Raising Steam

📘 About This Book

'The world lives between those who say it cannot be done and those who say that it can . . . it's just a matter of thinking creatively.' Moist von Lipwig is a con man turned civil servant. As head of the Royal Bank and Post Office of Ankh-Morpork, he doesn't really want or need another job. But when the Patrician Lord Vetinari gives you a task, you do it or suffer the consequences. In Moist's case, death. A brand-new invention has come to the city- a steam locomotive named Iron Girder, to be precise. With the railway's introduction and rapid expansion, Vetinari enlists Moist to represent the government and keep things on track. But as with all new technology, some people have objections, and Moist will have to use every trick in his arsenal to keep the trains running . . . 'The most serious of comedies, the most relevant and real of fantasies' Independent Raising Steam is the third and final book in the Moist von Lipwig series, but the Discworld novels can be read in any order.

📖 Summary

Raising Steam plunges readers back into the bustling, eccentric world of Ankh-Morpork, where technological innovation meets political maneuvering. At the center of this narrative is Moist von Lipwig, a former con man who has successfully transitioned into a respectable civil servant. As the head of the city's Royal Bank and Post Office, Moist is content with his current responsibilities and certainly does not need or want another demanding job. However, life in Ankh-Morpork follows the dictates of its ruler, the Patrician Lord Vetinari. When Vetinari assigns a task, refusal is simply not an option, as the alternative consequences ultimately lead to death. This time, the Patrician's assignment revolves around a brand-new invention that has arrived in the city: a powerful, revolutionary steam locomotive named the Iron Girder. With the sudden introduction and rapid expansion of the railway, Vetinari needs a capable representative to oversee the government's interests and ensure that this massive infrastructural project stays safely on track. Moist is thrust into the role, tasked with shepherding the future of transportation into a medieval-fantasy metropolis. As expected with any major technological shift, the Iron Girder and its tracks face intense resistance. Innovation naturally brings disruption, and not everyone is thrilled about the rapid changes sweeping across the landscape. Some traditionalists and skeptics harbor strong objections to the railway, viewing it as a threat to their way of life or simply an unnecessary complication. To navigate these turbulent waters, Moist von Lipwig must rely on every clever trick, subtle persuasion method, and unconventional strategy in his vast arsenal. He has to outsmart opponents, manage public relations, and solve logistical nightmares to keep the trains running on schedule. Terry Pratchett weaves a compelling narrative exploring how societies adapt to groundbreaking technologies, balancing humor, political intrigue, and character growth. The book captures the tension between those who believe something cannot be done and those who realize it is simply a matter of thinking creatively. Through Moist's journey, the story examines the growing pains of industrialization, the friction between tradition and progress, and the sheer grit required to push a civilization forward into a new era. It is a tale of adaptation, leadership, and the relentless momentum of human ingenuity, all delivered through a unique satirical lens.

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✍️ About the Author

Terry Pratchett

Terry Pratchett (1948-2015) was an English author celebrated for the 'Discworld' series, a satirical fantasy saga spanning over 40 novels known for its wit, social commentary, and inventive world-building.

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