# Is "The Years of Lyndon Johnson: Means of Ascent" by Robert A. Caro a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of The Years of Lyndon Johnson: Means of Ascent by Robert A. Caro (Alfred A. Knopf, 1990) is identified by: Knopf first printing has "First Edition" stated on the copyright page with the Borzoi colophon and a full number line descending to 1; 506 pages including Notes, Bibliography, and Index. US true first edition (Knopf, 1990); the US edition precedes.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Knopf first printing has "First Edition" stated on the copyright page with the Borzoi colophon and a full number line descending to 1
- 506 pages including Notes, Bibliography, and Index
- Bound in black cloth stamped in gilt on the spine and front cover, with gray endpapers
- The white dust jacket should carry the printed price on the front flap (unclipped preferred)
- Volume 2 of the LBJ series
- Publisher imprint reads Alfred A. Knopf
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Robert A. Caro |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf |
| Year | 1990 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Knopf first printing has "First Edition" stated on the copyright page with the Borzoi colophon and a full number line descending to 1 |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Knopf first printing has "First Edition" stated on the copyright page with the Borzoi colophon and a full number line descending to 1; 506 pages including Notes, Bibliography, and Index. Bound in black cloth stamped in gilt on the spine and front cover, with gray endpapers. The white dust jacket should carry the printed price on the front flap (unclipped preferred). Volume 2 of the LBJ series.

## Is this the true first?
US true first edition (Knopf, 1990); the US edition precedes.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book club editions are distinguished by the absence of a printed jacket price and a blind-stamped dimple to the rear board, and typically by lighter, thinner boards.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *The Years of Lyndon Johnson: Means of Ascent* by Robert A. Caro a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/the-years-of-lyndon-johnson-means-of-ascent
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.