Night Watch (Discworld)

Night Watch is the 29th novel in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series, published in 2002. It is a pivotal book in the series, dealing with themes of duty, justice, and the nature of leadership. The story centers around Commander Samuel Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch, who is flung back in time to the year of the Glorious Revolution, the Ankh-Morpork equivalent of a civil war.

Vimes finds himself in the Ankh-Morpork of his youth, a city rife with unrest and political intrigue. He is thrust into the role of mentor to the young Sam Vimes of that era, a naive but determined rookie watchman. He also must find a way to stop Carcer, a ruthless and psychopathic criminal who has also traveled back in time with him, and who seeks to exploit the chaos of the revolution for his own gain.

The book explores the events leading up to the revolution, focusing on the struggles of the ordinary citizens and the corruption of the Patrician's regime. Vimes, despite being out of place in time, uses his future knowledge and his inherent sense of justice to influence events and ultimately shape the future he knows. He must ensure that history unfolds as he remembers it, while also guiding his younger self towards the path that will eventually lead him to become the Commander Vimes of the present day.

Key characters in Night Watch include:

• Samuel Vimes: The protagonist, a time-traveling commander who must navigate the treacherous waters of the past.
• Young Sam Vimes: A rookie watchman, learning the ropes under the (sometimes unconventional) tutelage of his older self.
• Carcer: A psychopathic criminal who seeks to exploit the revolution for his own benefit.
• Captain "Old Stoneface" Keel: (Vimes in disguise) A mysterious figure who guides and inspires the Watch.
• Lord Winder: The corrupt Patrician of Ankh-Morpork during the revolution.
• Doctor Lawn: A respected physician who provides aid to the injured and suffering.
• Reg Shoe: A member of the Unmentionables, campaigning for rights.

Night Watch is often considered one of the best Discworld novels, praised for its complex plot, compelling characters, and insightful commentary on social and political issues. It won the Wodehouse Award for Comic Fiction in 2003.