# Is "Darwin's Radio" by Greg Bear a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Darwin's Radio by Greg Bear (Del Rey / Ballantine, 1999) is identified by: Del Rey (Ballantine Books) hardcover, first printing. The US Del Rey/Ballantine 1999 hardcover is the true first edition.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Del Rey (Ballantine Books) hardcover, first printing
- Copyright page carries a stated 'First Edition' line together with a full number line counting down to 1
- Priced dust jacket; publisher's boards
- ISBN 0-345-42333-X
- Publisher imprint reads Del Rey / Ballantine
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Greg Bear |
| Publisher | Del Rey / Ballantine |
| Year | 1999 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Del Rey (Ballantine Books) hardcover, first printing |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Del Rey (Ballantine Books) hardcover, first printing. Copyright page carries a stated 'First Edition' line together with a full number line counting down to 1. Priced dust jacket; publisher's boards. ISBN 0-345-42333-X.

## Is this the true first?
The US Del Rey/Ballantine 1999 hardcover is the true first edition. A separate UK HarperCollins edition appeared in 1999 and does not precede the US printing. (Novel won the Nebula Award for Best Novel presented in 2000 for 1999 publication.)

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The Science Fiction Book Club edition is distinguishable by an unpriced jacket, a blind-stamp depression (gutter dot) on the rear board, smaller bulk, and the absence of the Del Rey number line.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Darwin's Radio* by Greg Bear a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/darwins-radio
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.