The points of issue
First printing, copyright page stating 'First published 1971'. First volume of Greene's autobiography.
Is this the true first?
The Bodley Head London edition is the true first; a Simon & Schuster (US) edition followed in 1971.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club issue noted for the first printing.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of A Sort of Life a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First printing, copyright page stating 'First published 1971'. First volume of Greene's autobiography.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. The Bodley Head London edition is the true first; a Simon & Schuster (US) edition followed in 1971.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No book-club issue noted for the first printing.
I have a first edition of A Sort of Life — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.