# Is "Some Can Whistle" by Larry McMurtry a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Some Can Whistle by Larry McMurtry (Simon & Schuster, 1989) is identified by: Simon & Schuster first printing identified by a full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; dated 1989; dust jacket present. True first is the US Simon & Schuster edition; McMurtry is a US author and the novel originated in the US.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Simon & Schuster first printing identified by a full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; dated 1989; dust jacket present
- Sequel to All My Friends Are Going to Be Strangers
- Publisher imprint reads Simon & Schuster
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Larry McMurtry |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
| Year | 1989 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Simon & Schuster first printing identified by a full number line ending in 1 on the… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Simon & Schuster first printing identified by a full number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; dated 1989; dust jacket present. Sequel to All My Friends Are Going to Be Strangers.

## Is this the true first?
True first is the US Simon & Schuster edition; McMurtry is a US author and the novel originated in the US.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition concern for the true first; the number line ending in 1 distinguishes the first printing.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Some Can Whistle* by Larry McMurtry a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/some-can-whistle
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.