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 Customer Reviews
Incredibly powerful, 10 Oct 2007
What's it's like to be in battle? Where do you get the courage to attack under enemy fire? If you're eager to find out without actually going into battle, John Keegan's book ''The Face of Battle" gives the best factual account that I know of, but for sheer emotional impact nothing outdoes "The Red Badge of Courage". Because it's fiction rather than fact this is the definitive book on the topic.
In a very simple and sparse language Crane succeeds in conveying the battle waged in Henry Fleming's mind (dreaming of heroism but confronted with cruelty and horror), and he does it with tremendous impact. So small a book yet so powerful, this is a gem everyone should read. Gripping stuff , 08 May 2007
Loved it. I must disagree with Mr. Shackley's review! I was prepared to find this booked dated and stilted, compared with modern-day war novels, but found quite the opposite: it evokes the "gut feel" of combat superbly - in fact the book it most reminded me of was Ambrose's "Band Of Brothers" in its evocation of company-level infantry fighting.
Sometimes it's a tiny detail of description that stays with me from a novel; in Tolstoy's "War And Peace", there is a scene where a Cossack cavalryman drifts in and out of sleep on the eve of a battle, listening to the sound of one of his comrades sharpening his sabre on rotating knife grinder. Here, the protagonist's company waits on the edge of a wood for the Confederate line to come through the smoke at them - in the tense silence, he hears the metallic "click" of musket hammers being cocked. That small observation made the hairs stand up on my neck - for a second, I was "there".
Amazingly, when he wrote this book, Crane was a young man who had never experienced war (although he would later do so as a front-line reporter), but his research and imagination were both clearly superb. Incidentally, Crane's life would itself have made a first-class novel (or film!) - he was everything Ernest Hemingway pretended to be, and James Dean-style, "lived fast, died young, and had a good-looking corpse".
Highly recommended.
Overrated, 22 Jan 2005
I do not believe that this book should be regarded as a classic. The novel tells about the adventures of a young soldier named Henry during the American Civil War, whose alacrity for fighting in the army soon fades as he is faced with the real horrors of war. Every other soldier the protagonist fights with, instead of being given a name, is labeled with an adjective such as 'loud soldier' or 'tall soldier'. Whilst I accept the author was trying to show the reader how anonymous the people you fight with are in a war, it also meant that the characters came across as flat and uninspiring, and the reader never gets to know or understand them. Although I have not enjoyed other classic works of literature in the past, I have always been able to see past my opinions and understand why they are regarded so highly. I did not feel that with this book at all. The prose was dull, the style did not engage me at all, and I am still struggling to understand why it is rated by so many people.
Overcoming Misconceptions:The Reality of War for Nonwarriors, 28 May 2004
Peace is a rare circumstance among major nations in the last 150 years. When war pushes peace out, everyone quickly realizes why peace is so important and desirable. When peace returns, the next generation can quickly fail to grasp its significance. In extreme cases, this can lead to romanticism of war. Books like The Red Badge of Courage and All Quiet on the Western Front are important ways to pass along the message of how undesirable war is. The Red Badge of Courage offers another benefit. Stephen Crane takes us into the mindset of mid-19th century America. At that time, the spiritual and the tangible were closely entertwined in peoples' minds. You will find a lot of religious metaphors in this book that a modern writer would be relatively unlikely to use. Another benefit of reading The Red Badge of Courage is that it helps to understand the profound effect that the Civil War has had on the United States. The significance of these events remains fresh for many Americans, while others ignore the events totally. Although it is certainly not an easy book to read, it can be a rewarding one. You will find that you can discuss this book with a high percentage of all the people you will ever meet who like to read. That's a pretty nice benefit from reading a fairly short book. I also recommend that you also think about where in your own life you have developed misconceptions that could harm you.
Brilliant!, 30 Oct 2001
A very credible journey into the mind of a raw young soldier experiencing war for the first time.
Engrossing, and hard to put down, Crane's skillful writing conveys exactly what one would percieve would be the internal battles a frightened youngster would experience in such a situation. Relatively short, but one of the best war novels ever!
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Customer Reviews
Incredibly powerful, 10 Oct 2007
What's it's like to be in battle? Where do you get the courage to attack under enemy fire? If you're eager to find out without actually going into battle, John Keegan's book ''The Face of Battle" gives the best factual account that I know of, but for sheer emotional impact nothing outdoes "The Red Badge of Courage". Because it's fiction rather than fact this is the definitive book on the topic.
In a very simple and sparse language Crane succeeds in conveying the battle waged in Henry Fleming's mind (dreaming of heroism but confronted with cruelty and horror), and he does it with tremendous impact. So small a book yet so powerful, this is a gem everyone should read. Gripping stuff , 08 May 2007
Loved it. I must disagree with Mr. Shackley's review! I was prepared to find this booked dated and stilted, compared with modern-day war novels, but found quite the opposite: it evokes the "gut feel" of combat superbly - in fact the book it most reminded me of was Ambrose's "Band Of Brothers" in its evocation of company-level infantry fighting.
Sometimes it's a tiny detail of description that stays with me from a novel; in Tolstoy's "War And Peace", there is a scene where a Cossack cavalryman drifts in and out of sleep on the eve of a battle, listening to the sound of one of his comrades sharpening his sabre on rotating knife grinder. Here, the protagonist's company waits on the edge of a wood for the Confederate line to come through the smoke at them - in the tense silence, he hears the metallic "click" of musket hammers being cocked. That small observation made the hairs stand up on my neck - for a second, I was "there".
Amazingly, when he wrote this book, Crane was a young man who had never experienced war (although he would later do so as a front-line reporter), but his research and imagination were both clearly superb. Incidentally, Crane's life would itself have made a first-class novel (or film!) - he was everything Ernest Hemingway pretended to be, and James Dean-style, "lived fast, died young, and had a good-looking corpse".
Highly recommended.
Overrated, 22 Jan 2005
I do not believe that this book should be regarded as a classic. The novel tells about the adventures of a young soldier named Henry during the American Civil War, whose alacrity for fighting in the army soon fades as he is faced with the real horrors of war. Every other soldier the protagonist fights with, instead of being given a name, is labeled with an adjective such as 'loud soldier' or 'tall soldier'. Whilst I accept the author was trying to show the reader how anonymous the people you fight with are in a war, it also meant that the characters came across as flat and uninspiring, and the reader never gets to know or understand them. Although I have not enjoyed other classic works of literature in the past, I have always been able to see past my opinions and understand why they are regarded so highly. I did not feel that with this book at all. The prose was dull, the style did not engage me at all, and I am still struggling to understand why it is rated by so many people.
Overcoming Misconceptions:The Reality of War for Nonwarriors, 28 May 2004
Peace is a rare circumstance among major nations in the last 150 years. When war pushes peace out, everyone quickly realizes why peace is so important and desirable. When peace returns, the next generation can quickly fail to grasp its significance. In extreme cases, this can lead to romanticism of war. Books like The Red Badge of Courage and All Quiet on the Western Front are important ways to pass along the message of how undesirable war is. The Red Badge of Courage offers another benefit. Stephen Crane takes us into the mindset of mid-19th century America. At that time, the spiritual and the tangible were closely entertwined in peoples' minds. You will find a lot of religious metaphors in this book that a modern writer would be relatively unlikely to use. Another benefit of reading The Red Badge of Courage is that it helps to understand the profound effect that the Civil War has had on the United States. The significance of these events remains fresh for many Americans, while others ignore the events totally. Although it is certainly not an easy book to read, it can be a rewarding one. You will find that you can discuss this book with a high percentage of all the people you will ever meet who like to read. That's a pretty nice benefit from reading a fairly short book. I also recommend that you also think about where in your own life you have developed misconceptions that could harm you.
Brilliant!, 30 Oct 2001
A very credible journey into the mind of a raw young soldier experiencing war for the first time.
Engrossing, and hard to put down, Crane's skillful writing conveys exactly what one would percieve would be the internal battles a frightened youngster would experience in such a situation. Relatively short, but one of the best war novels ever!
Couldn't put it down!, 30 Jun 2006
Style - 3/5
Plot - 4/5
Readability - 4/5
I'm the first to admit that some books will have quite a limited audience and this is probably one of them. However this is a fantasitic story and if you didn't know that Crane wrote it without having any knowledge or experience of battle himself you wouldn't guess it.
It is a good example of trying to atone for the sins of the past by the actions of the present.
I found it very readable and got through it,whilst still being able to enjoy it, in a day.
Overrated, 22 Jan 2005
I do not believe that this book should be regarded as a classic. The novel tells about the adventures of a young soldier named Henry during the American Civil War, whose alacrity for fighting in the army soon fades as he is faced with the real horrors of war. Every other soldier the protagonist fights with, instead of being given a name, is labeled with an adjective such as 'loud soldier' or 'tall soldier'. Whilst I accept the author was trying to show the reader how anonymous the people you fight with are in a war, it also meant that the characters came across as flat and uninspiring, and the reader never gets to know or understand them. Although I have not enjoyed other classic works of literature in the past, I have always been able to see past my opinions and understand why they are regarded so highly. I did not feel that with this book at all. The prose was dull, the style did not engage me at all, and I am still struggling to understand why it is rated by so many people.
The Red Badge of Cowardice, 24 Sep 2003
There are several fascinating aspects to this example of Stephen Crane's work, in this case most apparant is that he was never in the army, fired a gun or had any direct expereience of warfare, yet this book captures the sprawling, human dynamic of early gun battles in the American Civil war with surprising insight. Through the characters we expore the meaning of the war itself, to nations and individuals. Though the main chacter can be slightly annoying with his constant pondering on any issue related to war and his descisions when under fire, it is undoubtedly written by a man who's own character is reflected - Crane's own inexperience of all matters realted to the subject he is writing about is mirrored in the youthful soldier's inexperience and intellectual pontificating. would thoroughly reccommend this to readers of all ages.
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Customer Reviews
Incredibly powerful, 10 Oct 2007
What's it's like to be in battle? Where do you get the courage to attack under enemy fire? If you're eager to find out without actually going into battle, John Keegan's book ''The Face of Battle" gives the best factual account that I know of, but for sheer emotional impact nothing outdoes "The Red Badge of Courage". Because it's fiction rather than fact this is the definitive book on the topic.
In a very simple and sparse language Crane succeeds in conveying the battle waged in Henry Fleming's mind (dreaming of heroism but confronted with cruelty and horror), and he does it with tremendous impact. So small a book yet so powerful, this is a gem everyone should read. Gripping stuff , 08 May 2007
Loved it. I must disagree with Mr. Shackley's review! I was prepared to find this booked dated and stilted, compared with modern-day war novels, but found quite the opposite: it evokes the "gut feel" of combat superbly - in fact the book it most reminded me of was Ambrose's "Band Of Brothers" in its evocation of company-level infantry fighting.
Sometimes it's a tiny detail of description that stays with me from a novel; in Tolstoy's "War And Peace", there is a scene where a Cossack cavalryman drifts in and out of sleep on the eve of a battle, listening to the sound of one of his comrades sharpening his sabre on rotating knife grinder. Here, the protagonist's company waits on the edge of a wood for the Confederate line to come through the smoke at them - in the tense silence, he hears the metallic "click" of musket hammers being cocked. That small observation made the hairs stand up on my neck - for a second, I was "there".
Amazingly, when he wrote this book, Crane was a young man who had never experienced war (although he would later do so as a front-line reporter), but his research and imagination were both clearly superb. Incidentally, Crane's life would itself have made a first-class novel (or film!) - he was everything Ernest Hemingway pretended to be, and James Dean-style, "lived fast, died young, and had a good-looking corpse".
Highly recommended.
Overrated, 22 Jan 2005
I do not believe that this book should be regarded as a classic. The novel tells about the adventures of a young soldier named Henry during the American Civil War, whose alacrity for fighting in the army soon fades as he is faced with the real horrors of war. Every other soldier the protagonist fights with, instead of being given a name, is labeled with an adjective such as 'loud soldier' or 'tall soldier'. Whilst I accept the author was trying to show the reader how anonymous the people you fight with are in a war, it also meant that the characters came across as flat and uninspiring, and the reader never gets to know or understand them. Although I have not enjoyed other classic works of literature in the past, I have always been able to see past my opinions and understand why they are regarded so highly. I did not feel that with this book at all. The prose was dull, the style did not engage me at all, and I am still struggling to understand why it is rated by so many people.
Overcoming Misconceptions:The Reality of War for Nonwarriors, 28 May 2004
Peace is a rare circumstance among major nations in the last 150 years. When war pushes peace out, everyone quickly realizes why peace is so important and desirable. When peace returns, the next generation can quickly fail to grasp its significance. In extreme cases, this can lead to romanticism of war. Books like The Red Badge of Courage and All Quiet on the Western Front are important ways to pass along the message of how undesirable war is. The Red Badge of Courage offers another benefit. Stephen Crane takes us into the mindset of mid-19th century America. At that time, the spiritual and the tangible were closely entertwined in peoples' minds. You will find a lot of religious metaphors in this book that a modern writer would be relatively unlikely to use. Another benefit of reading The Red Badge of Courage is that it helps to understand the profound effect that the Civil War has had on the United States. The significance of these events remains fresh for many Americans, while others ignore the events totally. Although it is certainly not an easy book to read, it can be a rewarding one. You will find that you can discuss this book with a high percentage of all the people you will ever meet who like to read. That's a pretty nice benefit from reading a fairly short book. I also recommend that you also think about where in your own life you have developed misconceptions that could harm you.
Brilliant!, 30 Oct 2001
A very credible journey into the mind of a raw young soldier experiencing war for the first time.
Engrossing, and hard to put down, Crane's skillful writing conveys exactly what one would percieve would be the internal battles a frightened youngster would experience in such a situation. Relatively short, but one of the best war novels ever!
Couldn't put it down!, 30 Jun 2006
Style - 3/5
Plot - 4/5
Readability - 4/5
I'm the first to admit that some books will have quite a limited audience and this is probably one of them. However this is a fantasitic story and if you didn't know that Crane wrote it without having any knowledge or experience of battle himself you wouldn't guess it.
It is a good example of trying to atone for the sins of the past by the actions of the present.
I found it very readable and got through it,whilst still being able to enjoy it, in a day.
Overrated, 22 Jan 2005
I do not believe that this book should be regarded as a classic. The novel tells about the adventures of a young soldier named Henry during the American Civil War, whose alacrity for fighting in the army soon fades as he is faced with the real horrors of war. Every other soldier the protagonist fights with, instead of being given a name, is labeled with an adjective such as 'loud soldier' or 'tall soldier'. Whilst I accept the author was trying to show the reader how anonymous the people you fight with are in a war, it also meant that the characters came across as flat and uninspiring, and the reader never gets to know or understand them. Although I have not enjoyed other classic works of literature in the past, I have always been able to see past my opinions and understand why they are regarded so highly. I did not feel that with this book at all. The prose was dull, the style did not engage me at all, and I am still struggling to understand why it is rated by so many people.
The Red Badge of Cowardice, 24 Sep 2003
There are several fascinating aspects to this example of Stephen Crane's work, in this case most apparant is that he was never in the army, fired a gun or had any direct expereience of warfare, yet this book captures the sprawling, human dynamic of early gun battles in the American Civil war with surprising insight. Through the characters we expore the meaning of the war itself, to nations and individuals. Though the main chacter can be slightly annoying with his constant pondering on any issue related to war and his descisions when under fire, it is undoubtedly written by a man who's own character is reflected - Crane's own inexperience of all matters realted to the subject he is writing about is mirrored in the youthful soldier's inexperience and intellectual pontificating. would thoroughly reccommend this to readers of all ages.
Not enjoyable, 20 Feb 2006
If you have to purchase this short story for university/school other study reasons then this edition is the one to get - it includes loads of helpful critical essays. However, if you're thinking of purchasing the book as a good read or entertaining story, don't bother. Whilst it's mildly interesting as an example of the beginning of the Naturalism movement in America, it's not particularly absorbing and despite the story only actually taking up about 60 pages, I found it difficult to read, certainly the very opposite of a page-turner. Nothing really happens in it and the ending remains disappointingly ambiguous. Also, for a story which aimed to be realistic, the motivations of the characters are not very well examined and many of their actions seem, quite frankly, bizarre. Maggie's mother and brother are basically reduced to charicatures of the 'angry, violent, working class', without much thought given to the reasons behind their behaviour. Basically, not worth reading unless you have to.
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Customer Reviews
Incredibly powerful, 10 Oct 2007
What's it's like to be in battle? Where do you get the courage to attack under enemy fire? If you're eager to find out without actually going into battle, John Keegan's book ''The Face of Battle" gives the best factual account that I know of, but for sheer emotional impact nothing outdoes "The Red Badge of Courage". Because it's fiction rather than fact this is the definitive book on the topic.
In a very simple and sparse language Crane succeeds in conveying the battle waged in Henry Fleming's mind (dreaming of heroism but confronted with cruelty and horror), and he does it with tremendous impact. So small a book yet so powerful, this is a gem everyone should read. Gripping stuff , 08 May 2007
Loved it. I must disagree with Mr. Shackley's review! I was prepared to find this booked dated and stilted, compared with modern-day war novels, but found quite the opposite: it evokes the "gut feel" of combat superbly - in fact the book it most reminded me of was Ambrose's "Band Of Brothers" in its evocation of company-level infantry fighting.
Sometimes it's a tiny detail of description that stays with me from a novel; in Tolstoy's "War And Peace", there is a scene where a Cossack cavalryman drifts in and out of sleep on the eve of a battle, listening to the sound of one of his comrades sharpening his sabre on rotating knife grinder. Here, the protagonist's company waits on the edge of a wood for the Confederate line to come through the smoke at them - in the tense silence, he hears the metallic "click" of musket hammers being cocked. That small observation made the hairs stand up on my neck - for a second, I was "there".
Amazingly, when he wrote this book, Crane was a young man who had never experienced war (although he would later do so as a front-line reporter), but his research and imagination were both clearly superb. Incidentally, Crane's life would itself have made a first-class novel (or film!) - he was everything Ernest Hemingway pretended to be, and James Dean-style, "lived fast, died young, and had a good-looking corpse".
Highly recommended.
Overrated, 22 Jan 2005
I do not believe that this book should be regarded as a classic. The novel tells about the adventures of a young soldier named Henry during the American Civil War, whose alacrity for fighting in the army soon fades as he is faced with the real horrors of war. Every other soldier the protagonist fights with, instead of being given a name, is labeled with an adjective such as 'loud soldier' or 'tall soldier'. Whilst I accept the author was trying to show the reader how anonymous the people you fight with are in a war, it also meant that the characters came across as flat and uninspiring, and the reader never gets to know or understand them. Although I have not enjoyed other classic works of literature in the past, I have always been able to see past my opinions and understand why they are regarded so highly. I did not feel that with this book at all. The prose was dull, the style did not engage me at all, and I am still struggling to understand why it is rated by so many people.
Overcoming Misconceptions:The Reality of War for Nonwarriors, 28 May 2004
Peace is a rare circumstance among major nations in the last 150 years. When war pushes peace out, everyone quickly realizes why peace is so important and desirable. When peace returns, the next generation can quickly fail to grasp its significance. In extreme cases, this can lead to romanticism of war. Books like The Red Badge of Courage and All Quiet on the Western Front are important ways to pass along the message of how undesirable war is. The Red Badge of Courage offers another benefit. Stephen Crane takes us into the mindset of mid-19th century America. At that time, the spiritual and the tangible were closely entertwined in peoples' minds. You will find a lot of religious metaphors in this book that a modern writer would be relatively unlikely to use. Another benefit of reading The Red Badge of Courage is that it helps to understand the profound effect that the Civil War has had on the United States. The significance of these events remains fresh for many Americans, while others ignore the events totally. Although it is certainly not an easy book to read, it can be a rewarding one. You will find that you can discuss this book with a high percentage of all the people you will ever meet who like to read. That's a pretty nice benefit from reading a fairly short book. I also recommend that you also think about where in your own life you have developed misconceptions that could harm you.
Brilliant!, 30 Oct 2001
A very credible journey into the mind of a raw young soldier experiencing war for the first time.
Engrossing, and hard to put down, Crane's skillful writing conveys exactly what one would percieve would be the internal battles a frightened youngster would experience in such a situation. Relatively short, but one of the best war novels ever!
Couldn't put it down!, 30 Jun 2006
Style - 3/5
Plot - 4/5
Readability - 4/5
I'm the first to admit that some books will have quite a limited audience and this is probably one of them. However this is a fantasitic story and if you didn't know that Crane wrote it without having any knowledge or experience of battle himself you wouldn't guess it.
It is a good example of trying to atone for the sins of the past by the actions of the present.
I found it very readable and got through it,whilst still being able to enjoy it, in a day.
Overrated, 22 Jan 2005
I do not believe that this book should be regarded as a classic. The novel tells about the adventures of a young soldier named Henry during the American Civil War, whose alacrity for fighting in the army soon fades as he is faced with the real horrors of war. Every other soldier the protagonist fights with, instead of being given a name, is labeled with an adjective such as 'loud soldier' or 'tall soldier'. Whilst I accept the author was trying to show the reader how anonymous the people you fight with are in a war, it also meant that the characters came across as flat and uninspiring, and the reader never gets to know or understand them. Although I have not enjoyed other classic works of literature in the past, I have always been able to see past my opinions and understand why they are regarded so highly. I did not feel that with this book at all. The prose was dull, the style did not engage me at all, and I am still struggling to understand why it is rated by so many people.
The Red Badge of Cowardice, 24 Sep 2003
There are several fascinating aspects to this example of Stephen Crane's work, in this case most apparant is that he was never in the army, fired a gun or had any direct expereience of warfare, yet this book captures the sprawling, human dynamic of early gun battles in the American Civil war with surprising insight. Through the characters we expore the meaning of the war itself, to nations and individuals. Though the main chacter can be slightly annoying with his constant pondering on any issue related to war and his descisions when under fire, it is undoubtedly written by a man who's own character is reflected - Crane's own inexperience of all matters realted to the subject he is writing about is mirrored in the youthful soldier's inexperience and intellectual pontificating. would thoroughly reccommend this to readers of all ages.
Not enjoyable, 20 Feb 2006
If you have to purchase this short story for university/school other study reasons then this edition is the one to get - it includes loads of helpful critical essays. However, if you're thinking of purchasing the book as a good read or entertaining story, don't bother. Whilst it's mildly interesting as an example of the beginning of the Naturalism movement in America, it's not particularly absorbing and despite the story only actually taking up about 60 pages, I found it difficult to read, certainly the very opposite of a page-turner. Nothing really happens in it and the ending remains disappointingly ambiguous. Also, for a story which aimed to be realistic, the motivations of the characters are not very well examined and many of their actions seem, quite frankly, bizarre. Maggie's mother and brother are basically reduced to charicatures of the 'angry, violent, working class', without much thought given to the reasons behind their behaviour. Basically, not worth reading unless you have to.
Incredibly powerful, 10 Oct 2007
What's it's like to be in battle? Where do you get the courage to attack under enemy fire? If you're eager to find out without actually going into battle, John Keegan's book ''The Face of Battle" gives the best factual account that I know of, but for sheer emotional impact nothing outdoes "The Red Badge of Courage". Because it's fiction rather than fact this is the definitive book on the topic.
In a very simple and sparse language Crane succeeds in conveying the battle waged in Henry Fleming's mind (dreaming of heroism but confronted with cruelty and horror), and he does it with tremendous impact. So small a book yet so powerful, this is a gem everyone should read.
Gripping stuff , 08 May 2007
Loved it. I must disagree with Mr. Shackley's review! I was prepared to find this booked dated and stilted, compared with modern-day war novels, but found quite the opposite: it evokes the "gut feel" of combat superbly - in fact the book it most reminded me of was Ambrose's "Band Of Brothers" in its evocation of company-level infantry fighting.
Sometimes it's a tiny detail of description that stays with me from a novel; in Tolstoy's "War And Peace", there is a scene where a Cossack cavalryman drifts in and out of sleep on the eve of a battle, listening to the sound of one of his comrades sharpening his sabre on rotating knife grinder. Here, the protagonist's company waits on the edge of a wood for the Confederate line to come through the smoke at them - in the tense silence, he hears the metallic "click" of musket hammers being cocked. That small observation made the hairs stand up on my neck - for a second, I was "there".
Amazingly, when he wrote this book, Crane was a young man who had never experienced war (although he would later do so as a front-line reporter), but his research and imagination were both clearly superb. Incidentally, Crane's life would itself have made a first-class novel (or film!) - he was everything Ernest Hemingway pretended to be, and James Dean-style, "lived fast, died young, and had a good-looking corpse".
Highly recommended.
Overrated, 22 Jan 2005
I do not believe that this book should be regarded as a classic. The novel tells about the adventures of a young soldier named Henry during the American Civil War, whose alacrity for fighting in the army soon fades as he is faced with the real horrors of war. Every other soldier the protagonist fights with, instead of being given a name, is labeled with an adjective such as 'loud soldier' or 'tall soldier'. Whilst I accept the author was trying to show the reader how anonymous the people you fight with are in a war, it also meant that the characters came across as flat and uninspiring, and the reader never gets to know or understand them. Although I have not enjoyed other classic works of literature in the past, I have always been able to see past my opinions and understand why they are regarded so highly. I did not feel that with this book at all. The prose was dull, the style did not engage me at all, and I am still struggling to understand why it is rated by so many people.
Overcoming Misconceptions:The Reality of War for Nonwarriors, 28 May 2004
Peace is a rare circumstance among major nations in the last 150 years. When war pushes peace out, everyone quickly realizes why peace is so important and desirable. When peace returns, the next generation can quickly fail to grasp its significance. In extreme cases, this can lead to romanticism of war. Books like The Red Badge of Courage and All Quiet on the Western Front are important ways to pass along the message of how undesirable war is. The Red Badge of Courage offers another benefit. Stephen Crane takes us into the mindset of mid-19th century America. At that time, the spiritual and the tangible were closely entertwined in peoples' minds. You will find a lot of religious metaphors in this book that a modern writer would be relatively unlikely to use. Another benefit of reading The Red Badge of Courage is that it helps to understand the profound effect that the Civil War has had on the United States. The significance of these events remains fresh for many Americans, while others ignore the events totally. Although it is certainly not an easy book to read, it can be a rewarding one. You will find that you can discuss this book with a high percentage of all the people you will ever meet who like to read. That's a pretty nice benefit from reading a fairly short book. I also recommend that you also think about where in your own life you have developed misconceptions that could harm you.
Brilliant!, 30 Oct 2001
A very credible journey into the mind of a raw young soldier experiencing war for the first time.
Engrossing, and hard to put down, Crane's skillful writing conveys exactly what one would percieve would be the internal battles a frightened youngster would experience in such a situation. Relatively short, but one of the best war novels ever!
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Customer Reviews
Incredibly powerful, 10 Oct 2007
What's it's like to be in battle? Where do you get the courage to attack under enemy fire? If you're eager to find out without actually going into battle, John Keegan's book ''The Face of Battle" gives the best factual account that I know of, but for sheer emotional impact nothing outdoes "The Red Badge of Courage". Because it's fiction rather than fact this is the definitive book on the topic.
In a very simple and sparse language Crane succeeds in conveying the battle waged in Henry Fleming's mind (dreaming of heroism but confronted with cruelty and horror), and he does it with tremendous impact. So small a book yet so powerful, this is a gem everyone should read. Gripping stuff , 08 May 2007
Loved it. I must disagree with Mr. Shackley's review! I was prepared to find this booked dated and stilted, compared with modern-day war novels, but found quite the opposite: it evokes the "gut feel" of combat superbly - in fact the book it most reminded me of was Ambrose's "Band Of Brothers" in its evocation of company-level infantry fighting.
Sometimes it's a tiny detail of description that stays with me from a novel; in Tolstoy's "War And Peace", there is a scene where a Cossack cavalryman drifts in and out of sleep on the eve of a battle, listening to the sound of one of his comrades sharpening his sabre on rotating knife grinder. Here, the protagonist's company waits on the edge of a wood for the Confederate line to come through the smoke at them - in the tense silence, he hears the metallic "click" of musket hammers being cocked. That small observation made the hairs stand up on my neck - for a second, I was "there".
Amazingly, when he wrote this book, Crane was a young man who had never experienced war (although he would later do so as a front-line reporter), but his research and imagination were both clearly superb. Incidentally, Crane's life would itself have made a first-class novel (or film!) - he was everything Ernest Hemingway pretended to be, and James Dean-style, "lived fast, died young, and had a good-looking corpse".
Highly recommended.
Overrated, 22 Jan 2005
I do not believe that this book should be regarded as a classic. The novel tells about the adventures of a young soldier named Henry during the American Civil War, whose alacrity for fighting in the army soon fades as he is faced with the real horrors of war. Every other soldier the protagonist fights with, instead of being given a name, is labeled with an adjective such as 'loud soldier' or 'tall soldier'. Whilst I accept the author was trying to show the reader how anonymous the people you fight with are in a war, it also meant that the characters came across as flat and uninspiring, and the reader never gets to know or understand them. Although I have not enjoyed other classic works of literature in the past, I have always been able to see past my opinions and understand why they are regarded so highly. I did not feel that with this book at all. The prose was dull, the style did not engage me at all, and I am still struggling to understand why it is rated by so many people.
Overcoming Misconceptions:The Reality of War for Nonwarriors, 28 May 2004
Peace is a rare circumstance among major nations in the last 150 years. When war pushes peace out, everyone quickly realizes why peace is so important and desirable. When peace returns, the next generation can quickly fail to grasp its significance. In extreme cases, this can lead to romanticism of war. Books like The Red Badge of Courage and All Quiet on the Western Front are important ways to pass along the message of how undesirable war is. The Red Badge of Courage offers another benefit. Stephen Crane takes us into the mindset of mid-19th century America. At that time, the spiritual and the tangible were closely entertwined in peoples' minds. You will find a lot of religious metaphors in this book that a modern writer would be relatively unlikely to use. Another benefit of reading The Red Badge of Courage is that it helps to understand the profound effect that the Civil War has had on the United States. The significance of these events remains fresh for many Americans, while others ignore the events totally. Although it is certainly not an easy book to read, it can be a rewarding one. You will find that you can discuss this book with a high percentage of all the people you will ever meet who like to read. That's a pretty nice benefit from reading a fairly short book. I also recommend that you also think about where in your own life you have developed misconceptions that could harm you.
Brilliant!, 30 Oct 2001
A very credible journey into the mind of a raw young soldier experiencing war for the first time.
Engrossing, and hard to put down, Crane's skillful writing conveys exactly what one would percieve would be the internal battles a frightened youngster would experience in such a situation. Relatively short, but one of the best war novels ever!
Couldn't put it down!, 30 Jun 2006
Style - 3/5
Plot - 4/5
Readability - 4/5
I'm the first to admit that some books will have quite a limited audience and this is probably one of them. However this is a fantasitic story and if you didn't know that Crane wrote it without having any knowledge or experience of battle himself you wouldn't guess it.
It is a good example of trying to atone for the sins of the past by the actions of the present.
I found it very readable and got through it,whilst still being able to enjoy it, in a day.
Overrated, 22 Jan 2005
I do not believe that this book should be regarded as a classic. The novel tells about the adventures of a young soldier named Henry during the American Civil War, whose alacrity for fighting in the army soon fades as he is faced with the real horrors of war. Every other soldier the protagonist fights with, instead of being given a name, is labeled with an adjective such as 'loud soldier' or 'tall soldier'. Whilst I accept the author was trying to show the reader how anonymous the people you fight with are in a war, it also meant that the characters came across as flat and uninspiring, and the reader never gets to know or understand them. Although I have not enjoyed other classic works of literature in the past, I have always been able to see past my opinions and understand why they are regarded so highly. I did not feel that with this book at all. The prose was dull, the style did not engage me at all, and I am still struggling to understand why it is rated by so many people.
The Red Badge of Cowardice, 24 Sep 2003
There are several fascinating aspects to this example of Stephen Crane's work, in this case most apparant is that he was never in the army, fired a gun or had any direct expereience of warfare, yet this book captures the sprawling, human dynamic of early gun battles in the American Civil war with surprising insight. Through the characters we expore the meaning of the war itself, to nations and individuals. Though the main chacter can be slightly annoying with his constant pondering on any issue related to war and his descisions when under fire, it is undoubtedly written by a man who's own character is reflected - Crane's own inexperience of all matters realted to the subject he is writing about is mirrored in the youthful soldier's inexperience and intellectual pontificating. would thoroughly reccommend this to readers of all ages.
Not enjoyable, 20 Feb 2006
If you have to purchase this short story for university/school other study reasons then this edition is the one to get - it includes loads of helpful critical essays. However, if you're thinking of purchasing the book as a good read or entertaining story, don't bother. Whilst it's mildly interesting as an example of the beginning of the Naturalism movement in America, it's not particularly absorbing and despite the story only actually taking up about 60 pages, I found it difficult to read, certainly the very opposite of a page-turner. Nothing really happens in it and the ending remains disappointingly ambiguous. Also, for a story which aimed to be realistic, the motivations of the characters are not very well examined and many of their actions seem, quite frankly, bizarre. Maggie's mother and brother are basically reduced to charicatures of the 'angry, violent, working class', without much thought given to the reasons behind their behaviour. Basically, not worth reading unless you have to.
Incredibly powerful, 10 Oct 2007
What's it's like to be in battle? Where do you get the courage to attack under enemy fire? If you're eager to find out without actually going into battle, John Keegan's book ''The Face of Battle" gives the best factual account that I know of, but for sheer emotional impact nothing outdoes "The Red Badge of Courage". Because it's fiction rather than fact this is the definitive book on the topic.
In a very simple and sparse language Crane succeeds in conveying the battle waged in Henry Fleming's mind (dreaming of heroism but confronted with cruelty and horror), and he does it with tremendous impact. So small a book yet so powerful, this is a gem everyone should read.
Gripping stuff , 08 May 2007
Loved it. I must disagree with Mr. Shackley's review! I was prepared to find this booked dated and stilted, compared with modern-day war novels, but found quite the opposite: it evokes the "gut feel" of combat superbly - in fact the book it most reminded me of was Ambrose's "Band Of Brothers" in its evocation of company-level infantry fighting.
Sometimes it's a tiny detail of description that stays with me from a novel; in Tolstoy's "War And Peace", there is a scene where a Cossack cavalryman drifts in and out of sleep on the eve of a battle, listening to the sound of one of his comrades sharpening his sabre on rotating knife grinder. Here, the protagonist's company waits on the edge of a wood for the Confederate line to come through the smoke at them - in the tense silence, he hears the metallic "click" of musket hammers being cocked. That small observation made the hairs stand up on my neck - for a second, I was "there".
Amazingly, when he wrote this book, Crane was a young man who had never experienced war (although he would later do so as a front-line reporter), but his research and imagination were both clearly superb. Incidentally, Crane's life would itself have made a first-class novel (or film!) - he was everything Ernest Hemingway pretended to be, and James Dean-style, "lived fast, died young, and had a good-looking corpse".
Highly recommended.
Overrated, 22 Jan 2005
I do not believe that this book should be regarded as a classic. The novel tells about the adventures of a young soldier named Henry during the American Civil War, whose alacrity for fighting in the army soon fades as he is faced with the real horrors of war. Every other soldier the protagonist fights with, instead of being given a name, is labeled with an adjective such as 'loud soldier' or 'tall soldier'. Whilst I accept the author was trying to show the reader how anonymous the people you fight with are in a war, it also meant that the characters came across as flat and uninspiring, and the reader never gets to know or understand them. Although I have not enjoyed other classic works of literature in the past, I have always been able to see past my opinions and understand why they are regarded so highly. I did not feel that with this book at all. The prose was dull, the style did not engage me at all, and I am still struggling to understand why it is rated by so many people.
Overcoming Misconceptions:The Reality of War for Nonwarriors, 28 May 2004
Peace is a rare circumstance among major nations in the last 150 years. When war pushes peace out, everyone quickly realizes why peace is so important and desirable. When peace returns, the next generation can quickly fail to grasp its significance. In extreme cases, this can lead to romanticism of war. Books like The Red Badge of Courage and All Quiet on the Western Front are important ways to pass along the message of how undesirable war is. The Red Badge of Courage offers another benefit. Stephen Crane takes us into the mindset of mid-19th century America. At that time, the spiritual and the tangible were closely entertwined in peoples' minds. You will find a lot of religious metaphors in this book that a modern writer would be relatively unlikely to use. Another benefit of reading The Red Badge of Courage is that it helps to understand the profound effect that the Civil War has had on the United States. The significance of these events remains fresh for many Americans, while others ignore the events totally. Although it is certainly not an easy book to read, it can be a rewarding one. You will find that you can discuss this book with a high percentage of all the people you will ever meet who like to read. That's a pretty nice benefit from reading a fairly short book. I also recommend that you also think about where in your own life you have developed misconceptions that could harm you.
Brilliant!, 30 Oct 2001
A very credible journey into the mind of a raw young soldier experiencing war for the first time.
Engrossing, and hard to put down, Crane's skillful writing conveys exactly what one would percieve would be the internal battles a frightened youngster would experience in such a situation. Relatively short, but one of the best war novels ever!
Incredibly powerful, 10 Oct 2007
What's it's like to be in battle? Where do you get the courage to attack under enemy fire? If you're eager to find out without actually going into battle, John Keegan's book ''The Face of Battle" gives the best factual account that I know of, but for sheer emotional impact nothing outdoes "The Red Badge of Courage". Because it's fiction rather than fact this is the definitive book on the topic.
In a very simple and sparse language Crane succeeds in conveying the battle waged in Henry Fleming's mind (dreaming of heroism but confronted with cruelty and horror), and he does it with tremendous impact. So small a book yet so powerful, this is a gem everyone should read.
Gripping stuff , 08 May 2007
Loved it. I must disagree with Mr. Shackley's review! I was prepared to find this booked dated and stilted, compared with modern-day war novels, but found quite the opposite: it evokes the "gut feel" of combat superbly - in fact the book it most reminded me of was Ambrose's "Band Of Brothers" in its evocation of company-level infantry fighting.
Sometimes it's a tiny detail of description that stays with me from a novel; in Tolstoy's "War And Peace", there is a scene where a Cossack cavalryman drifts in and out of sleep on the eve of a battle, listening to the sound of one of his comrades sharpening his sabre on rotating knife grinder. Here, the protagonist's company waits on the edge of a wood for the Confederate line to come through the smoke at them - in the tense silence, he hears the metallic "click" of musket hammers being cocked. That small observation made the hairs stand up on my neck - for a second, I was "there".
Amazingly, when he wrote this book, Crane was a young man who had never experienced war (although he would later do so as a front-line reporter), but his research and imagination were both clearly superb. Incidentally, Crane's life would itself have made a first-class novel (or film!) - he was everything Ernest Hemingway pretended to be, and James Dean-style, "lived fast, died young, and had a good-looking corpse".
Highly recommended.
Overrated, 22 Jan 2005
I do not believe that this book should be regarded as a classic. The novel tells about the adventures of a young soldier named Henry during the American Civil War, whose alacrity for fighting in the army soon fades as he is faced with the real horrors of war. Every other soldier the protagonist fights with, instead of being given a name, is labeled with an adjective such as 'loud soldier' or 'tall soldier'. Whilst I accept the author was trying to show the reader how anonymous the people you fight with are in a war, it also meant that the characters came across as flat and uninspiring, and the reader never gets to know or understand them. Although I have not enjoyed other classic works of literature in the past, I have always been able to see past my opinions and understand why they are regarded so highly. I did not feel that with this book at all. The prose was dull, the style did not engage me at all, and I am still struggling to understand why it is rated by so many people.
Overcoming Misconceptions:The Reality of War for Nonwarriors, 28 May 2004
Peace is a rare circumstance among major nations in the last 150 years. When war pushes peace out, everyone quickly realizes why peace is so important and desirable. When peace returns, the next generation can quickly fail to grasp its significance. In extreme cases, this can lead to romanticism of war. Books like The Red Badge of Courage and All Quiet on the Western Front are important ways to pass along the message of how undesirable war is. The Red Badge of Courage offers another benefit. Stephen Crane takes us into the mindset of mid-19th century America. At that time, the spiritual and the tangible were closely entertwined in peoples' minds. You will find a lot of religious metaphors in this book that a modern writer would be relatively unlikely to use. Another benefit of reading The Red Badge of Courage is that it helps to understand the profound effect that the Civil War has had on the United States. The significance of these events remains fresh for many Americans, while others ignore the events totally. Although it is certainly not an easy book to read, it can be a rewarding one. You will find that you can discuss this book with a high percentage of all the people you will ever meet who like to read. That's a pretty nice benefit from reading a fairly short book. I also recommend that you also think about where in your own life you have developed misconceptions that could harm you.
Brilliant!, 30 Oct 2001
A very credible journey into the mind of a raw young soldier experiencing war for the first time.
Engrossing, and hard to put down, Crane's skillful writing conveys exactly what one would percieve would be the internal battles a frightened youngster would experience in such a situation. Relatively short, but one of the best war novels ever!
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Customer Reviews
Incredibly powerful, 10 Oct 2007
What's it's like to be in battle? Where do you get the courage to attack under enemy fire? If you're eager to find out without actually going into battle, John Keegan's book ''The Face of Battle" gives the best factual account that I know of, but for sheer emotional impact nothing outdoes "The Red Badge of Courage". Because it's fiction rather than fact this is the definitive book on the topic.
In a very simple and sparse language Crane succeeds in conveying the battle waged in Henry Fleming's mind (dreaming of heroism but confronted with cruelty and horror), and he does it with tremendous impact. So small a book yet so powerful, this is a gem everyone should read. Gripping stuff , 08 May 2007
Loved it. I must disagree with Mr. Shackley's review! I was prepared to find this booked dated and stilted, compared with modern-day war novels, but found quite the opposite: it evokes the "gut feel" of combat superbly - in fact the book it most reminded me of was Ambrose's "Band Of Brothers" in its evocation of company-level infantry fighting.
Sometimes it's a tiny detail of description that stays with me from a novel; in Tolstoy's "War And Peace", there is a scene where a Cossack cavalryman drifts in and out of sleep on the eve of a battle, listening to the sound of one of his comrades sharpening his sabre on rotating knife grinder. Here, the protagonist's company waits on the edge of a wood for the Confederate line to come through the smoke at them - in the tense silence, he hears the metallic "click" of musket hammers being cocked. That small observation made the hairs stand up on my neck - for a second, I was "there".
Amazingly, when he wrote this book, Crane was a young man who had never experienced war (although he would later do so as a front-line reporter), but his research and imagination were both clearly superb. Incidentally, Crane's life would itself have made a first-class novel (or film!) - he was everything Ernest Hemingway pretended to be, and James Dean-style, "lived fast, died young, and had a good-looking corpse".
Highly recommended.
Overrated, 22 Jan 2005
I do not believe that this book should be regarded as a classic. The novel tells about the adventures of a young soldier named Henry during the American Civil War, whose alacrity for fighting in the army soon fades as he is faced with the real horrors of war. Every other soldier the protagonist fights with, instead of being given a name, is labeled with an adjective such as 'loud soldier' or 'tall soldier'. Whilst I accept the author was trying to show the reader how anonymous the people you fight with are in a war, it also meant that the characters came across as flat and uninspiring, and the reader never gets to know or understand them. Although I have not enjoyed other classic works of literature in the past, I have always been able to see past my opinions and understand why they are regarded so highly. I did not feel that with this book at all. The prose was dull, the style did not engage me at all, and I am still struggling to understand why it is rated by so many people.
Overcoming Misconceptions:The Reality of War for Nonwarriors, 28 May 2004
Peace is a rare circumstance among major nations in the last 150 years. When war pushes peace out, everyone quickly realizes why peace is so important and desirable. When peace returns, the next generation can quickly fail to grasp its significance. In extreme cases, this can lead to romanticism of war. Books like The Red Badge of Courage and All Quiet on the Western Front are important ways to pass along the message of how undesirable war is. The Red Badge of Courage offers another benefit. Stephen Crane takes us into the mindset of mid-19th century America. At that time, the spiritual and the tangible were closely entertwined in peoples' minds. You will find a lot of religious metaphors in this book that a modern writer would be relatively unlikely to use. Another benefit of reading The Red Badge of Courage is that it helps to understand the profound effect that the Civil War has had on the United States. The significance of these events remains fresh for many Americans, while others ignore the events totally. Although it is certainly not an easy book to read, it can be a rewarding one. You will find that you can discuss this book with a high percentage of all the people you will ever meet who like to read. That's a pretty nice benefit from reading a fairly short book. I also recommend that you also think about where in your own life you have developed misconceptions that could harm you.
Brilliant!, 30 Oct 2001
A very credible journey into the mind of a raw young soldier experiencing war for the first time.
Engrossing, and hard to put down, Crane's skillful writing conveys exactly what one would percieve would be the internal battles a frightened youngster would experience in such a situation. Relatively short, but one of the best war novels ever!
Couldn't put it down!, 30 Jun 2006
Style - 3/5
Plot - 4/5
Readability - 4/5
I'm the first to admit that some books will have quite a limited audience and this is probably one of them. However this is a fantasitic story and if you didn't know that Crane wrote it without having any knowledge or experience of battle himself you wouldn't guess it.
It is a good example of trying to atone for the sins of the past by the actions of the present.
I found it very readable and got through it,whilst still being able to enjoy it, in a day.
Overrated, 22 Jan 2005
I do not believe that this book should be regarded as a classic. The novel tells about the adventures of a young soldier named Henry during the American Civil War, whose alacrity for fighting in the army soon fades as he is faced with the real horrors of war. Every other soldier the protagonist fights with, instead of being given a name, is labeled with an adjective such as 'loud soldier' or 'tall soldier'. Whilst I accept the author was trying to show the reader how anonymous the people you fight with are in a war, it also meant that the characters came across as flat and uninspiring, and the reader never gets to know or understand them. Although I have not enjoyed other classic works of literature in the past, I have always been able to see past my opinions and understand why they are regarded so highly. I did not feel that with this book at all. The prose was dull, the style did not engage me at all, and I am still struggling to understand why it is rated by so many people.
The Red Badge of Cowardice, 24 Sep 2003
There are several fascinating aspects to this example of Stephen Crane's work, in this case most apparant is that he was never in the army, fired a gun or had any direct expereience of warfare, yet this book captures the sprawling, human dynamic of early gun battles in the American Civil war with surprising insight. Through the characters we expore the meaning of the war itself, to nations and individuals. Though the main chacter can be slightly annoying with his constant pondering on any issue related to war and his descisions when under fire, it is undoubtedly written by a man who's own character is reflected - Crane's own inexperience of all matters realted to the subject he is writing about is mirrored in the youthful soldier's inexperience and intellectual pontificating. would thoroughly reccommend this to readers of all ages.
Not enjoyable, 20 Feb 2006
If you have to purchase this short story for university/school other study reasons then this edition is the one to get - it includes loads of helpful critical essays. However, if you're thinking of purchasing the book as a good read or entertaining story, don't bother. Whilst it's mildly interesting as an example of the beginning of the Naturalism movement in America, it's not particularly absorbing and despite the story only actually taking up about 60 pages, I found it difficult to read, certainly the very opposite of a page-turner. Nothing really happens in it and the ending remains disappointingly ambiguous. Also, for a story which aimed to be realistic, the motivations of the characters are not very well examined and many of their actions seem, quite frankly, bizarre. Maggie's mother and brother are basically reduced to charicatures of the 'angry, violent, working class', without much thought given to the reasons behind their behaviour. Basically, not worth reading unless you have to.
Incredibly powerful, 10 Oct 2007
What's it's like to be in battle? Where do you get the courage to attack under enemy fire? If you're eager to find out without actually going into battle, John Keegan's book ''The Face of Battle" gives the best factual account that I know of, but for sheer emotional impact nothing outdoes "The Red Badge of Courage". Because it's fiction rather than fact this is the definitive book on the topic.
In a very simple and sparse language Crane succeeds in conveying the battle waged in Henry Fleming's mind (dreaming of heroism but confronted with cruelty and horror), and he does it with tremendous impact. So small a book yet so powerful, this is a gem everyone should read.
Gripping stuff , 08 May 2007
Loved it. I must disagree with Mr. Shackley's review! I was prepared to find this booked dated and stilted, compared with modern-day war novels, but found quite the opposite: it evokes the "gut feel" of combat superbly - in fact the book it most reminded me of was Ambrose's "Band Of Brothers" in its evocation of company-level infantry fighting.
Sometimes it's a tiny detail of description that stays with me from a novel; in Tolstoy's "War And Peace", there is a scene where a Cossack cavalryman drifts in and out of sleep on the eve of a battle, listening to the sound of one of his comrades sharpening his sabre on rotating knife grinder. Here, the protagonist's company waits on the edge of a wood for the Confederate line to come through the smoke at them - in the tense silence, he hears the metallic "click" of musket hammers being cocked. That small observation made the hairs stand up on my neck - for a second, I was "there".
Amazingly, when he wrote this book, Crane was a young man who had never experienced war (although he would later do so as a front-line reporter), but his research and imagination were both clearly superb. Incidentally, Crane's life would itself have made a first-class novel (or film!) - he was everything Ernest Hemingway pretended to be, and James Dean-style, "lived fast, died young, and had a good-looking corpse".
Highly recommended.
Overrated, 22 Jan 2005
I do not believe that this book should be regarded as a classic. The novel tells about the adventures of a young soldier named Henry during the American Civil War, whose alacrity for fighting in the army soon fades as he is faced with the real horrors of war. Every other soldier the protagonist fights with, instead of being given a name, is labeled with an adjective such as 'loud soldier' or 'tall soldier'. Whilst I accept the author was trying to show the reader how anonymous the people you fight with are in a war, it also meant that the characters came across as flat and uninspiring, and the reader never gets to know or understand them. Although I have not enjoyed other classic works of literature in the past, I have always been able to see past my opinions and understand why they are regarded so highly. I did not feel that with this book at all. The prose was dull, the style did not engage me at all, and I am still struggling to understand why it is rated by so many people.
Overcoming Misconceptions:The Reality of War for Nonwarriors, 28 May 2004
Peace is a rare circumstance among major nations in the last 150 years. When war pushes peace out, everyone quickly realizes why peace is so important and desirable. When peace returns, the next generation can quickly fail to grasp its significance. In extreme cases, this can lead to romanticism of war. Books like The Red Badge of Courage and All Quiet on the Western Front are important ways to pass along the message of how undesirable war is. The Red Badge of Courage offers another benefit. Stephen Crane takes us into the mindset of mid-19th century America. At that time, the spiritual and the tangible were closely entertwined in peoples' minds. You will find a lot of religious metaphors in this book that a modern writer would be relatively unlikely to use. Another benefit of reading The Red Badge of Courage is that it helps to understand the profound effect that the Civil War has had on the United States. The significance of these events remains fresh for many Americans, while others ignore the events totally. Although it is certainly not an easy book to read, it can be a rewarding one. You will find that you can discuss this book with a high percentage of all the people you will ever meet who like to read. That's a pretty nice benefit from reading a fairly short book. I also recommend that you also think about where in your own life you have developed misconceptions that could harm you.
Brilliant!, 30 Oct 2001
A very credible journey into the mind of a raw young soldier experiencing war for the first time.
Engrossing, and hard to put down, Crane's skillful writing conveys exactly what one would percieve would be the internal battles a frightened youngster would experience in such a situation. Relatively short, but one of the best war novels ever!
Incredibly powerful, 10 Oct 2007
What's it's like to be in battle? Where do you get the courage to attack under enemy fire? If you're eager to find out without actually going into battle, John Keegan's book ''The Face of Battle" gives the best factual account that I know of, but for sheer emotional impact nothing outdoes "The Red Badge of Courage". Because it's fiction rather than fact this is the definitive book on the topic.
In a very simple and sparse language Crane succeeds in conveying the battle waged in Henry Fleming's mind (dreaming of heroism but confronted with cruelty and horror), and he does it with tremendous impact. So small a book yet so powerful, this is a gem everyone should read.
Gripping stuff , 08 May 2007
Loved it. I must disagree with Mr. Shackley's review! I was prepared to find this booked dated and stilted, compared with modern-day war novels, but found quite the opposite: it evokes the "gut feel" of combat superbly - in fact the book it most reminded me of was Ambrose's "Band Of Brothers" in its evocation of company-level infantry fighting.
Sometimes it's a tiny detail of description that stays with me from a novel; in Tolstoy's "War And Peace", there is a scene where a Cossack cavalryman drifts in and out of sleep on the eve of a battle, listening to the sound of one of his comrades sharpening his sabre on rotating knife grinder. Here, the protagonist's company waits on the edge of a wood for the Confederate line to come through the smoke at them - in the tense silence, he hears the metallic "click" of musket hammers being cocked. That small observation made the hairs stand up on my neck - for a second, I was "there".
Amazingly, when he wrote this book, Crane was a young man who had never experienced war (although he would later do so as a front-line reporter), but his research and imagination were both clearly superb. Incidentally, Crane's life would itself have made a first-class novel (or film!) - he was everything Ernest Hemingway pretended to be, and James Dean-style, "lived fast, died young, and had a good-looking corpse".
Highly recommended.
Overrated, 22 Jan 2005
I do not believe that this book should be regarded as a classic. The novel tells about the adventures of a young soldier named Henry during the American Civil War, whose alacrity for fighting in the army soon fades as he is faced with the real horrors of war. Every other soldier the protagonist fights with, instead of being given a name, is labeled with an adjective such as 'loud soldier' or 'tall soldier'. Whilst I accept the author was trying to show the reader how anonymous the people you fight with are in a war, it also meant that the characters came across as flat and uninspiring, and the reader never gets to know or understand them. Although I have not enjoyed other classic works of literature in the past, I have always been able to see past my opinions and understand why they are regarded so highly. I did not feel that with this book at all. The prose was dull, the style did not engage me at all, and I am still struggling to understand why it is rated by so many people.
Overcoming Misconceptions:The Reality of War for Nonwarriors, 28 May 2004
Peace is a rare circumstance among major nations in the last 150 years. When war pushes peace out, everyone quickly realizes why peace is so important and desirable. When peace returns, the next generation can quickly fail to grasp its significance. In extreme cases, this can lead to romanticism of war. Books like The Red Badge of Courage and All Quiet on the Western Front are important ways to pass along the message of how undesirable war is. The Red Badge of Courage offers another benefit. Stephen Crane takes us into the mindset of mid-19th century America. At that time, the spiritual and the tangible were closely entertwined in peoples' minds. You will find a lot of religious metaphors in this book that a modern writer would be relatively unlikely to use. Another benefit of reading The Red Badge of Courage is that it helps to understand the profound effect that the Civil War has had on the United States. The significance of these events remains fresh for many Americans, while others ignore the events totally. Although it is certainly not an easy book to read, it can be a rewarding one. You will find that you can discuss this book with a high percentage of all the people you will ever meet who like to read. That's a pretty nice benefit from reading a fairly short book. I also recommend that you also think about where in your own life you have developed misconceptions that could harm you.
Brilliant!, 30 Oct 2001
A very credible journey into the mind of a raw young soldier experiencing war for the first time.
Engrossing, and hard to put down, Crane's skillful writing conveys exactly what one would percieve would be the internal battles a frightened youngster would experience in such a situation. Relatively short, but one of the best war novels ever!
Not enjoyable, 20 Feb 2006
If you have to purchase this short story for university/school other study reasons then this edition is the one to get - it includes loads of helpful critical essays. However, if you're thinking of purchasing the book as a good read or entertaining story, don't bother. Whilst it's mildly interesting as an example of the beginning of the Naturalism movement in America, it's not particularly absorbing and despite the story only actually taking up about 60 pages, I found it difficult to read, certainly the very opposite of a page-turner. Nothing really happens in it and the ending remains disappointingly ambiguous. Also, for a story which aimed to be realistic, the motivations of the characters are not very well examined and many of their actions seem, quite frankly, bizarre. Maggie's mother and brother are basically reduced to charicatures of the 'angry, violent, working class', without much thought given to the reasons behind their behaviour. Basically, not worth reading unless you have to.
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