Jingo - Discworld Book 21

Synopsis

War threatens between Ankh-Morpork and Klatch over a newly risen island. Commander Vimes must navigate diplomacy, espionage, and prejudice to avert a senseless conflict.

Book Overview

Jingo plunges Ankh-Morpork into a geopolitical crisis when a mysterious island emerges from the sea, triggering intense rivalry and potential war with the distant desert empire of Klatch. Captain Samuel Vimes and the City Watch must grapple with escalating nationalist fervor, xenophobia, and political manipulation as they seek to prevent unnecessary conflict between the two powers. Amid the turmoil, Vimes finds himself balancing loyalty, duty, and personal integrity, navigating a tense atmosphere filled with suspicion and prejudice.

The novel sharply critiques nationalism, prejudice, and warmongering, illustrating how easily fear and distrust can be exploited by politicians and extremists to manipulate the public into supporting war. Pratchett humorously but incisively explores humanity’s susceptibility to propaganda, the absurdity of prejudice, and the arbitrary nature of national identity. Through Vimes’s moral compass, the narrative emphasizes rationality, empathy, and open-mindedness as crucial counters to intolerance and fear-driven aggression.

Central to Jingo is the exploration of cultural misunderstandings and biases. The interactions between Ankh-Morpork’s citizens and Klatchian emissaries highlight how ignorance breeds fear, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and understanding. Vimes, ever skeptical of simplistic narratives, insists on truth and justice over convenience or political expediency, providing a powerful moral anchor amid societal chaos.

Continuing the themes and character developments of earlier City Watch novels, Jingo further solidifies Vimes as an essential moral center within Discworld. The novel’s thematic exploration of international diplomacy, cultural prejudice, and the absurdity of war echoes broader Discworld themes introduced in novels like Interesting Times and anticipates later explorations in The Fifth Elephant and Monstrous Regiment. Thus, Jingo occupies an important position, deepening the series’ ongoing engagement with complex social and ethical issues.

Principal Characters

Sam Vimes
The Commander of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch who rises from a drunk night watchman to a respected leader and eventually Duke of Ankh. Known for his intense hatred of injustice, deep cynicism, and the "Vimes boots theory of socioeconomic unfairness."
Appears in 9 booksView Details
Carrot Ironfoundersson
A human raised by dwarfs who becomes a member of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch. Exceptionally strong, honest, and charismatic, he's implied to be the rightful heir to Ankh-Morpork's throne but chooses to serve as a watchman. He takes everything literally and knows everyone in the city by name.
Appears in 9 booksView Details
Delphine Angua von Überwald
A member of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch who happens to be a werewolf. Intelligent, practical, and struggling with the dual nature of her existence, she forms a relationship with Captain Carrot and serves as one of the Watch's most effective investigators.
Appears in 6 booksView Details
Fred Colon
A long-serving, overweight sergeant in the Ankh-Morpork City Watch. Conservative, not particularly bright, but well-meaning, he forms a comedic duo with Nobby Nobbs and is fiercely loyal to Commander Vimes despite his tendency to avoid actual policing whenever possible.
Appears in 7 booksView Details
Nobby Nobbs
A member of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch so unidentifiably human he carries a certificate to prove his species. A petty thief and coward with questionable hygiene, he nonetheless shows occasional moments of surprising insight and loyalty to his fellow watchmen.
Appears in 8 booksView Details
Lord Havelock Vetinari
The Patrician of Ankh-Morpork, a brilliantly intelligent and manipulative ruler who maintains order through carefully balanced political machinations. A former assassin, he governs with calculating precision and an understanding that what people really want is stability rather than freedom.
Appears in 13 booksView Details
Leonard of Quirm
Discworld's equivalent of Leonardo da Vinci, a brilliant inventor and artist kept in comfortable captivity by Lord Vetinari. He creates revolutionary devices without considering their practical (often weapon-related) applications and gives them deceptively mundane names.
Appears in 3 booksView Details
Seventyone Hour Ahmed
Seventyone Hour Ahmed is a fierce and enigmatic warrior from the desert kingdom of Klatch, known for his cunning intelligence and strategic mind. As a key figure in the events of 'Jingo,' he plays a crucial role in the unfolding political tensions between Ankh-Morpork and Klatch. Ahmed's significance lies in his ability to navigate complex cultural and political landscapes, often serving as a bridge between conflicting worlds.
Appears in 1 bookView Details

Auxiliary Characters

Lady Sybil Ramkin
A wealthy aristocrat who breeds swamp dragons and later marries Sam Vimes. Large, good-natured, and considerably more politically savvy than her husband, she provides both emotional support and practical assistance while maintaining her own interests and independence.
Appears in 7 booksView Details
Detritus
A troll who joins the Ankh-Morpork City Watch after previous careers as a bouncer and splatter. Initially not very bright (even by troll standards), his intellect improves dramatically in colder temperatures. He becomes a sergeant specializing in troll affairs and weapon training.
Appears in 7 booksView Details