# Is "Bitterroot" by James Lee Burke a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Bitterroot by James Lee Burke (Simon & Schuster, 2001) is identified by: First US trade edition, Simon & Schuster 2001, stating 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1. US Simon & Schuster is the true first edition; third Billy Bob Holland novel and Burke's move to Simon & Schuster.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First US trade edition, Simon & Schuster 2001, stating 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1
- Bound in light blue boards with darker blue cloth over the spine and gilt spine lettering; issued in an illustrated dust jacket carrying the printed cover price, which should be present and unclipped on a fine copy
- Publisher imprint reads Simon & Schuster
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | James Lee Burke |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
| Year | 2001 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First US trade edition, Simon & Schuster 2001, stating 'First Edition' on the copyright… |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
First US trade edition, Simon & Schuster 2001, stating 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a full number line descending to 1. Bound in light blue boards with darker blue cloth over the spine and gilt spine lettering; issued in an illustrated dust jacket carrying the printed cover price, which should be present and unclipped on a fine copy.

## Is this the true first?
US Simon & Schuster is the true first edition; third Billy Bob Holland novel and Burke's move to Simon & Schuster. A separate B.E. Trice deluxe issue was signed and specially bound in 150 numbered and 26 lettered copies; these are distinct from the standard trade first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
None significant for the trade first edition; the stated 'First Edition' plus complete number line to 1 marks the first printing.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Bitterroot* by James Lee Burke a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/bitterroot
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.