"An eminently readable comedy of modern war" (New York Times), Men at Arms is the first novel in Evelyn Waugh's brilliant Sword of Honor trilogy.
Guy Crouchback, determined to get into the war, takes a commission in the Royal Corps of Halberdiers. His spirits high, he sees all the trimmings but none of the action. And his first campaign, an abortive affair on the West African coastline, ends with an escapade that seriously blots his Halberdier copybook.
Men at Arms is the first novel in Waugh's brilliant Sword of Honor trilogy recording the tumultuous wartime adventures of Guy Crouchback ("the finest work of fiction in English to emerge from World War II" --Atlantic Monthly), which also comprises Officers and Gentlemen and Unconditional Surrender.
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"I read this again this weekend without knowing that I had read it in the first place. There are so many discworld books that it can get confusing which ones I have read! This book is spectacular. It is creative with a good attention to detail, and most importantly it does not break any of the rules that the author makes it. The world feels real, the story is made to fit the world, not the other way around with places being added left and right. However the reason I do not rate this a 5 stars is because the tone stays the same throughout the book and does not build to a climax or go down or anything. This is partly because there are so many main characters and switches of viewpoint, but I think Pratchett could have been a bit more careful to properly build suspense and interest. Overall the story is very genuine while staying imaginative, a aspect in all of Pratchett's work."
— Owenshs12 (4 out of 5 stars)
“An eminently readable comedy of modern war.”
— New York Times“The wittiest of war novels and, in its own way, one of the honestest.”
— New York Herald Tribune“Reading Men at Arms is like hearing a full keyboard used by a pianist who has hitherto confined himself to a single octave. Waugh is fully alive to the fact that no modern war is just a soldier’s war. The drawing rooms, kitchens, and clubs of the home front interest him just as much as the barracks and the tents. To Waugh—and to the reader, after Waugh has waved his magic wand of characterization—mediocrity seems not only a human condition but a fascinating one.”
— Atlantic MonthlyHighly entertaining.
— Atlantic MonthlyAn eminently readable comedy of modern war...frequently hilarious, sometimes touching.
— Alice Morris, New York TimesReading Men at Arms is like hearing a full keyboard used by a pianist who has hitherto confined himself to a single octave. Waugh is fully alive to the fact that no modern war is just a soldier's war. The drawing rooms, kitchens, and clubs of the home front interest him just as much as the barracks and the tents....To Waugh--and to the reader, after Waugh has waved his magic wand of characterization--mediocrity seems not only a human condition but a fascinating one.
— TIMEA highly entertaining novel about some of the preposterious experiences of the Second World War....Men at Arms has none of the ponderous detail, none of the piled-on brutality, which have made so many war books a heavy burden. Waugh's sharp wit and sure touch of satire are always at work.
— Edward Weeks, Atlantic Monthly" I'm working my way back through all the night watch books in audio this time and it's so fun! I think the first ones are read by Nigel Planer and the later ones are read by Stephen Briggs (HOW do I know this?) People seem to feel strongly about both readers, loving one and hating the other. I like them both very much although I like Brigg's Vimes better. That said, I have a little soft spot for Planer in that he makes Vimes sound like he has a cold all the time. :-) "
— Michele, 2/8/2014" One of my two favorite Discworld books. "
— John, 2/1/2014" This was another enjoyable read from the city watch series, which in my opinion is Discworlds best story arc. it has a good amount of hilarity, but its also serious when it needs to be. New characters are introduced (gaspode is awesome) and old characters (especially Carrot) are starting to hit their stride. very entertaining. 4 stars. "
— Jay, 2/1/2014" By far my favorite discworld novel! Just fantastic characters and enjoyable humor! "
— Dan, 1/22/2014" EXCELLENT! Definitely the point where the City Watch stories hit their stride; I loved Men At Arms ever so much; funny, pointed, clever, interesting, and everything I've come to expect from their entries into the Discworld 'verse. Highly recommended! "
— Mariella, 1/16/2014" My second Discworld novel, and probably my favourite. "
— Crazyjamie, 1/13/2014" a favorite of mine, super fun and a wicked sense of humor. one i turn to whenever i want something fun and easy to read although it always seems to draw me into reading the whole series "
— John, 1/8/2014" Rereading what can I say. And now finished. Supurb, you just can't beat mr Pratchett! "
— Firstwaszero, 11/24/2013" Ankh-Morpork is under threat from a killer armed with the discworld's first ever gun and the Watch must catch him before he kills again. A brilliant thriller that might be the first in which Pratchett considered the gradual evolution of technology within the discworld. "
— Christopher, 11/24/2013" Reading these books again is great; I was laughing so hard. . . --From A Reader's Journal, by d r melbie. "
— David, 11/20/2013" Pretty funny! I must remember NOT to read these Discworld books back to back. They lose their "flavor". "
— Georgene, 10/11/2013" The "City Watch" series of books are some of my favorites in the Discworld series and this is where they really take off. "
— Travis, 9/20/2013" Things fall into place too easily. But what I loved is that though Discworld is a new world, it is a familiar world. The style draws you in and you can relate to the characters. Humour is another hallmark of the book... "
— Meera, 9/13/2013" I'd forgotten how good this was, and how brilliant some of the throw-away jokes were "
— Andrew, 7/25/2013" I'm ill so I'm allowed to read Terry Practchett. It's the literary equivalent to lemon and honey. "
— Rosie, 6/10/2013" Good solid Pratchett, good characters, among whom my favorites were Cuddy the Dwarf and his partner Detritus the Troll. Some fun satire on police procedurals. I don't have too much to say because I read this in bits, interrupted by another book, and that tends to dull the overall effect. "
— Katharine, 5/5/2013" Another cracking Guards episode! "
— Seawood, 4/12/2013" Don't rate "Guards! Guards!" 5/5. If you do, you won't have enough stars to rate this one and remain accurate. "
— Johnny, 3/18/2013" A compelling mystery, complete with Discworld wackiness and Pratchett's dry wit. "
— Elizabeth, 3/1/2013" Perhaps the best Discworld book so far. It's got everything: dogs, trolls, dwarfs, an orangutan (of course) and others of questionable "mortal status." "
— Marc, 12/31/2012" They are all good and this is the best so far. Compulsory reading for NRA members and so great on diversity. It's also very funny. "
— Rowan, 12/29/2012" One of my favorite Terry Pratchett novels. Sir Vimes is simply amazing and complex, and the novel lets the reader dwell into the idea of time and magic. "
— JoJo, 12/27/2012Evelyn Waugh (1903–1966) was born October 28, 1903 in London, England. After short periods as an art student and schoolmaster, he devoted himself to travel and to the writing of novels. His novels are unusually highly wrought and precisely written. Those written before 1939 may be described as satirical. During World War II his writing took a more serious and ambitious turn. Waugh also wrote travel books.
Christian Rodska has worked in theaters all over the United Kingdom and in the West End, and he has recorded hundreds of radio plays and poetry programs. Over the last thirty years he has worked regularly in television, from early programs such as Follyfoot and Doomwatch, to Taggart, Sharpe, and Wycliffe. He has recorded over one hundred audiobooks and has won several awards, including fourteen AudioFile Earphones Awards.