The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight
The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight is a comic novel by Jimmy Breslin, first published by Viking Press in New York in 1969. A roman à clef drawing on the life of the mobster Joey Gallo, it was filmed by James Goldstone in 1971. Hutchinson published it in the UK in 1970.
- Editions tracked
- 2
- First edition
- Viking, 1969
- First published
- Viking Press, New York, 1969
- First UK edition
- Hutchinson, 1970
The first edition of The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight by Jimmy Breslin was published in New York by Viking in 1969. We track 2 editions.
Which edition do you have?
First edition
- 1st Viking1969 Hardback I own The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight, Viking 1969 Log in to want this
Later and other editions
- Hutchinson1970 Hardback I own The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight, Hutchinson 1970 Log in to want this
We have not yet researched the issue points for this book. If you know how to tell the first from later printings, tell us and we will credit you once it is checked against a second source.
Awards, adaptations and setting
In print
- Editions recorded
- 17 on Open Library, 14 in English
From Wikidata and Open Library, both CC0. A prize or a new adaptation often lifts demand for the first printing.
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How to Identify a First Edition
To identify a first edition, check that your copy is the first printing of the first edition. Read the copyright …
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For most books published since the 1920s, the original dust jacket carries a large share of the value, often most …
Read the guide →Frequently asked questions
Who published the first edition of The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight?
The first edition of The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight by Jimmy Breslin was published in New York by Viking in 1969.
How many editions of The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight are there?
We track 2 editions of The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight, including 1 first edition. Each has its own page with how to identify it.
Where these facts come from
- The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight (novel), Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
- The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight (editions), Open Library (openlibrary.org)
Every fact on this page was checked against the sources listed. Checked 10 November 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.