# Is "The Forever War" by Joe Haldeman a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Forever War by Joe Haldeman (St. Martin's Press, 1974) is identified by: First printing has 'First Edition' stated with the number line ending in '1' and no later-printing notice; the recognized bibliographic point is Currey (page 215). US St.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- First printing has 'First Edition' stated with the number line ending in '1' and no later-printing notice; the recognized bibliographic point is Currey (page 215)
- Bound in cloth boards; first-issue dust jacket with its original printed price present on the front flap, some copies showing light rubbing to the blue background ink of the jacket
- Publisher imprint reads St. Martin's Press
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Joe Haldeman |
| Publisher | St. Martin's Press |
| Year | 1974 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | First printing has 'First Edition' stated with the number line ending in '1' and no later-printing notice; the recognized bibliographic… |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
First printing has 'First Edition' stated with the number line ending in '1' and no later-printing notice; the recognized bibliographic point is Currey (page 215). Bound in cloth boards; first-issue dust jacket with its original printed price present on the front flap, some copies showing light rubbing to the blue background ink of the jacket.

## Is this the true first?
US St. Martin's Press (1974) is the true first, preceding the UK Weidenfeld & Nicolson edition (1975); the point is confirmed by Currey, page 215. Nebula, Hugo, and Locus winner; scarce in fine first-issue condition.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
The Science Fiction Book Club issue is marked 'Book Club Edition' on the front flap, lacks the printed price, carries a blind-stamped dot to the rear board, and is printed on cheaper, bulkier paper.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Forever War* by Joe Haldeman a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-forever-war
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.