Power and Corruption in Discworld Books
Reflections on the nature of power, how it corrupts, and the responsibilities that come with it.
Featured in 5 books
Best Discworld Books About Power and Corruption
- 5
Sourcery
A powerful sourcerer, a wizard who channels raw magical force, returns to Discworld, sparking conflict and risking apocalyptic destruction. Once again, reluctant hero Rincewind is dragged into saving the world.
Warns against unchecked power and ambition, illustrating how absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Main characters: rincewind, coin, conina, nijel the destroyer, archchancellors hat, spelter and carding
- 8
Guards! Guards!
The cynical, downtrodden City Watch of Ankh-Morpork faces off against a dragon summoned by power-hungry conspirators. Led by Captain Vimes, they must overcome incompetence to protect their city.
Examines authority, justice, and civic responsibility, satirizing the complacency of institutions and the public's desire for simplistic solutions.
Main characters: sam vimes, carrot ironfoundersson, sybil ramkin, nobby nobbs, fred colon, lord vetinari and lupine wonse
- 19
Feet of Clay
Vimes investigates an assassination attempt on Lord Vetinari involving golems, the city's clay workers. The mystery reveals deep societal tensions in the city's hierarchy.
Explores free will, class struggle, and the ethics of artificial intelligence, raising questions about what it truly means to be "alive."
Main characters: sam vimes, carrot ironfoundersson, angua, cheery littlebottom, dorfl, lord vetinari and detritus
- 24
The Fifth Elephant
Commander Vimes travels to Uberwald for diplomatic negotiations, uncovering plots involving dwarven politics and werewolves. Tensions mount as intrigue threatens war.
Addresses international diplomacy, cultural misunderstandings, and the delicate balance of political power and integrity.
Main characters: sam vimes, sybil ramkin, carrot ironfoundersson, angua, wolfgang von uberwald, gaspode and sally von humpeding
- 29
Night Watch
Commander Vimes is sent back in time during a rebellion in Ankh-Morpork. He must mentor his younger self and maintain history without disrupting his personal future.
An introspective look at morality, justice, personal integrity, and the inevitability of history repeating itself.
Main characters: sam vimes, carcer dun, reg shoe, rosie palm and lord snapcase