# Is "The Killer Angels" by Michael Shaara a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara (David McKay Company, 1974) is identified by: David McKay 1974 first printing: the copyright page carries no later-printing statement or number line indicating a subsequent printing. US David McKay 1974 is the true first.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- David McKay 1974 first printing: the copyright page carries no later-printing statement or number line indicating a subsequent printing
- The first-issue dust jacket retains the original printed price on the front flap
- A notoriously scarce true first; the first printing is genuinely uncommon, so confirm the copyright page shows no later-printing line and the jacket is the first-issue priced state
- Publisher imprint reads David McKay Company
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Michael Shaara |
| Publisher | David McKay Company |
| Year | 1974 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | David McKay 1974 first printing: the copyright page carries no later-printing statement or number line indicating a subsequent printing |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
David McKay 1974 first printing: the copyright page carries no later-printing statement or number line indicating a subsequent printing. The first-issue dust jacket retains the original printed price on the front flap. A notoriously scarce true first; the first printing is genuinely uncommon, so confirm the copyright page shows no later-printing line and the jacket is the first-issue priced state.

## Is this the true first?
US David McKay 1974 is the true first. The first printing is scarce; verify the copyright page lacks any later-printing line and the jacket is the first-issue priced state.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings add printing statements; book-club editions bear a blind-stamp to the rear board and unpriced jackets. The later Ballantine and Random House reissues are not firsts.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Killer Angels* by Michael Shaara a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-killer-angels
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.