The Red Badge of Courage

<b>Read this resonating tale that has never been out of print for over 100 years, in this beautifully designed volume.</b><br><br><b>This breakthrough novel of American literature changed the perception of what literature should be or do.</b> It is considered to be one of the most influential war stories every written. Taking place during the American Civil War, the story is about a young private of the Union Army, Henry Fleming, who flees from the field of battle. It was published in 1895, a full thirty years after the American Civil War had ended and quickly became the benchmark for modern anti-war literature. Although author Stephen Crane was born after the war and never participated in battle himself, he was highly praised by the Civil War veterans for having captured a realistic impression of their actual battlefield experiences and emotions.<br><br>The book deals with the meaning of courage as the young protagonist,Henry Fleming, is cast into a literal "trial by fire" that will take the full measure of his courage.Crane carefully traces the development of this young soldier, detailing the hopes, fears and rationalizations of his career.<br><br>Fleming had 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 with a wound, a “red badge,” so that none could accuse him thereafter of any inappropriate action.