Monstrous Regiment 1ST Edition Signed Us

Hilariously funny, yet thought-provoking, classic work of the best fantasy writer in the world. Highly recommend this book to anyone who has already read some of TP's books or to those that are just embarking on the most colorful, laugh-out-loud odyssey through the elaborate world of fantasy that Terry Pratchett so masterfully creates.

Terry Pratchett has been gradually shifting from the compination of linguistic slapstick and outrageous fantasy that marks most of his Discworld novels to a more balanced style of humor and greater focus on the content behind the give and take of his characters. The Great Turtle gets no mention, and Death only gets bit parts. I'm not going to claim that Night Watch is a deep study in evil or that Monstrous Regiment is a feminist anti-war novel, but each picks up the threads of real human issues in addition to the wry humor which is Pratcheets hallmark.
The story starts out with Polly Perks, who as the daughter of a stodgy family in the even stodgier country of Brogravia, stands to inherit nothing unless she can track down her brother, who has disappeared into Borogravia's constant wars. This is no simple task in a society that worships Nuggan who has a habit of declaring things abominations. Things like jigsaw puzzles, rocks, accordion players, and, of course, anything independent done by a woman. Polly's solution - dress up as a man and enlist in the glorious Borogravian army.
Of course, nothing is ever as simple as it seems. Polly, her fellow enlistees, gruff Sargeant Jackrum, and the overly optimistic Lieutenant Blouse find themselves embroiled in the dirty, icky parts of war, a war which, contrary to public statements, is going very poorly. Gradually we discover (well, the title gives it away) that no one in this doughty group is what they seem. We find ourselves partaking in one of those journeys where a group or rank amateurs struggle to succeed, and manage to give everyone else a black eye in the process. Self-discovery with a wry twist.
War, when you are on the losing side, really is hell. Maledict the vampire has given up blood for coffee, Carborundum the troll worries about his crags, and young Wazzer believes he is the conduit for The Duchess, a particularly powerless and unwilling nouveau goddess. Role reversals happen every minute, and no one is sure who is wearing the socks in these thoroughly dysfunctional family. But the characters gradually grow from hapless to self-determined, and the reader can't help but cheer them on. And when all else fails, Igor can sew up the pieces.
In the process we get a rather candid display of Pratchett's own complicated views on military workings, the rigors of war and patriotism, and social attitudes towards women. It's not that he forces anything down your throat, but while he is making you smile and laugh at things, he is also making you think about them, which is one of the things that separates Pratchett from run of the mill sarcasm. Pratchett's facility with words, and his ability to draw memorable characters will once again win over the reader, as the have done countless times before.

Terry Pratchett books are usually very easy to read, partly because they're not written to be especially complicated and partly because they draw the reader in. His characters are realistic and even the non humans are very human.

If you're in the military, I highly recommend reading this book of his in particular. It shows who's really in charge in most units (senior enlisted), who knows what's going on, and that special relationship you can only really experience with your fellow soldiers and the people sitting with you at the bottom of the hill when the shit rolls down. It's entertaining, emotional, full of jabs at everything from religion to war.

This book comes in at about 400 paperback pages... which was big for a discworld novel at the time.

The book starts off great, and proceeds in typical Pratchett style until about page 240... then, things go downhill quickly. The fun/fast read is over, and it becomes a struggle to even finish the book.

I recommend GOING POSTAL instead, if you want a good example of a big/latter day book from the discworld series.

I love everything Terry Pratchett, but Monstrous Regiment isn't his best effort. If you haven't read Terry Pratchett before I recommend one of his other books first - I like reading them in order of publication anyway although it's not necessary. If you're an old fan, you'll like it (and maybe even better than I did).

Other reviews say this book is not like the others.I did not find a few of his works funny but still great.This work is good,it's a fun read and hard to put down.
I have read Pratchetts books at least 10 times each and find this one a good read.

This book is incredibly boring, with very little of the clever humor I've come to expect from Discworld. I usually enjoy the amusing footnotes, but there are very few of them in Monstrous Regiment. It's also a little "preachy" and the plot is predictable. Very disappointing.

Polly Perks cuts her hair and leaves home to join her nation’s army to find her brother and bring him home; however her act of defiance against her country’s social norms turns out to have consequences geopolitically. Monstrous Regiment, the 31st book of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series and the third of the Industrial subseries in which the vast majority of the book comes from Polly’s point-of-view in which gender, religious, and military issues play a big role in the narrative.

The nation of Borogravia is always at war in one neighbor or another, their god Nuggan is dead because they believe his Abominations more than him, and their ruler The Duchess is probably dead after not being seen for decades but is slowly becoming defied in replace of Nuggan. All of these things conspire to make Polly go to find her brother Paul in the Kneck valley and bring him home so that she doesn’t lose the family inn. After signing up, she and the rest of the new recruits become the new “lads” of legendary soldier Sergeant Jackrum but on the way to the front Polly finds that all the other recruits are also women having joined for their own reasons. Throughout the book, the regiment starts impacting the war on an international scale as the Anhk-Morpork Times details the adventures of the troop making them underdogs back home even as they oppose the alliance that Anhk-Morpork is a part of.

Although the geopolitical aspects of her regiments actions comes as a surprise to Polly, most of her concerns throughout the entire book is understanding a “woman’s role in a man’s world”, the insane religion they’re dealing with, and finally military culture between commissioned and non-commissioned officers. Pratchett’s use of real world issues into his fantasy world might annoy some readers but I thought it was handled well especially in his dry satirical style. The only really big irritation was that after a while the surprise of another woman-as-a-man in uniform lost its impact because you could basically guess who was going to be eventually revealed to be a woman, so it became less important and just Pratchett check off another reveal.

Monstrous Regiment deals with a lot of real world issues in a dry satirical style that Pratchett is famous for. Although the book’s long running gag of revealing women-as-men in uniform gets old and easy to predict as the book goes along, it doesn’t take away from the overall good quality of the book. If you’re a Discworld fan you’ll like this book but if you’re new to the series try another book first.

Polly Perks disguises herself as a boy and enlists in the Army of the Duchess Annagovia in order to find her beloved brother, Paul. Not only does she have to cut off her long, blonde hair (which is an abomination unto the local god, Nuggan), she also has to learn how to pick her nose, scratch her crotch, and fart loudly in public.

So far the Borogravian army very much resembles a major league baseball team.

By the time she has been enlisted for a day in the Tenth Foot (also known as the 'Ins-and-Outs') under the command of the sadistic Corporal Strappi, Polly is cursing every folksong she ever heard on the romance of disguising herself as a boy and following the drum. Her fellow recruits, including a troll, an igor, a vampire, and a religious nut, fare no better, although the corporal goes easy on the vampire.

Then Corporal Strappi learns that he himself is going to be sent to the front, along with his band of raw recruits, and steals off into the night. Now fat, jolly Sergeant Jackrum is in charge.

Anyone who has ever read a fantasy or gone to a movie where a cunning, experienced sergeant takes charge, will know that the new recruits are now in for the ride of their short lives. Polly's life perks up (sorry) when a shadowy figure in the privy hands her a pair of socks and advises her to stuff them into her trousers. The advice that comes with the socks:

"'It's a funny thing," said the voice, 'but they notice what's missing more than they notice what's there. Just one pair, mark you. Don't get ambitious.'"

Polly follows her mysterious friend's recommendation, and the rest of "Monstrous Regiment" is a jolly-but-serious series of Terry Pratchett-falls as the recruits capture their first prisoners-of-war, visit their first tent-of-ill-repute, and generally learn how to survive in a war that their country is definitely losing.

But if Borogravia is losing, why are the recruits being stalked by newshounds from Ankh-Morpork, who insist they're war heroes? Why has 'Butcher' Vimes put a werewolf on their trail?

And why, oh why did Private Polly have to kick the presumed Heir of Duchess Annagovia right in his sock drawer?

"Monstrous Regiment" is vintage Pratchett and if I ever decide to cross-dress and take the Queen's shilling, here is the book that will guide me.

This was my second Terry Pratchett book and I rushed into it after finishing Wee Free Men. I chose it because it was next in number of the Discworld novels. Expectations are unfortunate in how they may color an experience. I had hoped that it would be a continuation with an overlap of characters or elements between the two. There is not. My fault, my ignorance. Perhaps it is the unending rain, the ubiquitous mud, or the unending slaughter of senseless war, but the feel of this book is darker and less humorous. It is a complicated book with serious themes related to war, religion, gender, and class. It is very well-done and tightly written. Perhaps it is a bit too close to the absurd reality right now to be fun.

Montrous Regiment is a classic war story - Terry Pratchett style. It was like Bernard Cornwell's Richard Sharpe Series in Discworld.

The country of Borogravia has successfully ticked off all of its neighbors by centuries of invading everyone - and now the other countries are returning the favor. Polly, a girl, disguises herself as a boy to join the army. The catch is, she's not the only one who had the "sudden, strange fancy" to enlist. She joins the Ins-and-Outs, a regiment with a troll, a vampire, an Igor, and a bunch of other lads who volunteered out of...something. Sheer patriotism? Or does everyone have something to run away from?

Polly isn't the only one with a secret in this motley crew, but they need to band together as one.
The Monstrous Regiment might be the only troops left fighting for their country.

The stakes are high, Pratchett's wit and wisdom is profound, the religious commentary cuts deep...and those soldiers sure have very, very well-shaven faces.

Another excellent Discworld story.

Just when it seemed like Pratchett couldn't write a stand-alone story that wasn't bogged down by continuity, he wrote Monstrous Regiment.

Set in a Discworld equivalent of the Napoleonic wars, the book starts with a girl disguising herself as a boy to join the army and look for her missing brother. What follows is a twistex plot that unfolds at a rate of around one major surprise per chapter. Monstrous Regiment was so ingenious that I was still realizing details I had missed for the next day and a half.

Pratchett tackles a lot of weighty issues in this one: fundamentalist warfare, religion, oppression of women (more often than not by other women), abuse during incarceration, and he does it with his usual insight and panache. My only beefs were 1) I could have done without the last two big reveals. 2) "The only thing the carnivore character can eat now is the rest of the party" subplot was already done in the very first Discworld novel, with a similiar but slightly more satisfying outcome.* 3) I would have liked to see less talking and more adventuring. I get that Polly is a female soldier, and that she wants to be taken seriously as a warrior while at the same time relucant to stab some conscript in the back for taking a leak too near her campsite in the wrong uniform. But I would have liked to see her live by her wits instead of relying on intervention.

Still I gave it five stars since it's better than almost everything else out there.

* Frankly, if my best friend was going to murder me in a very literal sense if I didn't get him a Diet Pepsi, I'd put everything else on hold to find him a Diet Pepsi. Not just ask about Diet Pepsi whenever we stopped for gas.

The small Discworld nation of Borogravia is at war, a situation they tend to be in with alarming frequency. It's an inconsequential country whose citizens follow a god who is constantly adding to a list of abominations (the most recent inclusions were cats, cheese, and rocks).

Polly Oliver is a young Borogravian whose older brother has gone missing in battle, so out of a sense of familial duty, she decides to join the army to see if she can find him. But that's not as easy as it sounds since Borogravia's antiquated laws prohibit women from joining the army. But with the help of a haircut, some boy's clothing, and a pair of strategically placed socks, she's able to enlist.

She's assigned to a regiment of other newly enlisted soldiers consisting of a vampire, a troll, and an Igor, each with their own secret--which likewise requires an extra pair of socks. This group of soldiers, who have no business being in the army, begin to stand out due to their bravery, cunning, and overall higher-than-normal intelligence level expected from soldiers.

Monstrous Regiment is another great addition to the Discworld series. This time Pratchett aims his satirical guns at the armed forces, and at war itself. Religion suffers a little collateral damage as well, but only where deserved. My only complaint with the book is that it's one of the Nightwatch books within the Discworld series, but Sam Vimes, a fantastic character in that group of books, appeared far too infrequently.

Monstrous Regiment would be a good introductory book to the series if you've never read one before. There's really no backstory to be aware of since very few recurring characters make an appearance.

[For context's sake, I have been reading the Discworld books in publication order. Monstrous Regiment is #31.]

So Monstrous Regiment started out a little bit slow, but then it really grabbed me and I was very invested. Somehow Terry Pratchett can introduce a slew of new characters all at once and still make me care about each of them within a few dozen pages.

I loved the political commentary--there's a nation that is proud of being proud, that is "peace-loving," but picks a fight with all of its neighbors. There's a pompous and power-hungry prince who bites off more than he can chew. There are political machinations behind the scenes, with Vimes at the center. I was a bit sad that we saw so little of Vimes and the Watch, but it worked well. And if an entire proud nation is so far gone and has fallen so deeply into the traps of group-think, baseless patriotism, and false religion, how do you save it?

Of course the ultimate core commentary is different from what I expected, and expertly pulled off. It's not a one-tone note on women in leadership or in the military. It's layered and it's nuanced, and it's so fun to see everything come together. Aspects of the plot were predictable, but the reveal was still incredibly interesting and fun. I came into this book expecting an average Discworld story, but finished it having found one of my very favorites.

Monstrous Regiment

This is the first Terry Pratchett book I've read although I have listened to and enjoyed a few audio books.

It took me a little while to get into Pratchett's style of humour and writing, and I found some of the characters underdeveloped in the first quarter of the book (hence the 4 stars). I had trouble keeping up with who Lofty, Wazzer, Shufti and Tonker were in relation to one another. Then as the story unfolded it really got going - the plot becoming stronger with each chapter.

I hope this isn't the last we see of Polly and the Ins-and-Outs as the storyline and imagery was very engaging.

Terry P inspires a great deal of emotion with this book. The Ins and Outs - a group of young soldiers each has their own background and story. As a reader you are subjected to sadness, joy and laughter. The story itself is expressed well and played with very few faults. Clearly defined characters complement the narrative of the plot perfectly in the right places.

In conclusion, I found this to be an excellent story with engaging personalities and an expressive and enthralling storyline.

As it's my first of Terry's - would I read more - definitely!

Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett gives us another beautiful ability to take an old story arch, pick it up, shake it and give it a new twist that makes you laugh while reading the Discworld version. War has broken out on the Disc and Borogravia is recruiting the remnants of its population for one final battle. So Sgt. Jackrum ends up recruiting Polly aka Ozzer and a number of other strange characters, many of whom are using a razor for the first time and the benefits of always having a spare pair of socks. But even though their cursing isn’t up to army standards, Sgt. Jackrums “Little Lads” have a lot going for them including guidance from “The Duchess”. The Duchess tells them they must free themselves from the Nugganites because the God Nuggan is dead and his list of abominations (including the one against the color, blue) is no longer law. The Duchess also asks them to free her and stop praying to her for help dealing with Nuggan. Most of the book leads up to these final points as we watch Polly/Ozzer and company fight the good fight and end up with more than they thought they would.

Spoiler, quoted from Wikipedia, follows --

In the summer of 1558, [John] Knox published his best known pamphlet, 'The first blast of the trumpet against the monstruous regiment of women'. In calling the "regiment" or rule of women "monstruous", he meant that it was "unnatural". The pamphlet has been called a classic of misogyny. Knox states that his purpose was to demonstrate "how abominable before God is the Empire or Rule of a wicked woman, yea, of a traiteresse and bastard". The women rulers that Knox had in mind were Queen Mary I of England and Mary of Guise, the Dowager Queen of Scotland and regent on behalf of her daughter, Mary, Queen of Scots. Knox's prejudices against women were not unusual in his day; however, even he was aware that the pamphlet was dangerously seditious. He therefore published it anonymously and did not tell Calvin, who denied knowledge of it until a year after its publication, that he had written it. In England, the pamphlet was officially condemned by royal proclamation. The impact of the document was complicated later that year, when Elizabeth Tudor became Queen of England. Although Knox had not targeted Elizabeth, he had deeply offended her, and she never forgave him.

In the remote country of Borogravia, war is the national pasttime. The problem is that lately Borogravia has been as successful at war as the Detroit Lions are at football. Like desperate countries everywhere, though, they claim they're winning, despite the evidence to the contrary.

Because of all this war, villages are pretty much down to the elderly, children, and women. One of these women named Polly Perks decides to cut off her hair and join the army so she can find her brother Paul, who disappeared years earlier in the war with neighboring Zlobenia. She soon joins a regiment (really more of a squad) with other young people including a pyromaniac, a potential psychopathic killer, and schizophrenic, as well as a troll, a vampire, and an Igor--the latter being one of those hunchbacked assistants to mad scientists everywhere.

Though of course Borogravia is winning the war (wink, wink) there's no time to train the new recruits in warfare. But before they can get to the front, they come under attack from Zlobenian forces. Polly uses all her cunning to defeat the enemy, but from then on this monstrous regiment is on the run. Their only hope is to retake their country's stronghold and free the prisoners inside, including Polly's brother. To do so, though requires the regiment to put themselves in great danger from the enemy--and their own superior officers.

In "Jingo" Pratchett took on war from the perspective of the invader. Now in "Monstrous Regiment" it focuses mostly on the defender. The key point is that Polly and the other Borogrovians are not bad or evil. They're just doing their job and defending their country--and each other. It's the ones in charge, like the insane god Nuggan or the never-seen Duchess, who are the bad ones. That's good to remember because in any war there's a tendency to demonize the other side so that they seem like demons instead of real people. Otherwise it would be hard for a country to want to go to war and kill other humans not so different from them.

Though I'm sure this was unintentional, the conflict between Lieutenant Blouse and Sergeant Jackrum reminded me of Mailer's "The Naked and the Dead." In both the inexperienced young officer thinks he's in charge while the sergeant thinks he should be the REAL boss because of his experience and the officer should just be a figurehead. Things go much better for the lieutenant in this book though.

While Borogravia and Zlobenia sound more like the Balkans, there are references to the second Iraq war with the term "shock and awe" and the concept of embedded reporters. That allows readers to easily relate to the story, despite the presence of fantasy elements. William de Worde and Otto the vampire photographer of "The Truth" (Volume 25) make a cameo as the aforementioned embedded reporters while Sam Vimes and members of the City Watch also appear in the story.

The one knock I have on this book is one that I've had on a couple other of the Discworld ones. Sure there's a vampire, troll, and Igor in the regiment but they don't really contribute much to overall story. Actually the vampire and troll sit out most of the conclusion. Other than the vampire's jitteriness at needing coffee (to keep him from draining people's blood) that allows for a couple of Vietnam allusions predating "Tropic Thunder", he doesn't do much and the troll does less. At least the Igor serves as the medic. They could easily have not been in the book and it wouldn't have affected the story much. The example I used before was it's like having a few pieces left over after putting together a jigsaw. The pyro, schizo, and even the psycho all have their uses in the story, but the most monstrous characters seem just there to make the jacket sound more interesting. A pity.

Still, this is a good book with humor that doesn't dumb-down it's very non-humorous subject matter.

Join me now in a verse of "War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothin'!"

That is all.

Polly Perks disguises herself as a boy and enlists in the Army of the Duchess Annagovia in order to find her beloved brother, Paul. Not only does she have to cut off her long, blonde hair (which is an abomination unto the local god, Nuggan), she also has to learn how to pick her nose, scratch her crotch, and fart loudly in public.

So far the Borogravian army very much resembles a major league baseball team.

By the time she has been enlisted for a day in the Tenth Foot (also known as the 'Ins-and-Outs') under the command of the sadistic Corporal Strappi, Polly is cursing every folksong she ever heard on the romance of disguising herself as a boy and following the drum. Her fellow recruits, including a troll, an igor, a vampire, and a religious nut, fare no better, although the corporal goes easy on the vampire.

Then Corporal Strappi learns that he himself is going to be sent to the front, along with his band of raw recruits, and steals off into the night. Now fat, jolly Sergeant Jackrum is in charge.

Anyone who has ever read a fantasy or gone to a movie where a cunning, experienced sergeant takes charge, will know that the new recruits are now in for the ride of their short lives. Polly's life perks up (sorry) when a shadowy figure in the privy hands her a pair of socks and advises her to stuff them into her trousers. The advice that comes with the socks:

"'It's a funny thing," said the voice, 'but they notice what's missing more than they notice what's there. Just one pair, mark you. Don't get ambitious.'"

Polly follows her mysterious friend's recommendation, and the rest of "Monstrous Regiment" is a jolly-but-serious series of Terry Pratchett-falls as the recruits capture their first prisoners-of-war, visit their first tent-of-ill-repute, and generally learn how to survive in a war that their country is definitely losing.

But if Borogravia is losing, why are the recruits being stalked by newshounds from Ankh-Morpork, who insist they're war heroes? Why has 'Butcher' Vimes put a werewolf on their trail?

And why, oh why did Private Polly have to kick the presumed Heir of Duchess Annagovia right in his sock drawer?

"Monstrous Regiment" is vintage Pratchett and if I ever decide to cross-dress and take the Queen's shilling, here is the book that will guide me.

Polly Perks disguises herself as a boy and enlists in the Army of the Duchess Annagovia in order to find her beloved brother, Paul. Not only does she have to cut off her long, blonde hair (which is an abomination unto the local god, Nuggan), she also has to learn how to pick her nose, scratch her crotch, and fart loudly in public.

So far the Borogravian army very much resembles a major league baseball team.

By the time she has been enlisted for a day in the Tenth Foot (also known as the 'Ins-and-Outs') under the command of the sadistic Corporal Strappi, Polly is cursing every folksong she ever heard on the romance of disguising herself as a boy and following the drum. Her fellow recruits, including a troll, an igor, a vampire, and a religious nut, fare no better, although the corporal goes easy on the vampire.

Then Corporal Strappi learns that he himself is going to be sent to the front, along with his band of raw recruits, and steals off into the night. Now fat, jolly Sergeant Jackrum is in charge.

Anyone who has ever read a fantasy or gone to a movie where a cunning, experienced sergeant takes charge, will know that the new recruits are now in for the ride of their short lives. Polly's life perks up (sorry) when a shadowy figure in the privy hands her a pair of socks and advises her to stuff them into her trousers. The advice that comes with the socks:

"'It's a funny thing," said the voice, 'but they notice what's missing more than they notice what's there. Just one pair, mark you. Don't get ambitious.'"

Polly follows her mysterious friend's recommendation, and the rest of "Monstrous Regiment" is a jolly-but-serious series of Terry Pratchett-falls as the recruits capture their first prisoners-of-war, visit their first tent-of-ill-repute, and generally learn how to survive in a war that their country is definitely losing.

But if Borogravia is losing, why are the recruits being stalked by newshounds from Ankh-Morpork, who insist they're war heroes? Why has 'Butcher' Vimes put a werewolf on their trail?

And why, oh why did Private Polly have to kick the presumed Heir of Duchess Annagovia right in his sock drawer?

"Monstrous Regiment" is vintage Pratchett and if I ever decide to cross-dress and take the Queen's shilling, here is the book that will guide me.

Pratchett's latest effort takes us into a parody of the regimented life in the army as we follow Sir Samuel Vimes, hot off the press from Nightwatch, as he resumes his ambassadorial role. This time we move to the land of Borogravia, constantly at war with the Zlobenians and follow the story of Polly Perks who has learned how to act like a boy (with the aid of a few well-placed socks) and joined up with her fellow recruits, the vampire Maledict, Tonker Shufti, Wazzer, the troll Corfundum, Igor, and Lofty, to name a few, under the command of the self-important and nasty corporal Strappi and the quietly heroic Sergeant Jackrum. After losing Strappi, very quickly, Polly's secret is out (as is most of the last regiment) and they find themselves on the front line with no training (as the war's going badly but this cannot be mentioned). Nevertheless, they manage to surprise and overcome an advance scout group of heavy dragoons under the command of the disguised Prince Heinrich (there is a very amusing episode as Sergeant Jackrum neatly maneuvers his way around Discworld's `geneva convention'-equivalent). Gradually, they stumble their way past a skirmish at a clacks tower, bump into William de Worde and the delightful Otto Chriek, deal with Maledict's coffee withdrawl symptoms, and eventually end up dressing as washerwomen to gain entry to the Zlobenian-held Kreck keep. Once inside, the ever-surprising lieutenant Blouse manages to steers them, with Polly's excellent guidance, to freeing all the prisoners with some explosive help, restore control of the keep to Zlobenian hands and then avoid a court martial with de Worde's intervention before Polly moves onto her next misison.
Pratchett is without doubt the current master of satire across all genres. The subtety of his humour and his inoffensive parody is coruscating in its effectiveness, poking enjoyable fun at the establishment. By breaking all the usual rules our gallant ladies defy and rampage through the war with devastating effectiveness to show that in a war, there are no rules. Written with Pratchett's usual wit and razorsharp satire, this would come somewhere high up my list of Discworld recommended novels.

In Terry Pratchett's Discworld, a comic fantasy fun house mirror reflection of our world, he explores and satirizes the themes of war, leadership, gender roles. The setting is a particular corner of Discworld where the nation of Borogovia is continually at war with its neighbors. It is a place reminiscent of Fredrick the Great's Prussia, Hitler's Germany, and many other places in our world where warfare skipped lightly over rational aims to assume a monsterous life of its own. The protagonist, Polly, is a girl who disguises herself as a man to join Borogovia's army in order to find her brother. She hooks up with Sergeant Jackrum and his misfit recruits and many comical adventures ensue. A reader new to Pratchett's books will find it amusing and absurd. And they will find Pratchett's signature ability to preach great truths through non preachy humor and absurdist fantasy. Most Pratchett fans will be faintly disappointed that it isn't quite as funny as his prior work. When Pratchett works these tales he's honest in portraying death, loss, and grief as tangible problems even in the fantasy setting. He balances it with comedy, but he doesn't blunt it. One awkwardness in this book is that Pratchett uses many war cliches: the Cunning and Worldly Wise Sergeant and the Book Smart But Clueless Officer. In certain moments one can feel they've read this before in some other, possibly better, book. But the reason these cliches persist is because they are so often true. And while they outnumber original insights greatly, the whole amounts to a satisfying read.

Set in the strange world of Borogravia where living is practically an abomination, this tells the tale of Polly Perks as she disguises herself as young Oliver (socks and all) to get into the army to find her brother. Simple, right? Pfft, I should know better than to expect that from a Pratchett book by now. ^_^
The regiment in question soon fills up with some unexpected wannabe soldiers: a coffee-drinking vampire, a troll and an Igor, alongside the more normal, though no less disturbing, folk. And off they all tramp to be geared up and trained, only there's bugger all gear and training will be on the front line, which apparently isn't much of a front line. There's also the question of who knew Polly's secret and didn't rat her out.
It was certainly an interesting read, but a touch draggy after the previous books. Probably would've liked it more if I hadn't already read Night Watch.

Set in the strange world of Borogravia where living is practically an abomination, this tells the tale of Polly Perks as she disguises herself as young Oliver (socks and all) to get into the army to find her brother. Simple, right? Pfft, I should know better than to expect that from a Pratchett book by now. ^_^
The regiment in question soon fills up with some unexpected wannabe soldiers: a coffee-drinking vampire, a troll and an Igor, alongside the more normal, though no less disturbing, folk. And off they all tramp to be geared up and trained, only there's bugger all gear and training will be on the front line, which apparently isn't much of a front line. There's also the question of who knew Polly's secret and didn't rat her out.
It was certainly an interesting read, but a touch draggy after the previous books. Probably would've liked it more if I hadn't already read Night Watch.

Nothing is quite what it seems in this latest Discworld offering. Even the Discworld is not quite what Pratchett fans can identify. Magic is only like a whiff or shadow appearing from time to time. We encounter few of the regular heroes or places. Borogravia is not a major spot on the Discworld map. The small country is embattled in apparently never-ending wars with its neighbours about who knows what. Its rulers claim it to be a peace-loving place - thus it's always somebody else's fault. With so many battles, the army is running out of recruits so that a troll, a "reformed" vampire (having replaced his craving for blood with one for coffee), an "Igor" (known for his ability to stitch severed limbs and other missing parts back on people), a couple of lost youths with nothing better to do, and one following a religious calling, are enlisted. And, above all, a girl, disguised as one of the boys, wants to join the fun: Polly Perks or "Private Parts".
Polly is young, smart and courageous. With her hair cut short, in men's clothes and imitating some "typical" male habits, she easily fools the recruiting officers. Or does she? Polly has several reasons to join the war effort - she needs to find her soldier brother who has not been writing home. Also, she has not really much to look forward to in this country. Borogravia is run by a Duchess who may or not be alive, and Nuggan, the local deity, who issues strict rules for his followers, reflected in an ever expanding list of "Abominations". These become stranger as time moves on. They include a ban on the colour blue, having your picture taken, newspapers, or the use of garlic. Women's lives are especially restricted: not only should girls not wear trousers, they cannot own land, houses or run a business.
The story follows Polly, a skillful observer, who always asks pertinent questions. What is the purpose of the war, the upcoming battle, the enemy and the truth in all she hears and sees: "We are still winning this war, aren't we?!" Sergeant Jackrum, an old hand in the business of war, guides the motley crew of new recruits towards the battlefield. There is no time for training, really, but as the archetypical military father figure, he intends to "look after my lads". He maneuvers around Lieutenant Blouse, who knows everything about all the historical wars - from books. Blouse is more successful at redesigning filing systems than at giving orders to the squad. Then again, he shows surprising qualities when things get really tight.
Humour and irony in this story operate at various levels. So also does the social and political commentary. The daily military confusions of the recruits and personal interactions between them are often hilarious. Secrets are discovered, shared and hidden again. Sometimes it is not even clear who is fighting whom. William de Worde, the editor of the Ankh-Morpork Times and well known to Discworld fans, has his own assessment of the situation: "sometimes a country's system is so out of date that it's only outsiders that can see the need for wholesale change". The news business is also no longer what it was either...
There are many perfect one-liners and satirical gems that Pratchett has scattered throughout the book. From "shock and awe" to female tactics in close combat, you can smile, giggle or laugh out loud. But then again, the latter may get stuck in your throat when you think about the timely and topical messages being conveyed. This is, despite the Discworld fantasyland and its ludicrous conflicts, a serious book for serious people in serious times - and "no one has the right to be stupid." Questions remain at the end of the book and one wonders where Pratchett will go from here.
Monstrous Regiment is recommended for Discworld beginners or newcomers; fans will find some familiar territory and will broaden their horizons of the "mirror of worlds". [Friederike Knabe, Ottawa Canada]

Polly Perks is confronted with a dilemma. She's very bright and her mother has taught her how to read and write, which has become an Abomination Unto Nuggan, the local god. She tends her father's bar and understands the business, but in Borogravia --- ruled by the tyrannical god Nuggan and his human counterpart, The Duchess --- no woman can actually operate a business because that too is an Abomination Unto Nuggan. Art, music, jigsaw puzzles and rocks have also recently been declared as Abominations in a rapidly deteriorating country that is losing its war.

The trouble is that her brother Paul, the only legal heir to the lucrative pub, is off to the wars with neighboring Ankh-Morpork, who has been captured or is perhaps dead, so Polly's future looks rather bleak. Paul is a gentle soul by nature, an artist who of course can't practice his craft due to Nugganism and has no head for business. With him installed as legal owner ... well, you see Polly's problem. She needs to find Paul, bring him home, and set him up as owner so she can secure her future --- or else it's the Workhouse (or worse) for Polly.

So she crops her hair, dresses up like a boy, and runs off to join the regiment. This is of course an Abomination Unto Nuggan, but Polly is nothing if not resourceful and with the quiet help of someone who whispers helpfully from behind a wall when she's relieving herself in the privy that a carefully placed pair of socks might fool the casual onlooker, Polly becomes Oliver Perks and her adventures begin. Polly, cum Oliver, takes her duties as a private seriously. When she finds herself feeling aggressive and even belligerent, she blames it on the socks. In fact, after cursing or belching she often thinks to herself, "It's the socks talking, there."

Her fellow soldiers in the Monstrous Regiment consist of (remember this is Discworld) a motley assortment of what's left of Borogravian young manhood: a Troll, a vampire, an Igor (Igors are a special class of being on Discworld --- they make excellent field medics because of their skills in stitchery and, er, recycling body parts). Also enlisted are three other young lads, all under the eagle eye of Sergeant Jackrum, veteran of legendary battles and the stuff folk songs are made of.

This extraordinarily amusing book is a homage to Terry Pratchett's huge following of well-educated women, which make up a surprising majority of his vast readership. In fact, until J. K. Rowling came along, Pratchett held something of a record in book sales in Great Britain, acquiring an O.B.E. in literature from the Queen. He has caught on in a big way with American readers who enjoy his droll satire. Only a few of the books in the 28 volume-series on Discworld feature women. The Wyrd Sisters (a group of erstwhile Witches), Angua (a female werewolf in Ankh Morpork's Watch) and Commander Vimes's wife are among the few female protagonists. With MONSTROUS REGIMENT, we are introduced not only to Polly Perks but also to some other rather astonishing heroines. Elaborating on them though would spoil the tale.

Pratchett has outdone himself with MONSTROUS REGIMENT --- a feat that might be hard to imagine after so many books. It is fresh, witty as ever, and brings a whole new look to Ankh Morpork. One might be tempted to compare this tale to our conflict in the Middle East, if one was of a mind to take Pratchett with more than a grain of salt.

--- Reviewed by Roz Shea

Plot Summary: Polly Perks' brother has been missing since he joined the army in the small, feisty Borogravia. To find him, Polly decides to join as well. Unfortunately there are strict rules in Borogravia and females joining the army is very much against the rules, not to mention an Abomination unto Nuggan. Polly will not be deterred so she cuts off her hair and signs up dressed as a man. Polly is not the only oddity in this regiment, a troll, vampire, and a few other surprises abound.

Opinion: I enjoyed this book and it had a few good chuckles. It is pretty singleminded and not as great as some of the previous Discworld books, but still good. Sexism, military zealousness, and religious fanaticism are all object of Pratchett's wit and observations in this book. Basically the women in this book (Polly included) can get anywhere in life they want with a meer strategic placement of a pair of socks. And the repeated use of the "socks" jokes were highly enjoyable, my favorite running gag. The concluding revelations about the regiment were a bit predictable and a bit of a letdown in that it was overdone and lost effect on me. Sam Vimes and a few of the Watch characters have minor cameos in this story, otherwise its a pretty fresh cast.

Recommendation: If you are a Discworld reader, you will read this regardless of the reviews of anyone, I am guessing. If you are not already a Discworld afficionado, then why are you starting with book 27 in the series? Get the first 26, then read Monstrous Regiment. It's better than some and worse than others in the series. But Pratchett is always worth a read, 4 out of 5 stars.

There are a lot of books in the Discworld series. Believe me when I say that I am not overemphasizing the term "a lot". But someone who has never read any of the previous books need not fear that he or she will be lost and confused by diving into "Monstrous Regiment". Many of the characters have rich, personal histories that fans have followed over the course of several volumes. It's not necessary, though, to know all about Sam Vimes, for instance, because although he has been the lead character in other books, he plays a secondary role in this one and that role is quite clear without knowing heaps of backstory.

I highly recommend reading "Monstrous Regiment" but I don't think it should be the very first volume of the Discworld series a new fan picks up. It's really better to start with the first book, "The Color of Magic", and read through a few.

I say this because I view "Monstrous Regiment" as the second in a new Discworld series, of sorts. This book and the one before, "Night Watch", have a decidedly different, more mature tone. Some Pratchett fans might be disappointed by the writer's turn, but I say that everyone has to grow up sometime -- even authors. Frankly, although the first Discworld books were hilarious, it became quite clear to me that Pratchett ran out of steam. The later books weren't as funny and were sort of repetitive. In other words, after "Hogfather", I think the whole series goes a bit sideways.

"Night Watch" was really different and it shocked me. I didn't like it too much, but I appreciated that Pratchett was trying to do something different. With "Monstrous Regiment", I think he actually accomplished this. It's not only a brilliant commentary on how men treat women (and how women often treat other women) it's a scathing indictment of what happens to a country that is too war-like. I think, considering when it was written, he might have been talking about our own fair, US of A. But, I wasn't insulted; Britain's had plenty of blood on its hands over the centuries, so who knows who he was talking about, specifically.

Terry Pratchett has always been a good writer, but he's gotten better over the years, so I think the first books of the Discworld series are best for the new Pratchett reader so that they can be enjoyed on their own level. They don't have the gravitas or complexity of his newest books, but they shouldn't be missed.

"Monstrous Regiment" is the twenty eighth novel in Terry Pratchett's hugely popular Discworld Series. A former journalist and press officer, he has gone on to win the Carnegie Medal for "The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents" and was awarded the OBE in 1998.

Polly Perks lives in Munz, a town in Borogravia - a country with distinct similarities to Oceania, the setting for George Orwell's "1984". Pictures of the Duchess, Borogravia's own Big Brother, are everywhere, while the country has always been at war with one or other of its treacherous, devious and evil neighbours. The current enemy is Zlobenia, a country that is allied to the foul and lewd Ankh-Morpork. Indeed, that sinful city has even sent Vimes the Butcher and its soldiers to Zlobenia's aid. Religious people pray to the Duchess, rather than Nuggan (the local God). However, she hasn't been seen for thirty years, and many people believe that she is dead. (Many people also believe that Borogravia is losing the war, but nobody dares express either belief). Nuggan, meanwhile, seems to be a spiteful God - his list of abominations includes the color blue, shirts with six buttons, garlic, dwarfs and babies. Luckily for the size of his congregation, few observe the complete list of abominations (ahem) religiously, though some try to avoid looking at the sky.

There are two notable buildings in Munz : the Girls Working School (where the bad girls are sent) and "The Duchess", the local tavern. Polly lives at "The Duchess", which is owned and run by her father. Her mother is dead, and her brother has been missing for quite some time, after having joined the army. Polly wants him home for a number of reasons : bluntly, he wasn't very good at looking after himself, and his absence is proving very difficult for their father. Furthermore, under Nuggantic law, Polly wouldn't be allowed to inherit "The Duchess" if anything happened to her father - which means the Perks family would lose their business. Polly decided to find and rescue her brother - the most obvious way to do this is to disguise herself as a boy and join the army. Having learnt to pick her nose and break wind, she cuts her hair, assumes the name 'Oliver' and joins the Tenth Foot Light Infantry (better known as the In-and-Outs and / or the Cheesemongers). Polly isn't the only new recruit - the others include a troll (called Carborundum), an Igor (who, like all Igors, is called Igor) and a vampire (called Maladict). Maladict, mercifully, is a Black Ribboner - he hasn't touched any human blood in over two years. Sergeant Jackrum, meanwhile, runs the regiment - a very famous soldier who is determined to look after his 'little lads'. Despite this, the Cheesemongers are sent to the front lines with shoddy equipment and no training. To make matters worse, it isn't long before someone sees through Polly's disguise. In a dark latrine, someone suggests she completes it with a strategically-placed pair of socks. This both worries and confuses Polly : someone has caught her out, but has also decided to help her...

Like everything else I've read by Pratchett, this is an excellent book. It's a little less silly than many of the previous instalments, but there are still plenty of laughs. It's easily read, and features plenty of likeable characters- particularly Jackrum.

Borogravia has declared war on all of its neighbors, depopulated its land, and its last army is now bottled up and waiting to starve. Even mighty Ankh-Morpork has been drawn in when Borogravia's god declares the Ankh-Morpork telegraph system an abomination (just about everything, from stones to the color blue have been declared abominations by Borogravia's god). Worse for Borogravia's hopes of winning, Ankh-Morpork has sent Lord Vimes to oversee its operations. But Borogravia isn't prepared to give up. It's recruiters are scouring the country for anyone to fill the uniform and be thrown into service. So, when a woman, a vampire, an igor, a woman who talks to the supposedly long-dead Duchess, and a troll try to enlist, Sergeant Jackrum signs them up.
Jackrum's company is about the most unlikely group of heros ever to enlist, but Borogravia doesn't really need heros--heros have gotten them into the problems they have. Instead they need practical. And Jackrum and his group are exactly that--and something that Vimes sees as an opportunity to solve some of his problems as well. Through a series of misadventures and very good reporting, Jackrum's group become famous, get a chance to kick a prince in the uh, socks, and generally change the history of Discworld.
Author Terry Pratchett delivers a wonderfully funny, thoughtful, and timely story. MONSTROUS REGIMENT combines laugh-out-loud humor with a thoughtful commentary on war and the human condition (with human being defined broadly, of course). If you aren't already a Pratchett fan, MONSTROUS REGIMENT will make you one. If you are, you're probably already looking for an excuse to sit down and read it. Well, don't wait any longer, soldier. Get it done.

This tale of cross-dressing soldiers brought a smile to my face, in a way that only Terry Pratchett can! I can only imagine that, back in the day, women really did dress as men to be able to join the military.

While giving bit parts to some old favorites, Pratchett introduces a whole new cast of characters to entertain the reader, in this book. Continuing with the theme of all Pratchett books, this will make any reader laugh, not only at the fantastical humor but also at the silly puns incorporated within...

This is another of the Discworld series that does not require having read any of the previous books to be able to enjoy it. It would be a great stand alone novel for someone looking for a quick read.

And ladies, remember that socks are the key...

Courtney Conant
Author of The Blood Moon of Winter (Land of Makayra (Volume 1))

That said, please take this review with a grain of salt. I love Discworld, I will always love it and nothing can change that. This book made me laugh out loud a few times, and I even may have shed a small tear or two.

The Premise is this. Polly disguises herself as a boy to go into the army, she thinks she's doing well until a mysterious benefactor gifts her with .. a pair of socks? She then gets a bit 'socky' as she calls it and decides that army life is for her.

Hilarity ensues and revelations of mammoth proportions are er, revealed. I love this book as much as I do the other 20 or so. Grimes is in it, he is a favorite character. I missed Vetenari though, as his mean evil self is always good in any book.

Death makes a small cameo role, but not enough in my opinion. Never can have too much of Death in a Discworld Novel. He is the man, Death is. AND HE SPEAKS IN ALL CAPS. So, with this in mind, that I am insane about this series, you can give this book a try as you will enjoy it without having read the other ones. I do recommend them though, they are worth the effort to find them. Terry Pratchett is one of my favorite authors ever. I continue to buy his books in hardcover, I can never wait until they come out in paperback.

He writes the most zaniest characters I have ever read. My favorite scene in this book is when the vamp goes after 'first blood' *insert Stallone sneer here* Its good, its funny and its just plain goofy. Give it a go.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Monstrous Regiment, and it has made it into my "stranded on a desert island" collection.

Monstrous Regiment, along with Small Gods, ranks among Terry Pratchett's most complex novels. Again, Pratchett showcases his astute, and scarily accurate, understanding of human nature.

The world of Monstrous Regiment is upside down. Down is up, white is the new black, and the lines between wrong and right are delightfully blurred. Anyone coming into this looking for a clear-cut lecture is going to be sorely disappointed.

Readers are cleverly lulled into rooting for a ragtag band of warriors, but to root for the success of these warriors is to hope for the success of troublemaking, out of control, rogue nation. As a group, the Borogravians are trouble. Individually, however, they are not that bad. It is not long before the reader forgets that this likable band of `brothers' are the bad guys.

Pratchett does something unexpected in Monstrous Regiment. He humanises the enemy. It is hard to blindly hate people with whom you can identify, and even harder to dismiss collateral damage when you know their names.

The other side also receives an unusual treatment. Pratchett shows quite clearly that it (the other side) is justified in its actions. There is no doubt anywhere in the novel that Borogravia is a problem. Yet, the other side is thoroughly unlovable. In fact, the head good guy is a pompous, arrogant, insufferable horse's hiney.

Monstrous Regiment is not for made easy for the reader. Pratchett makes a point of not telling the reader exactly how it relates to current events, and certainly does not tell them how or what to feel.

Borogravia could be any country in any time. The attitudes and feelings of Borogravians do not have to be restricted to tiny, resource-starved, rogue nations. Borogravia is more like a national state of mind.

This is for the reader looking for Terry Pratchett doing what he does best - satire.

Long-standing fans of Discworld know how Pratchett explores many levels in his books. MR achieves a new degree of intensity in examining the human tendency for conflict. The "fantasy" aspects of the Discworld are nearly abandoned in this story of war and soldier life. To be sure, there's a vampire, a troll, and Angua the werewolf. An Igor completes the team in a special, rather cutting, role. None of these "fantasy" characters can avoid being dominated by their human aspects. Pratchett enhances his ability to show us to ourselves. While his humour carries us along in following the tale, the underlying theme remains clear. War is a distinctly human enterprise.
Polly Perks seeks her missing brother in the middle of a conflict none can explain nor justify. Hiding the fact that she's a girl, she slashes her golden curls, dons boys' clothes [including "special purpose" socks] and enlists to seek him out. Her military career is fraught with risk, but not just from battle. If she's exposed, the wrath of Nuggan, the local deity, will be boundless - dressing as a man is an Abomination. As are cats, the colour blue, garlic and a host of social ills. These are lined out in the Appendix of a bible - with the Appendix larger than the main inspirational text.
In Sam Vimes' view, Polly has entered a life of crime, but not through her cross-dressing. He thinks "war is a crime - like murder". Sam, Commander of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch, has been sent to make a peace. When the stakes are as high as these - who rules the country - the task becomes Herculean. As with most wars, this one uses high moral purpose to camouflage baser selfish motives. A prince seeks power. Polly, along with her meagre "regiment" is caught up in the forces this war for rule has unleashed. They are ill-equipped and untrained for their task. Even so, Polly's first skirmish with the enemy has enduring results.
Pratchett, using Polly's voice, has produced his finest work. He delves into military life, the vagaries of monarchy, and the shams of religion. He exposes many nerves in this book, but with a gentle finesse. He encourages the open mind while appealing to those who haven't taken the trouble to even ask questions. Polly asks and confronts many of these queries. She examines the answers in light of what is occurring around her. She's sharp and alert. She has to be, hiding her identity from friend and foe alike. She learns to belch, pick her nose and walk swaying her shoulders instead of her hips. Is this what's important? Pratchett takes us to the abyss of gender politics, reveals its deceptive simplicity, and leads us away. To confront a yet more fundamental horror. He is adept at surprising the reader, accomplishing that again here with his usual aplomb. Once again, he's "mirrored" our world. Take a close look and see if you are imaged here. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa]

Join up! Fight for your country! Serve the Duchess! Join the Monstrous Regiment, with it's full compliment of trolls, vampires and, well, women...
Polly Perks disguises herself as a man in order to enlist in the army, to go and find her brother, lost on the battlefields at the edge of the Kingdom. The Kingdom is Borogravia, and, of course, there's a war on. There's always a war on. The little repulic of Borogravia is a war-like nation, with a penchant for generation-long feuds and border disputes with its neighbours. But, now those neighbours have formed an alliance (indeed, you might wonder what took them so long) and their forces are marching on Borogravia, and it's going to be up to the Monstrous Regiment to use all it's resources to win the day...ALL it's resources.
You get the impression when reading this that it was great fun to write. Great fun to write. That's because it's great fun to read. It's hardly the greatest Discworld book, however. Some of the themes are merely only touched upon, and you do get the sense that Pratchett was just going through the motions a little, concentrating on the fun of writing it, rather than trying to eke out depth and meaning upon meaning which some of his very best books do. NEVERTHELESS, this is still excellent stuff, and there's no way it should get less than five stars.
It's great fun to acquaint yourself with new characters and new scenery, as this is completely new territory for Pratchett. And some of those characters, too, are brilliant...especially the marvellous Sergeant Jackrum, who we really should see more of, and the delightful vampire Maladict, who just oozes intellectual superiority. The mountain of cameos is also quite entertaining (Vimes, Angua, William de Worde, DEATH, Buggy Squires, Reg Shoe) but because they don't really serve a great purpose, that adds to the initial feeling that this is, actually, not quite Discworld-lite, but Discworld-a-little-bit-liter-than-Night-Watch, which was so heavy I felt like I'd read a piece of lead (but, still, five stars again.) Because, of course, this isn't lite at all. It's just a little less serious. There are some very good notions and ruminations on war which Pratchett explores, and actually some very moving moments, which I really wasn't expecting. Pratchett doesn't normally do "moving", but there were definitely one or two occasions of it here... He also has a nice amount of fun exploring gender-confusion, men dressed as women dressed as men, etc. Indeed, he's beginning to display an almost Shakespearean fondness for having his characters dress up as the opposite sex.
All in all, I reccomend this unreservedly to the Pratchett fan, and also think that it's probably not too bad a place for a newbie to begin... It's fun and funny, and definitely worth your time.
Now we can all get busy looking forward to his next "Young Adult" (ha!) effort, A Hat Full of Sky, due next Spring...

Monstrous Regiment is not as funny as Discworld novels mostly are; in fact, it's the best work Terry Pratchett had conjured in quite some time, possibly second to The Truth. It's not the laugh-a-minute, surreal fantasy-comedy that Terry had become famous for; it's actually much more satire than parody, and the humor is therefore much more subtle and less, shall we say, 'jokey'. Terry gives us very little of the familiar Discworld faces or places; many fans have found that to be a downside, as well. In fact, those were the very reasons I found 'Monstrous Regiment' so good. I feel that, despite all my love for them, the old, old Discworld characters - Sam Vimes, Carrot, Rincewind, Granny Weatherwax, Nanny Ogg, Susan and the rest - have become quite repetitive over the last few years, especially Vimes who been quite overplayed recently. In 'Monstrous Regiment', he plays a minor role in which he excels. Death, too, is given a very brief cameo, and William De Worde and Otto (from 'The Truth') also grant a couple of cameos (although William is a character that had not yet fulfilled his potential, at least not as a supporting actor).

Instead, we have a remarkably large cast of new characters, and the strangest part of it is - most of them are sane. The lead characters in 'Monstrous Regiment' are exquisitely 'normal' in Discworld standards, and though at first it seems like the cast includes 'a troll, a vampire, and Igor and A FEW OTHER GUYS' they all turn out to be very individual and well-rounded characters. Terry leans on character development here more than he ever did before, and lo! - there are hardly any physical descriptions of the characters, and yet we get to know each one individually through their actions, their behaviors, personalities, motives and past. In fact, the troll and the Igor (there was one of those in every Discworld novel for some time now) are surprisingly normal too, though they're probably the weakest characters and are there mostly for a few gags and some comic relief. The vampire is actually one of the most fascinating characters in the novel, yet he doesn't even speak with a funny accent! Altogether, 'Monstrous Regiment' is not the story of one level-headed, sane character surrounded by madmen, like so many of Terry's novels; it's the story of entirely sane people in a mad world. As Vimes himself wonderfully puts it, a country can be insane even though all the people in it are completely sane and normal.

And that's the gist of it really. This little sentence rings very much true in the context of every war we have in the world. It's easy to say that 'Monstrous Regiment' is a satire about Islam and some parts of it may be, but it's true for every war there ever was and it's the kind of book people should take notice of. And that's why, even though - BECAUSE it's not filled with gags and wordplay, but with truly deep and observant satire. And if you think Terry and depth don't go together, read back to 'Small Gods', probably the best book in the whole series, and the one most easily comparable to 'Monstrous Regiment'. Maybe the fact that I served in the army myself helped a bit with some of the humor (I had a desk job actually, but I did get to meet my share of Sarges and Ruperts and Terry captures them perfectly) but I do think that this book is relevant to any place and any times. It takes a bit more thinking than your usual Discworld novel, but is well worth it.

I'm still slightly ashamed of enjoying the Discworld™ novels as mush as I do. I started reading Pratchett when I was 14 and I've read all his books in order since then. I burned through this one in two days and I don't know if it's the fact that they're practically all made up of conversation, have "chapters" than rarely span more than three pages or because they don't require much in the way of deep thought that makes them so readable.

Anyroad, this one is about a young lady who goes to war disguised as a bloke and how she shapes the history of her nation. Although there's the usual Discworld characters- Werewolves, Trolls, Vampires, etc., this one's quite light on the magic, concentrating more on gender politics and the inherent absurdity of war.

If you've read Pratchett's other books and liked the ones with wizards and Rincewind best, this may be a tad disappointing. If you've never read any of his books before, this isn't the worst place to start, as you don't need much in the way of a backstory and it'll introduce you to his esoteric style. If you've read lots of his other books, then you'll need no persuading for this one; I've never met a person who's just read two or three discworld novels. You're either a fan, working your way through all 30 or so, or someone who can't be doing with worlds carried on the back of elephants and turtles and footnotes on every other page. So, in summary, not his funniest, nor most thought-provoking, but still undeniably enjoyable reading.

As the Discworld series continues to evolve, it seems to move frightfully close to our world. No longer bogged down in a plethora of characters and fantastic fictional characters, Pratchett seems to be poking fun at the modern world via a direct route.

In "Monstrous Regiment", Pratchett mocks wars over land claims (aren't all wars essentially fought for land?). As if mocking the absurdity of war was not enough, Pratchett makes the main characters a regiment of women of various species disguised as men. The main character Oliver/Polly enlisted to find her brother. The other women enrolled with a similar motive of finding a man in their life. As the book moves at a rapid pace, we find that there are more women in the army than we are led to believe. For those familiar with British humor, the women dressed as men can not help but be pictured as the Monty Python-esque Pepperpots.

"Monstrous Regiment" moves at a quick pace and tells a story that I perceive to be very engaging. Certainly many of the negative reviews received by this book are a result of this Discworld novel omitting many of the usual Discworld characters. Once readers get past the fact that this is not the usual Discworld novel, they are certain to enjoy it.

This trip to Discworld takes us into Borogravia, home of constant warfare that generally stem from the most ridiculous reasons imaginable. Into the conflict comes young Polly Perks, a barmaid who needs to find her brother before the family loses the family tavern. As women are not permitted to be soldiers as it is "an abomination unto Nuggan." the deity whose concerns are constantly becoming more and more outrageous, Polly pretends to be a man and joins up with a ragtag group that include a vampire, a troll, and an "Igor." Everyone has their own secrets and the troop goes off to war.

This episode of Discworld is a bit predictable. The conflicts and concerns of war are ample fodder for farce and Pratchett makes the most of the setting, but the storyline and the "surprises" within are far too predictable. Pratchett does have an opportunity to give some more depth to his world, but I found myself missing Ankh-Morpock and its denizens (although a few make an appearance). An departure from the norm and still enjoyable, but hopefully Borogravia will only make an occasional appearance.

When a recruiter comes to town young Polly sees a chance to go and find her missing brother. Her brother joined the army and she has not seen him since then. She feels responsible for his joining and now feels it is up to her to rescue him.

By dressing as a boy Polly soon finds herself under the command of a formidable NCO. But while maintaining her secret identity Polly learns some of the truths about war and discovers that someone knows her secret. In her group are also a troll, a vampire and an Igor (as well as a number of humans).

Meanwhile Vimes is about representing Ankh-Morpork which is trying to put an end to this small war. Somehow Polly and company are at the center of getting everything resolved. Unfortunately they are more resourceful than expected.

The book follows Polly and company as they head for the front and a final resolution (and revelations). The book is full of the wit and humor typical of most of the Diskworld books and had me laugh out loud a couple of times (a rare occurrence). A fine addition to the series.

Polly Perks is confronted with a dilemma. She's very bright and her mother has taught her how to read and write, which has become an Abomination Unto Nuggan, the local god. She tends her father's bar and understands the business, but in Borogravia --- ruled by the tyrannical god Nuggan and his human counterpart, The Duchess --- no woman can actually operate a business because that too is an Abomination Unto Nuggan. Art, music, jigsaw puzzles and rocks have also recently been declared as Abominations in a rapidly deteriorating country that is losing its war.
The trouble is that her brother Paul, the only legal heir to the lucrative pub, is off to the wars with neighboring Ankh-Morpork, who has been captured or is perhaps dead, so Polly's future looks rather bleak. Paul is a gentle soul by nature, an artist who of course can't practice his craft due to Nugganism and has no head for business. With him installed as legal owner � well, you see Polly's problem. She needs to find Paul, bring him home, and set him up as owner so she can secure her future --- or else it's the Workhouse (or worse) for Polly.
So she crops her hair, dresses up like a boy, and runs off to join the regiment. This is of course an Abomination Unto Nuggan, but Polly is nothing if not resourceful and with the quiet help of someone who whispers helpfully from behind a wall when she's relieving herself in the privy that a carefully placed pair of socks might fool the casual onlooker, Polly becomes Oliver Perks and her adventures begin. Polly, becomes Oliver, takes her duties as a private seriously. When she finds herself feeling aggressive and even belligerent, she blames it on the socks. In fact, after cursing or belching she often thinks to herself, "It's the socks talking, there."
Her fellow soldiers in the Monstrous Regiment consist of (remember this is Discworld) a motley assortment of what's left of Borogravian young manhood: a Troll, a vampire, an Igor (Igors are a special class of being on Discworld --- they make excellent field medics because of their skills in stitchery and, er, recycling body parts). Also enlisted are three other young lads, all under the eagle eye of Sergeant Jackrum, veteran of legendary battles and the stuff folk songs are made of.
This extraordinarily amusing book is a homage to Terry Pratchett's huge following of well-educated women, which make up a surprising majority of his vast readership. In fact, until J. K. Rowling came along, Pratchett held something of a record in book sales in Great Britain, acquiring an O.B.E. in literature from the Queen. He has caught on in a big way with American readers who enjoy his droll satire. Only a few of the books in the 28 volume-series on Discworld feature women. The Wyrd Sisters (a group of erstwhile Witches), Angua (a female werewolf in Ankh Morpork's Watch) and Commander Vimes's wife are among the few female protagonists. With MONSTROUS REGIMENT, we are introduced not only to Polly Perks but also to some other rather astonishing heroines. Elaborating on them though would spoil the tale.
Pratchett has outdone himself with MONSTROUS REGIMENT --- a feat that might be hard to imagine after so many books. It is fresh, witty as ever, and brings a whole new look to Ankh Morpork. One might be tempted to compare this tale to our conflict in the Middle East, if one was of a mind to take Pratchett with more than a grain of salt.
--- Reviewed by Roz Shea

Long-standing fans of Discworld know how Pratchett explores many levels in his books. MR achieves a new degree of intensity in examining the human tendency for conflict. The "fantasy" aspects of the Discworld are nearly abandoned in this story of war and soldier life. To be sure, there's a vampire, a troll, and Angua the werewolf. An Igor completes the team in a special, rather cutting, role. None of these "fantasy" characters can avoid being dominated by their human aspects. Pratchett enhances his ability to show us to ourselves. While his humour carries us along in following the tale, the underlying theme remains clear. War is a distinctly human enterprise.
Polly Perks seeks her missing brother in the middle of a conflict none can explain nor justify. Hiding the fact that she's a girl, she slashes her golden curls, dons boys' clothes [including "special purpose" socks] and enlists to seek him out. Her military career is fraught with risk, but not just from battle. If she's exposed, the wrath of Nuggan, the local deity, will be boundless - dressing as a man is an Abomination. As are cats, the colour blue, garlic and a host of social ills. These are lined out in the Appendix of a bible - with the Appendix larger than the main inspirational text.
In Sam Vimes' view, Polly has entered a life of crime, but not through her cross-dressing. He thinks "war is a crime - like murder". Sam, Commander of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch, has been sent to make a peace. When the stakes are as high as these - who rules the country - the task becomes Herculean. As with most wars, this one uses high moral purpose to camouflage baser selfish motives. A prince seeks power. Polly, along with her meagre "regiment" is caught up in the forces this war for rule has unleashed. They are ill-equipped and untrained for their task. Even so, Polly's first skirmish with the enemy has enduring results.
Pratchett, using Polly's voice, has produced his finest work. He delves into military life, the vagaries of monarchy, and the shams of religion. He exposes many nerves in this book, but with a gentle finesse. He encourages the open mind while appealing to those who haven't taken the trouble to even ask questions. Polly asks and confronts many of these queries. She examines the answers in light of what is occurring around her. She's sharp and alert. She has to be, hiding her identity from friend and foe alike. She learns to belch, pick her nose and walk swaying her shoulders instead of her hips. Is this what's important? Pratchett takes us to the abyss of gender politics, reveals its deceptive simplicity, and leads us away. To confront a yet more fundamental horror. He is adept at surprising the reader, accomplishing that again here with his usual aplomb. Once again, he's "mirrored" our world. Take a close look and see if you are imaged here. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa]

First of all, Monstrous Regiment is the 28th Discworld book, and Pratchett is just getting started. Every time you think he has run out of ideas, he comes up with something new (or an interesting take on something old). This book is no different, as this time he examines the military and the military mindset. Is it a good one? SIR, YES SIR!
This is another winning Discworld book. It's a bit different in tone from Night Watch, if only because the humour is broader. In Night Watch, the humour was on the side and it was a fairly serious book except for that. This has a serious point to make as well, but the humour involves everybody. It was refreshing to see. Pratchett has some good points to make on military matters in the real world, and he skewers the entire mindset (not necessarily of the men, who he never really disparages, but the planners).
He does have the obvious stereotypes of the hard drill sergeant and the lieutenant who doesn't really know what he's doing and has no experience. But even these stereotypes he turns on their heads, shakes them upside down, and looks at what comes out. Pratchett, always a master of character, has created some new winners (though I don't believe they'll be back in another book, like some of Pratchett's recurring characters). Polly is the typical Pratchett hero: determined, relatively straight-laced, intelligent and resourceful. She's a wonderful viewpoint character, scared but determined to do what is right. When she's assigned to be the lieutenant's assistant, she's reluctant to take advantage of the position, though she does so to help out her mates. She helps Lieutenant Blouse along, though she's terrified of shaving him because she's never learned how to shave herself.
Probably the best character in the book, though, is Jackrum. He reminds me a lot of Sam Vimes from the City Watch books, but with a different edge to him. He's a soldier and nothing else. He doesn't want to be an officer. He doesn't want to be a civilian. He wants to do his job, keep his lads safe, and bring them home. He doesn't like sneaking around and doing things different from the army way, and he's horrified when Blouse wants to use subterfuge to get into the castle they're supposed to take. He's a man of duty, honour, and integrity, and while he's always rough on his men, he also respects them. Of course, we find out there's a reason behind the man he is, which is what really cuts him apart from Vimes.
The other characters are standout even if they aren't developed that much. There's the religious zealot who constantly speaks to "The Duchess," (the figure who, much like Queen Victoria, hasn't been seen much since her husband died, and who many feel is actually dead). There are a couple of fire-bugs who ran away from where they were being held. The best of this bunch, however, is the vampire (Maladict) and the latest in a long string of Igors in a Discworld book. Maladict has sworn off blood in order to be accepted in society, and has developed an addiction to coffee instead. He's the only one that seems, at least initially, to know what's going on. When the coffee runs out, look out! Igor is much the same as most of his brethren, handy with a surgical knife and internal organs. Both of these characters add some sparkle when they're on the page, as well as a lot of laughs.
There are a few well-known Discworld characters in the book to add colour as well. William de Worde (the journalist from The Truth) and his photographer vampire Otto, make an appearance. I'm surprised that they weren't "embedded" with the troops, but that may have been a bit obvious. Pratchett does use them to make some statements about the Press in wartime, and how wars are reported. Samuel Vimes and a couple of his watchmen are also included, though they don't have a major part. I think Vimes is included mainly as a counterpoint for Jackrum's character, and he does a good job of that. He's also a voice of reason in a sea of insanity (Polly's adrift in that sea, so she doesn't count).
The best thing about Pratchett is that he is entertaining and thought-provoking even when you might not agree with him. Given some of the things he makes light of, I may be able to guess what his opinion is on the recent war in Iraq. However, even if you don't agree with him, he will make you think. And he will make you laugh, which is the most important part. He also touches on gender and religious issues, all in one book. The fact that he's able to make interesting points without seeming like a scattershot approach says something about Pratchett's writing.
Monstrous Regiment is a return of sorts to Pratchett's previous style of combining humour and social commentary. It's another must-read for any Pratchett fan.
David Roy

Polly Perks sees no other option to secure her future but to enlist, disguised as a boy. So she cuts her hair, puts on a pair of trousers, and sets out on her journey. Can she get away with it?

Whether women can make good soldiers is just one of many queries answered in this book. In a story concerning gender issues and women’s rights (not from the simplistic vista of what makes men and women different or equal, but showing what an individual is and what we all must brazen out to become a worthy one), here is a journey ignited by and about pride, about courage, and hard-headedness. It is not only about war and its consequences, but about those who fight and why they do it, and those who stay behind and how they deal with the fight at home; about how the media can shape the world, influence opinions and results, It is about pride, fanaticism, equality and discrimination. It is about finding your own way, even if it means going against your family, your country, your beliefs. You will often go to bed considering these (and many other) matters in solidarity, sympathy and praise of vivid, real and worthy characters in here..

But don’t worry: the story flows through other issues that we all have wondered about, like how Trolls woo each other, what an extra pair of socks can do for you. Is there a cure for baldness? Why do some zombies just groan and cause trouble, while others decide to not just take it lying down? How reformed vampires can resist the urge to drink blood, and find their way. Who stays behind when all the men close to us have to go to war?

You will definitely have fun while this ragtag squad of humans, vampires, trolls, and even igors, go on to war, knowing they are the last recruits, but knowing too there is nothing for them behind. What will the future bring to them? They will find who they really are; they will find where their inner strength comes from and ponder about doing the unthinkable and what that limit is depending on who and what we are.

Great reading, great book, great characters, great and realistic dialogues and situations. You will agree when the story is over, when you close the book, when you say: “Great” to yourself. Never will an adjective be better used than then – and now.

First, know that I read Terry Pratchett for his social satire. And normally, his books have many a chuckle and a few belly laughs with much provocation of thought. This book, for me had one chuckle, and one belly laugh--an allusion to President Kennedy that was truly inspired. In reality, that fits what I saw as the background for this book, a one-hit idea stretched to 389 pages. However, the book and movie, "War of the Roses" did it first and better.

Yes, the silliness of war is part of this book, not done as well as others have, but there. Yes, the silliness of the military is there, not done as well as others have, but there. Yes, the silliness and strength of country loyalty is there. But primarily, this book is about the war of the sexes, and that theme Terry Pratchett has done well, but in other works.

In the end, you take from this book that men are about, well, uhmm, socks. And women are about getting things done. And people are out and about.

Maybe this would have been a better book for me if not part of the 31 book 'disc world' series. I expected things. And, OK, Death makes his appearance, for a page. And, OK, Vimes is a minor character. But, when all was said and done, my only thought about this book was....OK.

Terry Pratchett is one of my favorite novelists. I'm trying to work through the Discworld series-- a marvelous universe full of characters that interconnect in ways you wouldn't have dreamed possible. Even so, when I opened the front cover... I didn't put this book down until I reached the back.

Our protaganist is a young lady who, because of religious ordinances (which keep getting stranger), cannot inherit the family tavern. Her brother has joined the army and should he not return, the tavern is lost to her. So she hatches a daring plan to join the army and find her brother. Only on Discworld, nothing is what they appear.

I won't say more, because I will risk giving away the twists. But oh! What delightful twists Mr. Pratchett gives us on this part of Discworld. Familiar characters will peek in, new characters will be introduced, and a madcap adventure await you between the covers of this book.

Maybe I'm just becoming jaded to Pratchett, or maybe I happen to be picking up a run of his lesser works, but Monstrous Regiment continues what I'm noticing as "the Vimes Curse": if Vimes is in it, I'm going to be disappointed.

High Points: Pratchett's wit is present as always, and there are the usual grins and even laugh-out-loud moments. I liked his parody of ultra-fundamentalist religions that have worn out their welcome by going out of control. Also, I wasn't quite sure where he was going with this, so it held my attention. If nothing else, it's a quick read.

Low Points: Stevie Wonder could have seen the "plot twist" in this, though it's ***so*** obvious that it was probably intentional that it be seen, and not meant to be the "hinge" of the book. Like I said under high points, I wasn't sure where he was going with this. Turns out I knew exactly where he was going, but had just expected more.

Monstrous Regiment is a "stand-alone" episode in the Diskworld milieu, so don't expect any "continuity clues." I might be wrong on that, of course, if Pratchett ever plans to revisit the setting or characters, though I doubt he will.

I'd probably be harsher on this book if a different author had written it. If you like Pratchett, keep your expectations reasonable and give it a go.