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Terry Pratchett

Biography

Terry Pratchett

Sir Terence David John Pratchett, more commonly known as Terry Pratchett, was an English novelist, known for his frequently comical work in the fantasy genre. He was best known for his popular and long-running Discworld series of comic fantasy novels. Pratchett's first novel, THE CARPET PEOPLE, was published in 1971, and since his first Discworld novel (THE COLOR OF MAGIC) was published in 1983, he had been writing two books a year on average. Pratchett was also known for close collaboration on adaptations of his books.

In 2001, Pratchett won the Carnegie Medal for his children's novel THE AMAZING MAURICE AND HIS EDUCATED RODENTS. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) "for services to literature" in 1998. He was knighted in the 2009 New Year Honours.

In December 2007, Pratchett publicly announced that he was suffering from early onset Alzheimer's disease, subsequently making a substantial public donation to the Alzheimer's Research Trust, and filming a program chronicling his experiences with the disease for the BBC. He passed away on March 12, 2015 at the age of 66.

Terry Pratchett

Books by Terry Pratchett

by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter - Adventure, Fiction, Science Fiction

2070-71. Nearly six decades after Step Day, a new society continues to evolve in the Long Earth. Now, a message has been received: “Join us.” The Next --- the hyper-intelligent post-humans --- realize that the missive contains instructions for kick-starting the development of an immense artificial intelligence known as The Machine. But to build this computer the size of an Earth continent, they must obtain help from the more populous and still industrious worlds of mankind. This concluding volume of the Long Earth series explores the greatest question of all: What is the meaning of life?

by Terry Pratchett - Fantasy, Fiction, Short Stories

The first career-spanning collection of short fiction by Sir Terry Pratchett --- one of the most beloved and bestselling writers of our time --- A BLINK OF THE SCREEN charts the development of Pratchett’s creative vision throughout his prolific career, from his early writings in school to the dizzy mastery of the phenomenally successful Discworld series. Along the way, we are introduced to the first published pieces from Pratchett’s stint as a young journalist, the experimental stories that originated his later works, and the lyrics to the national anthem of Ankh-Morpork, among other treats.

by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter - Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction

Human society continues to evolve on Datum Earth as the spread of humanity progresses throughout the many Earths beyond. Lobsang suffers a breakdown and attempts to live a “normal” life on one of the millions of Long Earth worlds. His old friend, Joshua, searches for his father and discovers a heretofore unknown family history. But an alien planet has somehow become “entangled” with one of the Long Earth worlds. As Lobsang and Joshua learn, its voracious denizens intend to capture, conquer and colonize the new universe they have inadvertently discovered.

by Terry Pratchett - Essays, Nonfiction

A SLIP OF THE KEYBOARD brings together for the first time the finest examples of Terry Pratchett's nonfiction writing, both serious and surreal: from musings on mushrooms to what it means to be a writer (and why banana daiquiris are so important); from memories of Granny Pratchett to speculation about Gandalf's love life, and passionate defenses of the causes dear to him.

by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter - Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction

In the years after the cataclysmic Yellowstone eruption, there is massive economic dislocation as populations flee Datum Earth to myriad Long Earth worlds. Sally, Joshua and Lobsang are all involved in this perilous rescue work when Sally is contacted by her long-vanished father. He tells her he is planning a fantastic voyage across the Long Mars and wants her to accompany him. But Sally soon learns that he has an ulterior motive for his request.

by Terry Pratchett - Fantasy, Fiction

Steam is rising over Discworld, driven by Mister Simnel. He has produced a great clanging monster of a machine that harnesses the power of all of the elements, and it’s soon drawing astonished crowds. To the consternation of Ankh-Morpork’s formidable Patrician, Lord Vetinari, no one is in charge of this new invention. Who better to rectify this than the man he has already appointed master of the Post Office, the Mint and the Royal Bank: Moist von Lipwig.

by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter - Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction

A generation after the events of THE LONG EARTH, humankind has spread across the new worlds opened up by “stepping.” A new “America” --- Valhalla --- is emerging more than a million steps from Datum, our Earth. Valhalla is growing restless under the controlling long arm of the Datum government. Soon Joshua Valiente is summoned by Lobsang to deal with a building crisis that threatens to plunge the Long Earth into a war unlike any humankind has waged before.

by Terry Pratchett - Fantasy, Historical Fiction

Seventeen-year-old Dodger may be a street urchin, but he gleans a living from London's sewers, and he knows a jewel when he sees one. He's not about to let anything happen to the unknown girl --- not even if her fate impacts some of the most powerful people in England.

by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter - Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction

Police officer Monica Jansson is exploring the burned-out home of a reclusive scientist who seems to have vanished. Sifting through the wreckage, Jansson finds a curious gadget: a box containing some rudimentary wiring, a three-way switch, and…a potato. It is the prototype of an invention that will change the way humankind views the world forever.

by Terry Pratchett - Fantasy, Fiction

In this 38th entry to the esteemed Discworld canon, the beloved Commander Sam Vimes of the Ankh-Morpork City Watch is taking a vacation. But this is Discworld, where nothing goes as planned --- and hilarious adventure ensues. 

by Terry Pratchett - Adventure, Fantasy

When a giant wave destroys his village, Mau is the only one left. Daphne—a traveler from the other side of the globe—is the sole survivor of a shipwreck. Separated by language and customs, the two are united by catastrophe. Slowly, they are joined by other refugees. And as they struggle to protect the small band, Mau and Daphne defy ancestral spirits, challenge death himself, and uncover a long-hidden secret that literally turns the world upside down.

by Terry Pratchett - Fantasy, Fiction, Humor

Set in Terry Pratchett's widely popular Discworld, this masterfully crafted, gripping read is both compelling and funny. When one of the world's most acclaimed fantasy writers turns a classic fairy tale on its head, no one will ever look at the Pied Piper --- or rats --- the same way again!

by Terry Pratchett - Fantasy

Terry Pratchett's profoundly irreverent novels are consistent number one bestsellers in England, where they have garnered him a revered position in the halls of parody next to Mark Twain, Kurt Vonnegut, Douglas Adams, and Carl Hiaasen. THE COLOR OF MAGIC  is Terry Pratchett's maiden voyage through the now-legendary land of Discworld. This is where it all begins --- with the tourist Twoflower and his wizard guide, Rincewind.