# Is "Hard Revolution" by George Pelecanos a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Hard Revolution by George Pelecanos (Little, Brown, 2004) is identified by: Little, Brown, New York, 2004; 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a full descending number line (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1). US Little, Brown is the true first — a Derek Strange origin/prequel novel set largely in 1960s Washington, D.C.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Little, Brown, New York, 2004; 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a full descending number line (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1)
- Dust jacket artwork by Joe Servello; the priced jacket should retain its printed price on the true first (price-clipping does not by itself demote it)
- Publisher imprint reads Little, Brown
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | George Pelecanos |
| Publisher | Little, Brown |
| Year | 2004 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Little, Brown, New York, 2004; 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a full… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Little, Brown, New York, 2004; 'First Edition' stated on the copyright page with a full descending number line (10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1). Dust jacket artwork by Joe Servello; the priced jacket should retain its printed price on the true first (price-clipping does not by itself demote it).

## Is this the true first?
US Little, Brown is the true first — a Derek Strange origin/prequel novel set largely in 1960s Washington, D.C. (framed 1959 to 1968). A separate signed/limited edition (issued via Dennis McMillan) of 404 copies is distinct from the trade first: 104 copies in quarter-morocco calfskin and 300 in red Brillianta cloth in a custom slipcase, signed and numbered, some accompanied by a CD soundtrack. These are a separate collectible state, not the trade first printing.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No significant book-club issue affecting the trade first-printing point.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Hard Revolution* by George Pelecanos a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/hard-revolution
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.