I have to wonder if some of Terry's earlier works, such as Fifth Elephant, had produced a lot of ideas that needed a place to go. Racisim, sexism, and all of the other little "isms" seem to intrigue him, and his novels give him a forum, even if the story plots come first. (Thank goodness for that!)

I'm interested in the problems his women characters run into when they break into a traditionally male environment. Besides MR, take a look at Angua as she fits herself into the watch. Not to mention her armor!