~ Trade Paperback
The Red Badge of Courage: A Norton Critical Edition
Henry Fleming has joined the Union army because of his romantic ideas of military life, but soon finds himself in the middle of a battle against a regiment of Confederate soldiers. Terrified, Henry deserts his comrades. Upon returning to his regiment, he struggles with his shame as he tries to redeem himself and prove his courage.
The Red Badge of Courage is Stephen Crane’s second book, notable for its realism and the fact that Crane had never personally experienced battle. Crane drew heavy inspiration from Century Magazine (a periodical known for its articles about the American Civil War), however he criticized the articles for their lack of emotional depth, and decided to write a war novel of his own.