The points of issue
Cloth-backed boards; copyright page carries the FSG dated statement 'First edition, 2011'; first-state priced dust jacket.
Is this the true first?
US Farrar, Straus and Giroux (New York) is the true first, 2011; the UK Allen Lane edition appeared the same year.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Confirm the 'First edition, 2011' statement on the copyright page. The title was heavily reprinted, so later printings (which alter or drop that dated statement) are common.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Thinking, Fast and Slow a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Cloth-backed boards; copyright page carries the FSG dated statement 'First edition, 2011'; first-state priced dust jacket.
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. US Farrar, Straus and Giroux (New York) is the true first, 2011; the UK Allen Lane edition appeared the same year.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Confirm the 'First edition, 2011' statement on the copyright page. The title was heavily reprinted, so later printings (which alter or drop that dated statement) are common.
I have a first edition of Thinking, Fast and Slow — 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.