The points of issue
First edition, Heinemann, London, 1960. Cloth boards with gilt spine lettering; 170 pages. Issued in a pictorial dust jacket designed by Peter Edwards, with no later-printing statement on the first impression.
Is this the true first?
Heinemann London 1960 is the true first edition. The US edition (Ivan Obolensky) followed in 1961. The novel is the second in Achebe's African Trilogy, between Things Fall Apart and Arrow of God.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The African Writers Series paperback (1963) and later printings are reprints.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of No Longer at Ease a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition, Heinemann, London, 1960. Cloth boards with gilt spine lettering; 170 pages. Issued in a pictorial dust jacket designed by Peter Edwards, with no later-printing statement on the first impression.
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. Heinemann London 1960 is the true first edition. The US edition (Ivan Obolensky) followed in 1961. The novel is the second in Achebe's African Trilogy, between Things Fall Apart and Arrow of God.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
The African Writers Series paperback (1963) and later printings are reprints.
I have a first edition of No Longer at Ease — 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.