They’re metal(usually copper) plates that are used to “stamp” the foil text and logos on the book cover. Typically for Terry’s books the hardbound spine has the title stamped on. If you take off the paper jacket you’ll see what I mean. It’s called foil but it’s not always glossy/shiny, so sometimes it just looks like the text is printed on. The dies look like letterpress text but all in one piece.
Damn, I saw this thread too late. I just placed a B&N order yesterday. I liked “Going Postal” a lot. His writing has improved dramatically from his early attempts in the 80s. He is the rare author that seems to just get better as he writes more about his world. One might say the Anti-Anthony. Ironic that with “Colour of Magic”, Piers was the better writer at the time and now Piers is just a joke and Pratchett writes great and entertaining novels.
I even enjoyed the Tiffany books. I got those through the library.
Jim
Speaking of “Going Postal,” I really loved the villain character in it. He had a great deal of class, and was not, for Ankh-Morpokh, a particularly evil villain. Of course, this is Ankh-Morpokh, where you are considered a decent feller, really, if you only kill a few people rather than doing it all the time. He was, of course, a scheming diabolical genius who went toe to toe with Vetinari and nearly made off with his fortune. He lost, but he made a good show of it. I was… disappointed in the ending.
9th October??? Amazon.co.uk is telling me 20th September. Though WHSmiths is saying 24th September. Talk about confusing…
I just re-read it in preparation of the new book, and I came out of it hating Gilt a lot more than most Pratchett villains. He committed as much evil as other antagonists on the Disc - stealing, ruining lives, murder - but he didn’t have any sort of remotely decent justification. Most other villains are either mad (Mr. Teatime, Jeremy the Clockmaker), or inhuman (Elves, Auditors, inhabitants of the Dungeon Dimension), or people who just got in way over their heads in their various schemes (Edward D’Eath, Lupine Wonse). Gilt just wanted money, as much as he could get, and he didn’t care who got hurt in the way. His motivation was simply petty greed on a grand scale, which made his casual murders that much more unforgivable.
I agree that his eventual fate was a bit of a dramatic let down. Smacked a bit too much of narrative expediency: Pratchett couldn’t figure out a way for him to be killed as part of the story’s climax, but he didn’t want him to get away with everything, so he just offed him in a coda at the end. A bit disappointing, particularly coming at the end of such a strong novel.
I think I’m looking at the delivery date for me. Shipping across the Pond does take a fortnight or so.
But I have to have matching covers. It’s a mild compulsion, and I can deal with it if I have to, but still…if an author is going to take up that much of my shelf space, then the covers have to match!
I may just ask the Hogfather for this one.
Usually the hardbacks are too pricey for grown-up presents in our family, but I (finally) hooked my dad into the series by lending him my daughter’s Tiffany Aching books. I’d tried before with some of the watch books, but they were too ‘silly’ - now they’re his favourites.
Making Money could well be a gift for the whole family (excempt mum, who will roll her eyes and scoff the scorched almonds.
Mine’s on pre-order too, and as I speak I have had no emails. amazon still says the estimated date of delivery is 20-21 sept.
edit: In any case today I ordered the wit and wisdom of lu-tze
and completely unrelated:The Naked God - Peter F Hamilton… For me a complete gamble/shot in the dark. I Have never tried this author before.
It’s apparently the third book of a trilogy.
I know, (found out after buying it) but that never did me any harm with the asimov elijah bailey series of books. Do you reckon I should read the trilogy in order?
Edit: I read a few lines in the shop and decided I wanted to start with this one. Not sure why.
I just got an email today–it shipped yesterday.
Who knows what’s doin’.
Yes, you should definitly read them in order, if for no other reason than the third book sucks balls. A really disappointing cap to what started out as an excellent trilogy.
So, anyone else get the book yet?
I’m trying to get an Amazon certificate with the MyPoints I’ve added up, (just bought a house, so I can’t use my “real” budget on pricey books) but the last stupid sixty points are still “pending”.
grumblestupid website won’t just give me what I want grumble
Okay, anyone else finish it yet?
I haven’t even got it yet!! I have to wait till payday 
Reachers’ death was presaged in Moists’ survival - as soon as Moist discovered that Reacher was more skilled but more arrogant than he was, it was obvious that Vetinari would offer Gilt the same same deal he offered Moist, and that Gilt would not see the pit. Half the novel is the setup for Gilts’ fall.
Si
Yep.
Yeah, I know. Doesn’t change my criticism.
I’m not sure that Gilt was entirely sane. He did, after all, employ an Igor, and Igors don’t generally work for sane people. But I think the ending fit, sort of. Gilt was a lot like von Lipwig…they were both con artists who got caught in their cons, and so the end of the book brings you back around to the beginning.