Terry Pratchett

''YOU CANNOT INTERFERE WITH FATE. WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE WHO SHOULD LIVE AND WHO SHOULD DIE?''

Death comes to us all. When he came to Mort, he offered him a job.

Death is the Grim Reaper of the Discworld, a black-robed skeleton with a scythe who ushers souls into the next world. He is also fond of cats and endlessly baffled by humanity. Soon Death is yearning to experience what humanity really has to offer, but to do that, he''ll need to hire some help.

It''s an offer Mort can''t refuse. As Death''s apprentice he''ll have free board, use of the company horse - and being dead isn''t compulsory. It''s a dream job - until Mort falls in love with Death''s daughter, Ysabell, and discovers that your boss can be a killer on your love life . . .

''Incredibly funny, compulsively readable'' The Times

''Cracking dialogue, compelling illogic and unchained whimsy'' Sunday Times

Mort is the first book in the Death series, but you can read the Discworld novels in any order.

''It''s vital to remember who you really are . . . it isn''t a good idea to rely on other people or things to do it for you, you see. They always get it wrong.''

An eighth son of an eighth son is born, a wizard squared, a source of magic. A sourcerer.

Unseen University, the Discworld''s most magical establishment, has finally got its wish: the emergence of a wizard more powerful than ever before. You''d think they would have been a little more careful what they wished for . . .

As the sourcerer takes over the University and sets his sights on the rest of the world, only one wizard manages to escape his influence. Unfortunately for everyone, it''s Rincewind.

Once again the cowardly wizard must embark on a quest: to deliver a precious artefact - the very embodiment of magic itself - halfway across the Disc to safety. If he doesn''t make it, the death of all wizardry is at hand.

And the end of the world, depending on who you listen to.

''One of our greatest fantasists, and beyond a doubt the funniest'' George R.R. Martin

''May well be considered his masterpiece . . . Humour such as his is an endangered species'' The Times

Sourcery is the third book in the Wizards series, but you can read the Discworld novels in any order.

''PEOPLE OUGHT TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES ... THE PROBLEM IS, PEOPLE ONLY THINK FOR THEMSELVES IF YOU TELL THEM TO.''

Times are a-changing in Ankh-Morpork''s Night Watch.

New recruits have been hired to reflect the city''s diversity, including Corporal Carrot (technically a dwarf), Lance-constable Cuddy (really a dwarf), Lance-constable Detritus (a troll), and Lance-constable Angua (a woman ... full moons aside).

What''s more, Captain Sam Vimes is getting married and retiring from the Watch. For good. Which is a shame, because no one knows the streets of Ankh-Morpork or its criminal underworld better than him.

And someone armed and dangerous has been getting ideas about power and destiny and lost kings, committing a string of seemingly random murders across the city.

The new recruits will need to learn fast ...

''Funny, wise and mock heroic . . . the best-crafted book I have read all year'' Sunday Express

Men At Arms is the second book in the City Watch series, but you can read the Discworld novels in any order.

A nightmarish danger threatens from the other side of reality . . .

Armed with only a frying pan and her common sense, young witch-to-be Tiffany Aching must defend her home against the monsters of Fairyland. Luckily she has some very unusual help: the local Nac Mac Feegle ? aka the Wee Free Men ? a clan of fierce, sheep-stealing, sword-wielding, six-inch-high blue men.

Together they must face headless horsemen, ferocious grimhounds, terrifying dreams come true, and ultimately the sinister Queen of the Elves herself . . .

THE FIRST BOOK IN THE TIFFANY ACHING SEQUENCE

''They say that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.''

Everybody knows there''s no such thing as a female wizard. So when the wizard Drum Billet accidentally passes on his staff of power to an eighth daughter of an eighth son, a girl called Eskarina (Esk, for short), the misogynistic world of wizardry wants nothing to do with her.

Thankfully Granny Weatherwax, the Discworld''s most famous witch, has plenty of experience ignoring the status quo. With Granny''s help, Esk sneaks her way into the magical Unseen University and befriends apprentice wizard Simon.

But power is unpredictable, and these bright young students soon find themselves in a whole new dimension of trouble. Let the battle of the sexes begin . . .

''If you''ve never read a Discworld novel, what''s the matter with you?'' Guardian

''Pratchett uses his other world to hold up a distorting mirror to our own'' The Times

Equal Rites is the first book in the Witches series, but you can read the Discworld novels in any order.

''Anything you do in the past changes the future. The tiniest little actions have huge consequences. You might tread on an ant now and it might entirely prevent someone from being born in the future.''

Rincewind, inept wizard and reluctant hero, has found himself magically stranded on the Discworld''s last continent.

It''s hot. It''s dry. There was this thing once called The Wet, which no one believes in any more. Practically everything that''s not poisonous is venomous. But it''s the best bloody place in the world, all right?

And in a few days, it will die. The only thing standing between the last continent and wind-blown doom is Rincewind, and he can''t even spell wizard. Still . . . no worries, eh?

''A minor masterpiece. I laughed so much I fell from my armchair'' Time Out

''A master storyteller'' A. S. Byatt

The Last Continent is the sixth book in the Wizards series, but you can read the Discworld novels in any order.

''A charming, absorbing and somehow spacious piece of imagineering'' Guardian
__________________

1916: the Western Front. Private Percy Blakeney wakes up. He is lying on fresh spring grass. He can hear birdsong, and the wind in the leaves in the trees. Where has the mud, blood and blasted landscape of No Man''s Land gone?

2015: Madison, Wisconsin. Cop Monica Jansson is exploring the burned-out home of a reclusive (some said mad, others dangerous) scientist when she finds a curious gadget - a box containing some wiring, a three-way switch and a...potato. It is the prototype of an invention that will change the way Mankind views his world for ever.

And that is an understatement if ever there was one...
__________________

This is the first novel in The Long Earth series.

''We play and are played and the best we can hope for is to do it with style.''

Football has come to the ancient city of Ankh-Morpork. And now the wizards of Unseen University must win a football match without using magic . . . so they''re in the mood for trying everything else.

To do this, they recruit an unlikely group of players: Trev, a street urchin with a talent for kicking a tin can; Glenda, the night chef who makes a mean pie; Juliet, the kitchen hand turned world''s greatest fashion model; and the mysterious Mr Nutt, who has something powerful, and dark, locked away inside him . . .

And the thing about football - the important thing about football - is that it is not just about football. Here we go, here we go, here we go!

''This isn''t just football, it''s Discworld football. Or, to borrow another phrase, it''s about life, the Universe and everything'' The Times

''No one mixes the fantastical and mundane to better comic effect'' Daily Mail

Unseen Academicals is the seventh book in the Wizards series, but you can read the Discworld novels in any order.

''You should do things because they''re right. Not because gods say so. They might say something different another time.''

Religion is a competitive business in the Discworld. Everyone has their own opinion and their own gods, of every shape and size - all fighting for faith, followers, and a place at the top.

So when the great god Om accidentally manifests himself as a lowly tortoise, stripped of all divine power, it''s clear he''s become less important than he realised.

In such instances, you need an acolyte, and fast. Enter Brutha, the Chosen One - or at least the only One available. He wants peace, justice and love - but that''s hard to achieve in a world where religion means power, and corruption reigns supreme . . .

''An intriguing satire on institutionalized religion corrupted by power . . .'' Independent

''Deftly weaves themes of forgiveness, belief and spiritual regeneration'' The Times

The Discworld novels can be read in any order but Small Gods is a standalone.

'Imaginative, sense-of-wonder at its best . . . thrilling stuff from the masters' Independent on Sunday2040-2045: In the years after a cataclysmic eruption there is massive economic dislocation as populations flee to myriad Long Earth worlds. Sally, Joshua, and Lobsang are all involved in this perilous work when, out of the blue, Sally is contacted by her long-vanished father and inventor of the original Stepper device, Willis Linsay. He tells her he is planning a fantastic voyage across the Long Mars and wants her to accompany him. But he is not what he seems.For Joshua, the crisis he faces is much closer to home. He becomes embroiled in the plight of the Next: the super-bright post-humans who are beginning to emerge from their 'long childhood' in a hidden community located deep in the Long Earth. Ignorance and fear are causing 'normal' human society to turn against the Next - and a dramatic showdown seems inevitable . . .___________________The Long Mars is the third in The Long Earth series.

'HOLY WOOD IS A DIFFERENT SORT OF PLACE . . . HERE, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO BE IMPORTANT.'A new phenomenon is taking over the Discworld: moving pictures. Created by the alchemists of Ankh-Morpork, the growing 'clicks' industry moves to the sandy land of Holy Wood, attracted by the light of the sun and some strange calling no one can quite put their finger on...Also drawn to Holy Wood are aspiring young stars Victor Tugelbend, a wizarding student dropout, and Theda 'Ginger' Withel, a small-town girl with big dreams.But behind the glitz and glamour of the clicks, a sinister presence lurks. Because belief is powerful in the Discworld, and sometimes downright dangerous...The magic of movies might just unravel reality itself.'Funny, delightfully inventive, and refuses to lie down in its genre' - ObserverThe Discworld novels can be read in any order but Moving Pictures is a standalone.

'This didn't feel like magic. It felt a lot older than that. It felt like music.'Being sixteen is always difficult, but it's even more so when there's a Death in the family. Susan hasn't exactly had a normal upbringing, with a skeletal grandfather who rides a white horse and wields a scythe. When Death decides he needs a well-earned break, he leaves Susan to take over the family business. The only problem is, everyone mistakes her for the Tooth Fairy . . . Well, not the only problem. There's a new, addictive music in Discworld. It's lawless. It changes people. It's got a beat and you can dance to it. It's called Music With Rocks In. And it won't fade away . . . 'Genius . . . deals with death with startling originality' New York Times'His spectacular inventiveness makes the Discworld series one of the perennial joys of modern fiction' Mail on SundaySoul Music is the third book in the Death series, but you can read the Discworld novels in any order.

''A lie can run round the world before the truth can get its boots on.''

William de Worde has somehow found himself editor of Ankh-Morpork''s first newspaper. Well, with a name like that . . .

Launched into the world of investigative journalism, alongside reporter Sacharissa Cripslock, William soon learns that the news is a risky business. For a start, his colleagues include a band of axe-wielding dwarfs and a recovering vampire with a life-threatening passion for flash photography.

It''s a big news week: the most powerful man in the city has been arrested, leaving Ankh-Morpork without a leader. And a dangerous criminal organisation will do anything to control the story . . .

''An unmitigated delight . . . very, very funny'' The Times

The Discworld novels can be read in any order but The Truth is a standalone.

''IT WAS SO MUCH EASIER TO BLAME IT ON THEM. IT WAS BLEAKLY DEPRESSING TO THINK THAT THEY WERE US.''

War is brewing on the Discworld.

An island has appeared from the ocean depths, right in the middle of the sea which separates the proud empires of Klatch and Ankh-Morpork. Of course, no one would dream of starting a war with the neighbours without a perfectly good reason . . . such as a ''strategic'' piece of old rock, for instance.

But when a Klatchian Prince is almost assassinated, peace talks break down and violent nationalism begins to spread. Ankh-Morpork prepares to fight. Only thing is, they don''t have an army. Or much in the way of weapons.

Commander Sam Vimes and the ''officially disbanded'' City Watch get caught up in a deadly political game where the enemy appears to be on both sides and no one will listen to reason.

And if they don''t stop this absurd war, no one will . . .

''Generous, amusing and the ideal boarding point for those who have never visited Discworld'' Sunday Telegraph

Jingo is the fourth book in the City Watch series, but you can read the Discworld novels in any order.

''Destiny is important, see, but people go wrong when they think it controls them. It''s the other way around.''

Three witches gathered on a lonely heath. A king cruelly murdered, his throne usurped by his ambitious cousin. A child heir and the royal crown, both missing.

Witches don''t have these kinds of leadership problems themselves - in fact, they don''t have leaders.

Granny Weatherwax is the most highly regarded of the leaders they don''t have. But even she finds that meddling in royal politics is a lot more complicated than certain playwrights would have you believe. Particularly when the blood on your hands just won''t wash off . . .

''Pratchett''s Discworld books have made millions of people happy'' Guardian

''I love Terry Pratchett'' Caitlin Moran

Wyrd Sisters is the second book in the Witches series, but you can read the Discworld novels in any order.

''FOR THE ENEMY IS NOT TROLL, NOR IS IT DWARF, BUT IT IS THE BALEFUL, THE MALIGN, THE COWARDLY, THE VESSELS OF HATRED, THOSE WHO DO A BAD THING AND CALL IT GOOD ...''

In the city of Ankh-Morpork, tension is rising between dwarf and troll communities.

A dwarven fanatic has been stoking the flames of an old hatred born of the Battle of Koom Valley -an ancient war between the races that neither side has quite got over. When the dwarf is murdered, with a troll the only witness, Commander Sam Vimes of the City Watch must solve the case before history repeats itself.

With his beloved Watch crumbling around him and war drums sounding, Vimes must unravel every clue, outwit every assassin and brave any darkness to find the solution. But darkness is following him ...

And at six o''clock every day he must go home to read a bedtime story to his son. There are some things you have to do.

''Consistently funny, consistently clever and consistently surprising in its twists and turns'' SFX

Thud! is the seventh book in the City Watch series, but you can read the Discworld novels in any order.

From acclaimed authors Terry Prattchet and Stephen Baxter comes the last novel in the bestselling Long Earth series.

2070-71. Nearly six decades after Step Day and in the Long Earth, the new Next post-human society continues to evolve.

For Joshua Valienté, now in his late sixties, it is time to take one last solo journey into the High Meggers: an adventure that turns into a disaster. Alone and facing death, his only hope of salvation lies with a group of trolls. But as Joshua confronts his mortality, the Long Earth receives a signal from the stars. A signal that is picked up by radio astronomers but also in more abstract ways ? by the trolls and by the Great Traversers. Its message is simple but its implications are enormous:

JOIN US.

The super-smart Next realise that the Message contains instructions on how to develop an immense artificial intelligence but to build it they have to seek help from throughout the industrious worlds of mankind. Bit by bit, byte by byte, they assemble a computer the size of a continent ? a device that will alter the Long Earth?s place within the cosmos and reveal the ultimate, life-affirming goal of those who sent the Message. Its impact will be felt by and resonate with all ? mankind and other species, young and old, communities and individuals ? who inhabit the Long Earths?

'Always push your luck because no one else would push it for you.'Imprisoned in Ankh-Morpork, con artist Moist von Lipwig is offered a choice: to be executed or to accept a job as the city's Postmaster General.It's a tough decision, but he's already survived one hanging and isn't in the mood to try it again.The Post Office is down on its luck: beset by mountains of undelivered mail, eccentric employees, and a dangerous secret order. To save his skin, Moist will need to restore the postal service to its former glory, with the help of tough talking activist Adora Belle Dearheart. Who happens to be very attractive, in an 'entire womanful of anger' kind of way.But there's new technology to compete against and an evil chairman who will stop at nothing to delay Ankh-Morpork's post for good . . .'One of the best expressions of his unstoppable flow of comic invention' The TimesGoing Postal is the first book in the Moist von Lipwig series, but you can read the Discworld novels in any order.

Pratchett's perceptive and laugh-out-loud Discworld series is a literary phenomenon. And in The Last Hero, one aging hero with a grudge decides enough is enough. Beautifully illustrated throughout by Paul Kidby.A brand-new paperback edition of The Last Hero, featuring a new text design, glorious illustrations by Paul Kidby, and a brand-new cover by artist Leo Nicholls.'An enduring, endearing presence in comic literature' GuardianIt stars the legendary Cohen the Barbarian, a legend in his own lifetime. Cohen can remember when a hero didn't have to worry about fences and lawyers and civilisation, and when people didn't tell you off for killing dragons. But he can't always remember, these days, where he put his teeth...So now, with his ancient sword and his new walking stick and his old friends - and they're very old friends - Cohen the Barbarian is going on one final quest. He's going to climb the highest mountain in the Discworld and meet his gods. The last hero in the world is going to return what the first hero stole. With a vengeance.That'll mean the end of the world, if no one stops him in time.

Terry Pratchett in his own words

With a foreword by Neil Gaiman

Terry Pratchett earned a place in the hearts of readers the world over with his bestselling Discworld series ? but in recent years he became equally well-known as an outspoken campaigner for causes including Alzheimer?s research and animal rights. A Slip of the Keyboard brings together the best of Pratchett?s non fiction writing on his life, on his work, and on the weirdness of the world: from Granny Pratchett to Gandalf?s love life; from banana daiquiris to books that inspired him; from getting started as a writer to the injustices that he fought to end.

With his trademark humour, humanity and unforgettable way with words, this collection offers an insight behind the scenes of Discworld into a much loved and much missed figure ? man and boy, bibliophile and computer geek, champion of hats, orang-utans and the right to a good death.