The points of issue
First edition, first printing: Houghton Mifflin, 2001, with the full number line '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1' (the '1' present) on the copyright page. First-issue dust jacket priced (the printed price).
Is this the true first?
US Houghton Mifflin 2001 is the true first, preceding the UK Allen Lane/Penguin edition (which carries a different subtitle). Verify the full number line and 2001 date.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions lack the full '1' number line, are on thinner paper, and carry unpriced jackets.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Fast Food Nation a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition, first printing: Houghton Mifflin, 2001, with the full number line '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1' (the '1' present) on the copyright page. First-issue dust jacket priced (the printed price).
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. US Houghton Mifflin 2001 is the true first, preceding the UK Allen Lane/Penguin edition (which carries a different subtitle). Verify the full number line and 2001 date.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Book club editions lack the full '1' number line, are on thinner paper, and carry unpriced jackets.
I have a first edition of Fast Food Nation — 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.