[Urlik]

Originally Posted by The Ace

There seems to be a bit of confusion here.

Reading the Discworld in order isn't as straightforward as it sounds;

MP, Pyramids, The Truth and MR were written to stand alone.

COM, LF, Sourcery, Eric and IT are an arc.(Rincewind).

ER,WS, WA, LL, etc form a second arc, to get the best from them, these should also be read in order.(the Witches

Mort, RM, SM, Hogfather and TT form yet another story arc.(Death)

GG, MAA, FC, Jingo, FE,NW and Thud, comprise yet another series (the Watch)

Although probably not intended to originally, the Discworld has grown into a number of series, each dependant on its predecessors within its own arc. Thus, reading 'The fifth Elephant,' or 'Jingo,' before 'Guards, Guards,' would detract from these a bit.

I would add The Truth to the Watch series as Vimes and the Patrician play a significant role although not as the main protagonists.
it could be read as a stand alone, but I would recommend at least reading in order up to Feet of Clay before reading The Truth (or Monstrous Regiment, for that matter, just so you have a fuller picture of Vimes' character for his appearances in that book as well)