provided comments analyze reading orders for Isaac Asimov's *Foundation* series and, to a lesser extent, the *Dragonlance* books. There is no information regarding the reading order for the "Ankh-Morpork City Watch series." For the Asimov series (which is the main topic of the posts), the consensus is to begin with the original Foundation trilogy."
Start with the original Foundation trilogy (Foundation, Foundation and Empire, Second Foundation). After that, readers must choose between continuing in publication order (trilogy -> follow-ups -> prequels) or adopting a hybrid chronological order that integrates the earlier Robots and Empire series.
At a Glance
- First Book:Guards! Guards!
- Latest Book:The Fifth Elephant
- Timeline:2008 - 1999
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.
Can I skip the short stories?
Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for Ankh-Morpork City Watch series. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.
I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?
Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "Guards! Guards!" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.
Why do people disagree on the order?
Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.
Recommended Reading Order Strategy
The authoritative way to read the "Ankh-Morpork City Watch series" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.
Complete Series Reading Order
Prefer Listening?
Best if you commuteGet the professional narration of "Guards! Guards!" free with an Audible trial.
Try Audible →Own the Physical Copy
Best value optionAdd "Guards! Guards!" to your library. Curated links ensure you get the correct edition.
View on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to skip books in the Ankh-Morpork City Watch series series?
We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.
What is the best order to read Ankh-Morpork City Watch series?
The final answer for the best experience is to start with "Guards! Guards!" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as Terry Pratchett intended.
Can I read Ankh-Morpork City Watch series books in any order?
No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.
Are there spin-offs or companion books?
Yes, the Ankh-Morpork City Watch series universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.