Rating: 
Summary: The Truth as It Should Be Told
Review: A newspaper on the Disc World, it had to happen sooner or later. William de Worde the editor will never be short of something interesting to print or photograph even if it's only the man who bombards him with humourously shaped potatoes. However he still has to cope with the perils of journalistic life, people who would like to see HIM on the front page as part of a nasty accident. A vampire who has a fascination with flash photography.
Think of the copy you could write about the disc world characters. I was a newspaper man for 40 years and believe me it's all there (not the vampire), though I had my suspicions.
Pratchett is at is very best. The man is genius. There are many top line comedians who would die for a script writer of his calibre. There are not many authors who can make me laugh out loud while reading, but Pratchett's one liners are priceless. Don't just buy this one, buy them all.
Rating:
Summary: A lie travels around the world . . .
Review: As always in his later novels about Disworld, Pratchett mixes wit and word-play with often very pointed commentary on some aspect of our own world. This time, he takes on the Fourth Estate in the person of young William de Worde, idealistic younger son of Lord De Worde, a very unpleasant and rather fascist leader of a cabal attempting to overthrow Lord Vetinari, the Patrician who runs Ankh-Morpork with an astute and even hand. William, who has been sending out occasional newsletters to foreign decision-makers of local events of interest, manages to invent not only the newspaper but journalism itself, discovering along the way that what people need to know generally isn't what they want to know and that tabloidism outsells News any day. Pratchett is more sympathetic to newspaper people than to those who read their work. Of course, William uncovers the facts about the plot -- gets personally caught up in it, in fact -- and must decide just how much of his father's son he really is. And Commander Vimes of the Watch (one of my two favorite recurring characters, the other being Lord Vetinari) must deal with the discovery that freedom of the press impinges on his own occasional urges. The practical Mr. Goodmountain, dwarf typesetter and owner of the actual press, is a nice balance to William's zeal, as is Sacharissa, natural newswriter. And Otto, the vampire iconographer. Most unsettling, perhaps, are Mr. Tulip and Mr. Pin, the former a combination of enraged thug and art connoisseur, the latter a cold-blooded "arranger" for hire. I hope Pratchett lives another few decades and keeps this stuff coming.
Rating: 
Summary: I liked this.
Review: I am not a huge Discworld fan (don't kill me!): the whole wizards and fantasy thing, I feel, can be taken over the top a bit. Having previous once picked Eric randomly off the shelf at a library and finding it frankly average, I was reluctant to try another, but on the insistance of my friend (who is a discworld fan), who highly reccomendeded The Truth to me, I picked it up. I had some reservations about the fact that it was the 25th Discworld novel and I hadn't read many of the previous ones, but the story stands on its own, although some background knowledge may be helpful while reading. I really did enjoy The Truth. It is a good story, I found myself liking and identifying with the characters, I found it funny, and while occasionally it does try for laughs simply by being weird, Pratchett can tell a good joke. I enjoyed the story and the setup didn't get in the way of it. It isn't the most complex book in the world: there are deeper novels out there, but in the whole 'What is truth?' debate it does offer some answers, making it interesting even to a point from a philosophical point of view. The book is full of those little truths which make a book enjoyable, the characters are realistic, and after this I think I may check out some of the other books in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Fun
Review: I enjoyed this book. While i have become somewhat less enthusiastic now when i hear another disc world book is due out, this one was a cut above some of the more recent ones. Dont get me wrong, i like most of the titles... but i almost get the impression he's writting out of habit rather than swept with the urge to tell a story. Not so with this one. Enjoyable throughout.
Rating: 
Summary: In the presence of genius...
Review: Many years ago in my early youth, I came across The Colour of Magic. As a (then) slightly po-faced devourer of fantasy novels, I was unimpressed by Pratchett's writing and vaguely offended at the spoofery. My prejudice continued until a few days ago when I was enticed by the blurb on the back of The Truth. As a journalist/editor (until recently) I felt I'd be in line for sufficient entertainment/insight to keep me interested even if the mock-fantasy stuff got up my nose a little.
Within the first few pages, much as I wanted to demur, I felt myself being seduced. The novel turned out to be a hugely exhilarating ride and, on turning the last page and with metaphoric cigarette in hand, I began the process of kicking myself. Hard. How on earth could I let this wondrous Discworld universe pass me by for so long?! Pratchett's creation is lovingly, lovingly detailed. Even if some of the humour is a bit obvious and old hat; even if Pin and Tulip are occasionally tiresome; even if the story is unnecessarily strung-out and bloated; even if there are banalities and idiocies in some of the characters and plotlines... you're still left with a rollicklingly good read, an effortless page-turner and the intoxicating knowledge that you will seek out (as I am currently, obsessively doing) every last story that Pratchett has committed to paper. The only problem I have now is in taking 99.9% of `serious' fantasy seriously again. How could I? Why would I? When Pratchett provides such a complete, intricate, hilarious and poignant set of portraits incorporating such multifarious and sympathetic and unique characters as are to be found in Discworld. The Truth is, by no means, a perfect (or even classic) (or even must-read) book - hence only three stars. But I already know that the Discworld sequence is perfect, classic and must-read taken as a whole. In fact, I am so entranced by Discworld after finishing The Truth, getting half-way through Mort and having just seen a very amateurish stage version of Carpe Jugulum, that I am beginning to feel that Pratchett's genius rivals that of P.G. Wodehouse. And that is high praise indeed!
Rating:
Summary: The Truth and Droll Vegetables
Review: Pratchett is a former journalist himself, so I suppose it was just a matter of time before journalism was held up to the fun-house mirror that is the Discworld. Perhaps it is his experience in the trade that makes this such a wonderful story. William de Worde is the estranged younger son of a noble family. He earns a living providing private reports on the news of Ankh Morpork to foreign rulers. On his way to deliver his latest report to his engraver, William is struck by the power of the press; in this case, a runaway wagon carrying a moveable type press that dwarves are smuggling into the city. One thing leads to another, and, this being the Century of the Fruitbat, before long "The Ankh Morpork Times" is on the streets, and William is launched on a career as an editor, publisher and investigative journalist. The economy of Ankh Morpork is built on institutionalized corruption. There's no shortage of work for a budding investigative journalist, including the latest plot against the Lord Vetinari, the city's ruler. Soon William and his newspaper are pitted against conspiring nobility, a competing tabloid, assassins and the City Watch, to name just a few. From the subtle - watch the typos in the newspaper's masthead - to the slapstick - a vampire photographer who cannot survive the bright light of his camera flash - there are a lot of laughs in this book. Some of the humor clearly traces to Practhett's journalism experience; Mr. Windling and his amusing vegetables, for example. But as has been the case in the last 10 - 12 Discworld stories, the humor is a means to an end and not the end itself. Pratchett makes important points as he entertains, and raises difficult questions. What is the Truth, anyway? And does anyone care? In Lord Vetinari's apt phrase, don't readers want the Olds, rather than the News? And why does printing something make it more true? And Pratchett addresses larger issues, too. Among the fascinating new characters is Harry King, the King of the Golden River, who will recycle absolutely anything. He is wealthy, has a certain economic power, but absolutely no prestige. William's father, a member of the Old School Nobility, regards his privileges as a right. He has prestige, but what power he had is slipping away. And Gunilla Goldmountain, a dwarf who can turn lead into gold, but would really like to be married instead. Tulip, otherwise an illiterate stock villain, has a deep, informed appreciation of all things art. People are complex, and the relationships between people and society are still more complex. Pratchett reminds us of that reality by holding our life up to the funhouse mirror he has created. There are echoes of Watergate - William's informant is "Deep Bone" - and echoes of all those old newspaper movies like "His Girl Friday" and "The Front Page" in the relationship between William and his reporter, Sacharissa. Pratchett is particularly good at making use of our cultural references in his jokes and his points. Allusion-spotters will have a field day. Like all Pratchett's books, "The Truth" is great fun to read and still rewards a thoughtful reader. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Pressing business in Ankh-Morpork
Review: The Truth has the honour of being the 25th Discworld book. I haven't read all 25, but I have read a fair number of them, and I'd have to say this one is the best in awhile, even better than The Fifth Elephant. William de Worde, outcast son of a local rich family in Ankh Morpork, has been regularly supplying (via engraving) a news page to a few select people in the city and the surrounding areas. One day, he is literally run over by the power of the press, in this case allowed to run amok by a group of dwarves. After regaining consciousness, William sees what this press can do and the possibilities it represents to get the news out to people. Imagine, movable type! Thus begins the saga of the Ankh-Morpork Times. William enlists the dwarves, and hires a young lady, Sacharissa Cripslock, to be a reporter. She's got a nose for headlines and is able to use some feminine wiles to get sources to talk to her. He also hires Otto Chriek, a vampire, as a photographer. Poor Otto has a fascination with flash photography, but every time the flash goes off, he becomes a pile of ash and needs help reforming himself. When Lord Vetinari, the Patrician of the city, is accused of attempted murder, the City Watch is on the case, followed closely by William. Sometimes, too closely, as Commander Vimes has to deal with not only the crime, but also this new person breathing down his neck and asking questions. William thinks the public has a right to know what is going on. As the investigation continues, things get hotter and hotter for William, as he finds out that the search for the Truth isn't always a safe one. There are so many things that make this book stand out. The first is the character of William. He's a crusader, a second son of a rich family. In Ankh-Morpork, only first sons ever really do anything. Subsequent sons are expected to go to school, graduate, and stay out of the way. William doesn't do that, but instead wants to make a name for himself. He hardly ever lies and has a deep respect for the truth, which is why he's so dedicated in this book. He's a wonderful straight man, reacting to some of the absurd events that are surrounding him as if they're not absurd. Probably the best character, though, is Otto. He is so earnest in his profession, but he also has the funniest lines and situations. You would think that the repetition of "Flash! Arrrrrrrrrrrrgh!" would get boring after awhile, but it doesn't. The situations that it happens in are so varied that it never gets old. He's a very dedicated photographer, innovative (he is able to invent colour photography) and very loyal to William. He's also "on the wagon," which means that he doesn't drink human blood anymore. One of the funniest scenes in the book is when he's tempted (completely innocently and in a stressful situation) by Sacharissa. One of the more interesting aspects of this book, at least for long-time Discworld readers, is the City Watch. This is the first book (or at least the first I've read) where the Watch is featured very heavily, but it's not *about* the Watch. There are only two or three scenes that are from the viewpoint of somebody who's in the Watch. Thus, you get to see them as outsiders see them. You see the strangeness that can happen without seeing the inherent reasoning behind it, and that is refreshing. Vimes is the same as he always has been, but his reactions to William and this new idea of somebody actually trying to tell people what is truly going on are simply hilarious. He doesn't like it and he doesn't react well to it. The book mirrors the rise of newspapers very well, even down to the creation of tabloids (Mayor Stolen by Aliens!). Of course, the whole thing is condensed into a few weeks (and one investigative story), but it's still a nice parallel. Pratchett goes all out, showing not only the virtues of a free press, but also some of the faults. Most importantly, though, it shows the various reactions to this new medium: some fear it, some welcome it, some will take advantage of it (like the guy with the funny vegetables who wants them in the paper every day). Just like real life, only funnier. This book is definitely worth a read. It doesn't matter if this is your first Discworld book or your 25th, you'll love it.
Rating:
Summary: Pratchett Digs Deep
Review: The Truth stands out to me as one of the better examples of Pratchett's ability. It harkens back to the earlier books giving the reader a delightfully mix of real-world and fantastical parody. From cover to cover images of Perry White, J. Jonah Jameson, Richard Nixon, The Sun, and conspiracy theorists flash through the readers brain giving us a new look at Ankh-Morpork and new characters who I hope will make appearances in future books. If you are a fan of the Disc's dwarven community, this book also gives the reader a closer scrutiny of that noble and industrious race, and you will also see the effects of iconography on a vampire iconographer. Underneath all the humor runs a storyline about truth, duty, and family. The first two are quite obvious considering the title of the book, but the third is what touched me. A man really doesn't have to follow in the footsteps of his family, and a person's character can really change if it is truly desired.
Rating:
Summary: A -ing good read!
Review: The twenty-fifth Discworld novel tells the story of the first (and second) Ankh-Morpork newspaper(s). As the youngest son of a well-to-do family, William was destined to a cleric, or a land manager, or maybe a soldier career. But in fact he's always liked reading and writing, and having moved to Ankh-Morpork he's trying to make words his living. Therefore for some time now, and five dollars, he has been writing a monthly news-letter to some select members of the nobility in several corners of the Discworld, in close collaboration with the Guild of Engravers... until one day, when he finds himself knocked down by the dwarf Goodmountain carrying a huge engine: a press. And so the Ankh-Morpork Times was born. Being able to have many copies much quicker, and to sell them to much more people, he is also faced with the problem of having to find lots of new interesting things to say. And even though he realises that people are ready to take everything for granted as long as it's in the paper, he wants to tell only the TRUTH. And when the Patrician, Lord Vetinari, is arrested for the apparent murder of his clerk and the theft of seventy thousand dollars (in coins), William starts to investigate. At the same time, competition arrives too. Less fussy about veracity, The Inquirer quickly becomes the people's favourite. The Truth is a wonderful satire of the world of journalism and the power of media. But aside from that, with great new characters such as Sacharissa and Otto the vampire Iconographer, as well as dear old ones such as Gaspode the Wonder Dog and Vimes, it's also a -ing funny book... well of course it is!
Rating:
Summary: The Best Discworld Standalone So Far
Review: This book is somewhat tied to the City Watch sequence which starts with _Guards! Guards!_, but can easily stand alone; I recommend it highly, and it would be an excellent introduction to the Discworld books. This is the story of the founding of a tabloid newspaper in Ankh-Morpork, and its inevitable rivals. There are very engaging characters and funny sidekicks including a vampire named Otto, who joins the crew as a photographer but has an unfortunate tendency to crumble into dust when exposed to bright flashes of light, and some really inept bad guys. Gaspode the dog shows up, as do members of the City Watch. The satire of tabloid journalism is wonderful, as is the clash between William de Worde's idealism and his need to make money.
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