The points of issue
Stated 'First published 1987'; Jonathan Cape boards and dust jacket. A collection of five linked stories on nuclear themes, prefaced by the introductory essay 'Thinkability'.
Is this the true first?
UK Cape (1987) is generally taken as the true first; the US first edition appeared the same year (1987) from Harmony Books, New York. The UK edition is the customary first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No notable book-club edition concern.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Einstein's Monsters a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Stated 'First published 1987'; Jonathan Cape boards and dust jacket. A collection of five linked stories on nuclear themes, prefaced by the introductory essay 'Thinkability'.
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. UK Cape (1987) is generally taken as the true first; the US first edition appeared the same year (1987) from Harmony Books, New York. The UK edition is the customary first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No notable book-club edition concern.
I have a first edition of Einstein's Monsters — 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.