Giles Goat-Boy - first US edition

by John Barth

Giles Goat Boy is a bizarre tale of the career of a mythical hero and religious prophet, set in a satirical microcosm of vast, computer-run universities.

Although the standard "First Edition" text does not appear on the copyright page, according to several sources, including Powell's, this is a first edition. This is evidenced by the appearance of the code "H18" on the last page of text. Sources referenced include: McBride's "Points of Issue ", Quill & Brush's "Author Price Guide ", and Joseph Weixman's "John Barth: A Bibliography " (Garland 1976). The first trade issue was 15,000 copies without the "slug". I have attached with the purchase receipt a response to a question printed in "Firsts" in December, 1991 which addresses this point specifically, confirming first edition status.