# Is "The Future of Life" by E. O. Wilson a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Future of Life by E. O. Wilson (Alfred A. Knopf, 2002) is identified by: Knopf states 'First Edition' on the copyright page beneath the Borzoi colophon, with a number line descending to 1. US true first (Knopf, New York, 2002).

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Alfred A. Knopf states 'First Edition' on the copyright page beneath the Borzoi colophon, with a number line descending to 1
- The binding is quarter green paper over white paper boards with gilt lettering to the spine; the pictorial dust jacket carries the painting by Isabella Kirkland and bears its printed price on the front flap
- First-issue text runs to roughly 229 pages
- Publisher imprint reads Alfred A. Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | E. O. Wilson |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Year | 2002 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Alfred A. Knopf states 'First Edition' on the copyright page beneath the Borzoi colophon, with a number line descending to 1 |
| Book-club edition exists? | No |

## Points of issue
Alfred A. Knopf states 'First Edition' on the copyright page beneath the Borzoi colophon, with a number line descending to 1. The binding is quarter green paper over white paper boards with gilt lettering to the spine; the pictorial dust jacket carries the painting by Isabella Kirkland and bears its printed price on the front flap. First-issue text runs to roughly 229 pages.

## Is this the true first?
US true first (Knopf, New York, 2002).

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No prominent book-club edition; confirm the Knopf first by the stated 'First Edition' together with the number line ending in 1 and the quarter-green binding.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Future of Life* by E. O. Wilson a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-future-of-life
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.