Making Money

First published on 20 September 2007 by Doubleday. It is the thirty-sixth Discworld novel and the second Moist von Lipwig book.

The novel is a satire of modern banking, fiat currency, and the way financial systems work by collective belief rather than physical backing. Pratchett's central joke is that money works because everyone agrees it does — a confidence trick performed by society on itself.

Recommended but not required. Moist's character and his relationship with Adora Belle are both richer with Going Postal's context. The novel provides enough backstory to work independently, but Going Postal first is the better experience.

Adora Belle has discovered a cache of ancient golems — clay workers from a previous civilization — in the desert. Their potential value, and what she plans to do with them, runs as a parallel plot to Moist's banking crisis.

Critical and reader opinion varies. Making Money is generally considered very good but slightly below Going Postal in terms of narrative drive and satirical focus. Raising Steam, the third Moist book, is often seen as the weakest of the three.