Product Description

A Discworld novel fully illustrated in lavish colour throughout its 160 pages, this is an essential part of any Discworld collection. It stars the legendary Cohen. He's been a legend in his own lifetime. He can remember when a hero didn't have to worry about fences and lawyers and civilisation, and when people didn't tell you off for killing dragons. But he can't always remember, these days, where he put his teeth . . . So now, with his ancient sword and his new walking stick and his old friends -- and they're very old friends -- Cohen the Barbarian is going on one final quest. He's going to climb the highest mountain in the Discworld and meet his gods. The last hero in the world is going to return what the first hero stole. With a vengeance. That'll mean the end of the world, if no one stops him in time.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #49360 in Books
• Published on: 2002-08-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
A new Discworld story is always an event. Terry Pratchett's The Last Hero is unusually short, a 40,000-word "Discworld Fable" rather than a full novel, but is illustrated throughout in sumptuous colour by Paul Kidby.

The 160 pages cover the series' longest and most awesome (but still comic) journey yet, a mission to save all Discworld from a new threat. An old threat, actually. Aged warrior Cohen the Barbarian has decided to go out with a bang and take the gods with him. So, with the remnants of his geriatric Silver Horde, he's climbing to the divine retirement home Dunmanifestin with the Discworld equivalent of a nuke--a 50-pound keg of Agatean Thunder Clay. This will, for excellent magical reasons, destroy the world.

It's up to Leonard of Quirm, Discworld's da Vinci, to invent the technology that might just beat Cohen to his goal. His unlikely vessel is powered by dragons, crewed by himself and two popular regular characters, and secretly harbours a stowaway. Before long we hear the Discworld version of "Houston, we have a problem..."

Kidby rises splendidly to the challenge of painting both funny faces and cosmic vistas. As Pratchett puts it, The Last Hero "has an extra dimension: some parts of it are written in paint!" New characters include Evil Dark Lord Harry Dread, who started out with "just two lads and his Shed of Doom", and a god so tiresome that his worshippers are forbidden chocolate, ginger, mushrooms and garlic.

Pratchett's story alone is strong and effective, with several hair-raising frissons contrasting with high comedy; Kidby's paintings make it something very special. Don't miss this one. --David Langford

About the Author
Paul Kidby discovered Terry Pratchett's Discworld in 1993 and since then has devoted his working life to the place. He is the illustrator of THE PRATCHETT PORTFOLIO, the bestsellers THE LAST HERO and THE ART OF DISCWORLD, as well as the Discworld DIARIES, cards, T-shirts, maps, mugs and, of course, the covers. Terry Pratchett is a publishing phenomenon. He is the bestselling British author ever, accounts for 1% of national book sales, is the most shoplifted author and sells around the world. Every Discworld novel since SOURCERY has been a Number One bestseller. Paul Kidby is Pratchett's Discworld artist of choice. He has illustrated all the Diaries and has contributed to a number of Calendars. He has provided the jacket illustrations for a number of Discworld projects, including THE SCIENCE OF DISCWORLD 2.

Customer Reviews

The Last Hero is one of my favourites
Because, of course, the title says that Cohen is the "last" hero, and that is just one type. The other type are the three mismatched men sent by the wizards and patrician of a huge city state. I loved the illustrations (OMG PAUL KIDBY IS MY IDOL) and the story and together it is a masterpiece.

The Silver Horde's Last Adventure
The Last Hero is the seventh novel in the Rincewind story arc, following Cohen the Barbarian and his Silver Horde on their adventure to return fire to the gods. With interest. Since this would result in the end of all life on the Discworld, Rincewind, Captain Carrot and Leonerd of Quirm are sent to stop them, via a ship capable of diving over the rim and slingshotting around to the other side.

The novel itself is beautifully illustrated on every page, with detailed character and scene depictions, as well as diagrams and documents drawn up by Leonard of Quirm (all done with standard Pratchett style humour)

Cohan the Barbarian ... my hero
I have the hard back version of this and I love it. It is a large book of the illustrated discworld series.

I feel for Cohan and the 'boys' early on (their best appearance is in Interesting Times). This gives the story of the background to the silver hoard, it's well worth a look for any Pratchett fan.