The points of issue
First hardcover from Ace Books, 1997; full number line ending in 1; priced dust jacket. No later-printing statement.
Is this the true first?
The US Ace 1997 hardcover is the true first. The UK Millennium edition (1998) is later. A thematic companion to The Forever War, not a direct sequel.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The Science Fiction Book Club edition has a rear-board blind-stamp, lacks the priced jacket, and uses cheaper boards.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Forever Peace a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First hardcover from Ace Books, 1997; full number line ending in 1; priced dust jacket. No later-printing statement.
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. The US Ace 1997 hardcover is the true first. The UK Millennium edition (1998) is later. A thematic companion to The Forever War, not a direct sequel.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The Science Fiction Book Club edition has a rear-board blind-stamp, lacks the priced jacket, and uses cheaper boards.
I have a first edition of Forever Peace — 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.