# Is "On Wings of Eagles" by Ken Follett a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of On Wings of Eagles by Ken Follett (William Morrow, 1983) is identified by: William Morrow first printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page; the first US issue is in a priced dust jacket. The UK Collins edition, London 1983, is generally regarded as the true first; the US William Morrow edition of 1983 is the first American edition.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- William Morrow first printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page; the first US issue is in a priced dust jacket
- This is a work of nonfiction
- Publisher imprint reads William Morrow
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Ken Follett |
| Publisher | William Morrow |
| Year | 1983 |
| True first | UK edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | William Morrow first printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page; the first US… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
William Morrow first printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page; the first US issue is in a priced dust jacket. This is a work of nonfiction.

## Is this the true first?
The UK Collins edition, London 1983, is generally regarded as the true first; the US William Morrow edition of 1983 is the first American edition. Both appeared in 1983.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club copies show a blind stamp to the rear board and omit the 'First Edition' statement.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *On Wings of Eagles* by Ken Follett a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/on-wings-of-eagles
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.