# Is "Darwin's Blade" by Dan Simmons a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Darwin's Blade by Dan Simmons (William Morrow, 2000) is identified by: First US edition, William Morrow, New York, 2000, stating 'First Edition' with a full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page. US Morrow edition is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First US edition, William Morrow, New York, 2000, stating 'First Edition' with a full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page
- Bound in black boards with silver spine lettering
- The dust jacket should retain its printed front-flap price unclipped
- Publisher imprint reads William Morrow
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Dan Simmons |
| Publisher | William Morrow |
| Year | 2000 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First US edition, William Morrow, New York, 2000, stating 'First Edition' with a full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First US edition, William Morrow, New York, 2000, stating 'First Edition' with a full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page. Bound in black boards with silver spine lettering. The dust jacket should retain its printed front-flap price unclipped.

## Is this the true first?
US Morrow edition is the true first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions lack the number line and jacket price.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Darwin's Blade* by Dan Simmons a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/darwins-blade
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.