Jingo marks a shift in the Watch series between Vimes-the-cynical-cop and Vimes-the-reluctant diplomat. When a previous unknown island called Leshp rises exactly between Ankh-Morpork and the orientalist expy of Klatch, both sides sense an opportunity for a short victorious war, and it is up to Vimes and Vetinari to keep the peace however they can.

Much of the book is solid Discworld, but there are a few touches I liked. Vimes' imp-powered Disorganizer, playing out the fatal appointments from the sack of Ankh-Morpork as the two sides are about to come to blows is a particularly great scene. The humanization of all involved, and the frank anti-militarism are nice. I even enjoyed the Colin-Nobby-Vetinari B plot.