# Is "Slouching Towards Bethlehem" by Joan Didion a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1968) is identified by: First edition, first printing: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, published May 10, 1968, with the statement 'First printing, 1968' on the copyright page. US FSG 1968 is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First edition, first printing: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, published May 10, 1968, with the statement 'First printing, 1968' on the copyright page
- Bound in cream boards backed with orange cloth, the spine lettered in gilt, with decorative blindstamping to the front board and yellow endpapers
- First-issue dust jacket designed by Lawrence Ratzkin and retaining its printed price
- Didion's debut essay collection and a cornerstone of New Journalism; the 'First printing, 1968' line is the key point
- Publisher imprint reads Farrar, Straus and Giroux
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Joan Didion |
| Publisher | Farrar, Straus and Giroux |
| Year | 1968 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First edition, first printing: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, published May 10, 1968, with the statement 'First printing, 1968' on the… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First edition, first printing: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, published May 10, 1968, with the statement 'First printing, 1968' on the copyright page. Bound in cream boards backed with orange cloth, the spine lettered in gilt, with decorative blindstamping to the front board and yellow endpapers. First-issue dust jacket designed by Lawrence Ratzkin and retaining its printed price. Didion's debut essay collection and a cornerstone of New Journalism; the 'First printing, 1968' line is the key point.

## Is this the true first?
US FSG 1968 is the true first. A cornerstone of New Journalism; signed Didion firsts carry strong premiums. The 'First printing, 1968' statement is the key point.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions lack the 'First printing, 1968' line, carry a blind board stamp, are slightly smaller, and have unpriced jackets.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Slouching Towards Bethlehem* by Joan Didion a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/slouching-towards-bethlehem
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.