Rating: 
Summary: Absolute power corrupts . . .
Review: Of all Pratchett's brilliantly drawn characters, Samuel Vimes stands unique in providing a realistic role model for the rest of us. He's honest, forthright, deeply suspicious of aristocracy, and best of all, despises the idea of kings. The last is important here, for someone wishes the return of the Ankh-Morpork monarchy. And Sam Vimes' remote ancestor, Old Stoneface, executed the last one.Edward d'Eath [how does PTerry come up with these names?!], an impoverished aristocrat, seeks fulfillment of his destiny by restoring the monarchy. Recruiting fellow lords to his cause proves difficult. It's been a long time since the last king, and the Patrician runs the city with commendable, if frightening, efficiency. So Edward embarks on a solitary campaign. Pratchett's inventive mind takes us from the "fantasy" genre into the murder mystery domain. Murder isn't a common event on the Discworld, and its occurrence here creates an intensity of feeling rarely evoked by Pratchett's works. Vimes is particularly irritated by such abhorrent events as murder. Assassination is bad enough, although carefully regulated by its Guild. For Vimes, murder is too arbitrary. It reflects the one aspect of society he resents the most, the exercise of absolute power. He's affronted both as a copper and a man. Partly inspired by Corporal Carrot, Vimes is no longer content having the Watch "let things lie anymore". Forces that used to push a drunken Vimes into the gutter are forces he now resists, even struggles to overcome. It's an inspiring read watching Pratchett give Vimes a new sense of dedication. Vimes has always sought justice, and his recent rise in society and the Watch has given him fresh impetus, and clout, to gain it. However, first he must survive. He's up against a new force. A force of absolute power, without soul or pity - the Gonne. There are other aspects in this book beyond the new Old Stoneface trying to catch a murderer. Pratchett pays homage to the struggle for women's and immigrants' rights in Britain [and elsewhere]. The Watch has been compelled to recruit dwarves, trolls and, um, a woman. Sergeant Colon's attempts to reconcile size, attitudes and anatomy with a traditional human, male, role must bring tears to the eyes of all recruiting sergeants reading it. Pratchett's sympathetic view of Angua pays homage to the efforts of women striving to enter men's realms. But for a novel view of the world we all inhabit, there's few that can out-express Gaspode, one of Pratchett's finest creations. Pratchett possesses a superior ability to create timeless works. Nestled in this library since its publication, this book is taken up as an old friend for repeated enjoyment. There's nothing lost in re-reading Men At Arms - the issues remain timely, the characters worth noting - sometimes emulating, and the wit undiminished. If you're new to Pratchett, this is a fine place to start. If you're coming along in the Discworld sequence, be prepared for an item of exceptional value, something beyond the humorous fantasy of wizards, witches and Mort's employer.
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Summary: this would make a great movie
Review: hollywood take notice!! a movie idea like this only comes along once a century. i have read nearly half of the discworld novels and each one has been better than the last. i would be hard pressed to pick a favorite, but men at arms would be up there among the top. great characters, excellent plot twists, and a host of unforgetable one-liners. but what impressed me the most as i read each page was what a great movie men at arms would make. i could almost see a cgi created acting constable detritus. if you are new to the discworld series make men at arms your next read.
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Summary: My first Pratchett book -- I'm hooked!
Review: A well-crafted, sharp-witted tale that will be especially appealing to anyone who has ever read Tolkien and his ilk. Discworld is at once absurd and complex, yet held against the fabric of our reality, it's just as plausible. I'm hard pressed to think of a more likable character than Corporal Carrot. The modest anti-gun message was subtle enough to remain unobtrusive.
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Summary: Here today gonne tomorrow.....
Review: Fed up with the rule of Ankh-Morpork's Patrician, Edward D'Eath searches for the True King.After extensive reaserch into the city records, he finds this to be Corpral Carrot of Ankh-Morpork's City Watch. Unable, however to persuade the Nobility that a king is what the city really needs, he learns of a weapon so fearsome that it has been kept under lock and key for years. Using this weapon, Edward decides to stir up so much trouble in the city that its citizens will revolt and force the king on the throne. And as usual it is up to the watch to stop this madman....
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Summary: The best discworld novel; for beginners or veterans
Review: I've read nearly all of them and this is my favorite. Definitely check out the ones with Death in a lead role (like Mort for instance)
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Summary: The Best Of The City Watch Books
Review: In my opinion Men at Arms is the best of the Watch novels. It was a great sequel to Guards,Guards and I really looked forward to reading it at the time. I enjoyed the introduction of the new members in the Watch since it gave the book a bit more variety. The plot between Carrot and Angua was also intriguing at the time. Im a big fan of Terry in general but the Watch( Commander Vimes in particular ) hold a special place in my heart. Keep up the good work Terry, your doing a great job.
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Summary: best diskworld book yet
Review: I have read 5 of his books and this is the best. The way he combines trolls, dwarves, werewolves, and the talking dog gaspode into one hilarious book is amazing. I've love every one of his books that contains the watch. The book has the usual twist of stupid trolls, a species rivalry, and an honest cop who is promoted to Corrpral Carrot, adopted (human) son of dwarves. P.S. How many more time is Vimes about to quit the watch?
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Summary: good book from damn good writer
Review: The Disc World series is ... very very good. But what can i read now? I've gone through a Dave Barry phase... experimented with a variety of other humor... Thurber... it's going to be hard to find another author as enjoyable as Pratchett.
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Summary: Laughed till I hurt
Review: I loved this book! Men at Arms is the second Pratchett Novel I have read the first being Feet of Clay. I found everything in this book to be creative and hilarious the dog talking dog Gaspode especially. Prattchett and his wonderful creation discworld teach people that a story can be entertaing without dirty words and sex.
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Summary: A funny yet moral page turner set in a really engaging city
Review: This book was the first Discworld novel I read and it convinced me into reading Pratchett. He is so unlike an other author others have compared him to such as Grant Naylor or Douglas Adams. Had I heeded such comments forever I would have missed out on a real treat.
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