The points of issue
Nonfiction. Bantam hardcover with a number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; orange cloth spine over green boards.
Is this the true first?
The US Bantam hardcover is the true first. Sterling later released the text free electronically.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Trade edition only.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Hacker Crackdown a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Nonfiction. Bantam hardcover with a number line ending in 1 on the copyright page; orange cloth spine over green boards.
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. The US Bantam hardcover is the true first. Sterling later released the text free electronically.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Trade edition only.
I have a first edition of The Hacker Crackdown — 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.