# Is "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail" by Cheryl Strayed a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed (Alfred A. Knopf, 2012) is identified by: Copyright page states 'First Edition' with no later-printing statement. The US Knopf edition is the true first, preceding the UK (Atlantic Books) edition.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Copyright page states 'First Edition' with no later-printing statement
- Reddish-orange paper-covered boards with gilt spine lettering
- ISBN 0-307-59273-1
- First-issue jacket carries the printed price on the front flap and the date code '3/2012' on the rear flap
- Publisher imprint reads Alfred A. Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Cheryl Strayed |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Year | 2012 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Copyright page states 'First Edition' with no later-printing statement |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Copyright page states 'First Edition' with no later-printing statement. Reddish-orange paper-covered boards with gilt spine lettering; 315 pp; ISBN 0-307-59273-1. First-issue jacket carries the printed price on the front flap and the date code '3/2012' on the rear flap.

## Is this the true first?
The US Knopf edition is the true first, preceding the UK (Atlantic Books) edition. The book was heavily promoted as an Oprah's Book Club 2.0 selection; true firsts predate the Oprah-sticker printings. Published March 20, 2012.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later printings drop the 'First Edition' statement and change the rear-flap date code; Oprah's Book Club branding was added to the jacket on later issues. There is no traditional book-club hardcover; the tells are the 'First Edition' line, the '3/2012' rear-flap code, and the priced first-issue jacket.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail* by Cheryl Strayed a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/wild-from-lost-to-found-on-the-pacific-crest-trail
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.