The Red Badge of Courage & "The Veteran" (Modern Library Classics)

Book Description

One of the greatest works of American literature, The Red Badge of Courage gazes fearlessly into the bright hell of war through the eyes of one young soldier, the reluctant Henry Fleming. Written by Stephen Crane at the age of twenty-one, the novel imagines the Civil War's terror and loss with an unblinking vision so modern and revolutionary that, upon publication, critics hailed it as a work of literary genius. Ernest Hemingway declared, "There was no real literature of our Civil War . . . until Stephen Crane wrote The Red Badge of Courage."

This Modern Library Paperback Classics edition includes the short story "The Veteran," Crane's tale of an aged Civil War soldier looking back at his past.

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First published in 1895, America's greatest novel of the Civil War was written before 21-year-old Stephen Crane had "smelled even the powder of a sham battle." But this powerful psychological study of a young soldier's struggle with the horrors, both within and without, that war strikes the reader with its undeniable realism and with its masterful descriptions of the moment-by-moment riot of emotions felt by me under fire. Ernest Hemingway called the novel an American classic, and Crane's genius is as much apparent in his sharp, colorful prose as in his ironic portrayal of an episode of war so intense, so immediate, so real that the terror of battle becomes our own ... in a masterpiece so unique that many believe modern American fiction began with Stephen Crane.

Customer Reviews:

The Red Badge of Courage.......2007-08-25

I am very satisfied with the Book and it's condition. Excellent price. The order was processed quickly and delivered fast. I was kept informed of the Status of the order and shipment. Excellent Seller and smooth transaction.

The War in the Eyes of the Union.......2007-03-28

The Red Badge of courage is a book that actually tells about how people felt about the Civil war.It tells of their family's discomfort of their decision. It is a book that tells a how a young soldeir fights in the war. Many die around this young boy as he goes through the heart of battle. The book has many exiting twists that mostly are not predictible from the start of the page. Will the young soldier die, or will he live? You will only know if you read the exiting story of Henry Flemming in The Red Badge of Courage.

Red Badge of Courage.......2007-01-13

Got the book quickly - and in good shape - Thank you

The Red Badge of Manhood.......2007-01-08

The Red Badge of Courage is a classic American novel about a boy, who is changed into a man during his experiences in the Civil War. The book does a good job of showing this progression from start to end. In the beginning the protagonist, Henry Fleming, is a scared, young, and inexperienced soldier, who fears that he will run from his first battle. However, at the end of the novel, Henry and his friend Wilson lead the regiment to victory over the rebels.

The thing that Crane does very well in his book is to make a very realistic environment. The story is set in the country, which has many forests, rivers, and fields. The soldiers in the story must overcome these obstacles as they fight the enemy. Also, Crane uses rural dialect to add more depth to conversations that the soldiers have amongst themselves. Flashbacks are used in this novel to recall experiences in Henry's past. For example, Henry has a flashback in the beginning chapter of the novel that tells readers why Henry has enlisted in the army.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good war novel, and is in high school, or older. However, even if you don't like war stories, you might still enjoy this book.

Black and Blue Badge .......2006-12-21

Stephen Crane's Red Badge of Courage is considered an epic American novel. I for one, am not really sure why. It is OK, but compared to the best of Hemingway, Roth, Heller, etc. it is like comparing backyard badmitton with your nephew to the NFL.

What is most interesting is how literature has changed in 100+ years. Crane wrote this thing as a magazine serialization, which does not exist anymore to my knowledge. Red Badge is also full of wind-bag characters who never get to the point, and the ending is rather ambivalent. The protagonist does not really have a name, he is a coward, and there is no love interest except his mother, who only appears on the first 10 pages.

Other than that, this thing is OK. Crane was too young to have been in the Civil War, so to his credit he did impeccable and thorough research with veterans, mostly conducted in saloons. Crane personally was a disaster, his life was not much longer than this novel.

But seriously, read the Red Badge if you did not do so in high school. The descriptions of the battles, especially the confusion, chaos, inability to establish objectives, focus, or leadership, is not what is portrayed in John Wayne movies. The protagonist is very unsure about his future and his role in the war; this is a great theme that Crane did not develop fully in this tiny book. But there is great insight into why the men fought, what motivated them, and how they were inspired to take on impossible, dangerous, and mindless tasks.

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A Great Read
Presumably the definitive study
Best Sears Book
One of the best renderings of the battle
This will be a short review.

Chancellorsville
Stephen W. Sears
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0395634172

Amazon.com

Many Civil War buffs have called the battle of Chancellorsville Robert E. Lee's greatest victory; Stephen W. Sears doesn't necessarily agree, and in this painstakingly researched book, he offers ample evidence that Lee had luck on his side in the battle. Lee was a great general all right, and his men did fight savagely. But the notion that Union General Joseph Hooker was inept is cast into doubt by Sears, who describes the action of Chancellorsville as most great battle books do--hour by hour. This book is the finest rendition of the battle yet and an interesting thesis for Civil War discussion. Lee's penchant for aggressiveness and his faith in his troops as unbeatable may have worked at Chancellorsville, but Sears argues that these alone couldn't win the war. Lee learned this lesson too, a month later at Gettysburg.

Book Description

Sears describes the series of controversial events that define this crucial battle, including General Robert E. Lee's radical decision to divide his small army--a violation of basic military rules--sending Stonewall Jackson on his famous march around the Union army flank. Jackson's death--accidentally shot by one of his own soldiers--is one of the many fascinating stories included in this definitive account of the battle of Chancellorsville.

Customer Reviews:

A Great Read.......2007-09-19

This battle, and Sears writing on it lets the Civil War expand beyond the usual books about the more popular battles. I have read all of Sears books and enjoyed this one very much. Chancellorsville was where Jackson hit his highest high, and lowest low.

Presumably the definitive study.......2007-03-04

It is not easy to imagine a more definitive work replacing Sears' book at some future time, unless some surprisingly useful material comes to light or an author articulates some unexpectedly fresh theme.

The debate with this book is not the comprehensive nature, the sources, the accuracy, or the writing itself. Clearly Mr. Sears did extensive research and was most impressive in his incorporation of the reports and memoirs of the participants, many of which had to be quite obscure. Instead, the argument would have to focus on perceived bias or Sears' emphasis and conclusions, and whether those undermine the book. If you think Joseph Hooker was a drunken hack or that Robert E. Lee was the finest general in the history of man, you probably won't enjoy this volume.

People with more expertise than I have can debate the finer points. I particularly liked that Sears pulled no punches in pointing out mistakes in planning, execution, strategy, character and so on. Quite a few people come in for some smacks that seem well deserved (e.g., Howard, Stoneman, and Sedgwick). I liked the praise for Hooker in getting the army organized and ready, and in conceiving a plan that probably should have led to victory. That praise added to the credibility when Sears contrasted the early promise with Hooker's subsequent failures and the end result.

Sears also gives a balanced view of General Lee, complimenting him appropriately for many things, while also emphasizing the tremendous luck that assisted the Rebels greatly. The luck was also sometimes not random luck, as with the weather, but in reality incompetence of his foes and however you want to categorize the faulty communication system of the Union. General Lee comes across as fearless, bold, and creative, but not as some superstar towering over everyone else. His actual role is somewhat de-emphasized, given that he had direct command of the right half of the Rebels when Jackson split for the flanking operation. The whole story of Jackson's move, attack, and wounding easily is one of the highlights.

The Union's communication problems were one of the details that had a fresh perspective for this reader. I hadn't realized they were so significant. Such analysis as this, and there are many other examples, lifts the book above the battle chronology and troop movements.

In fact, someone already familiar with the battle itself might even consider reading only the first third or half of the book and the analysis at the end, including the appendices. The scene setting from Fredericksburg through the ascension of Hooker and his revival of the army, and the preparation to launch battle is highly interesting. My readings of Chancellorsville had always been in other books such as biographies or those with a broader perspective of the whole war or the eastern theater. Sears didn't waste the opportunity to expand on nearly every topic and add his own.

A nice little touch occurred at the end with a brief segment on why "The Red Badge of Courage" almost certainly was based on Chancellorsville.

The maps were all very useful and timely. I wouldn't have minded another 3-4 at key points.

Best Sears Book.......2007-01-27

I have read all of Stephen Sears' books, including his biography on George McClellan. "Chancellorsville," in my opinion, is his best work to date, including his latest book on Gettysburg. Many who read Sears beleive that "Landscape Turned Red" to be his best work. I disagree. Once Sears got away from writing about battles and campaigns involving McClellan he has really become a better writer and historian (although he never claimed to be a historian). Since the publishing of John Bigelow's classic book on the campaign there had not been a definitive study done on Chancellorsville. Ernest Furguson did indeed produce an excellent book on the battle, but for my money Sears is better written and more detailed. This is a battle that screams for more detailed maps, and here Sears falls short. But, unless you want to pay $200 for Bigelow's book and his maps, the current edtion of maps on the battle will have to do. It is one of the most interesting campaigns and battles of the war, but I will not write a synopsis here, that can easily be found else where. Safe to say if you read Stephen Sears excellent account of General Robert E. Lee's greatest victory you will not be disappointed.

One of the best renderings of the battle.......2006-11-26

Stephen Sears' "Chancellorsville" is one of the best written books on this epic Civil War battle.

This volume begins with "the revolt of the generals," when two Union generals (Newton and Cochrane) represented to President Lincoln the dissatisfaction of many senior officers with the leadership of Ambrose Burnside after the disastrous Union defeat at Fredericksburg.

There follows a discussion of "Fighting Joe" Hooker's accession to command of the Army of the Potomac and his efforts to enhance the flagging esprit of that body. Little things such as corps badges and enhanced nutrition made a difference. So, too, his "can do" attitude (although many who had known him from the "Old Army" doubted his fitness for command).

The book also examines Robert E. Lee's challenges. To increase his supplies, he had to detach two of the divisions of General James Longstreet's First Corps to forage on the Peninsula, leaving him somewhat shorthanded.

Under these circumstances, one would have thought that Hooker's effort to defeat Lee would have had good chances of success (with Lee being, as it were, "shorthanded"). Hooker began his famous flanking movement, with "Uncle John" Sedgwick trying to hold the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in place.

There follows a very well orchestrated discussion of Hooker's initial success, his flagging confidence in his own plan, the 11th Corps' poor dispositions, the extraordinarily successful and daring flank attack by Stonewall Jackson on the luckless "Flying Dutchmen," the accidental shooting of Stonewall Jackson by his own men, the role of JEB Stuart in assuming command of Jackson's Second Corps, and the sullen withdrawal of the Army of the Potomac the next day (even though some of its hardest hitting troops, the 5th Corps of Meade and the 1st Corps of Reynolds, were in position to make it hot for the Confederate Army).

The aftereffects of the battle are ably discussed. And the next step, toward the battle of Gettysburg, ensued, with the weakened Union commander, Joe Hooker, leading an army, a number of whose generals had lost faith in him. But Gettysburg is another battle for another day (and Sears' book on that battle is worth reading in its own right).

All in all, one of the best works on Chancellorsville. Sears writes well and this volume is to be commended for those interested in Civil War battles.

This will be a short review........2006-11-21

For a complete study to the Chancellorsville battle, this is a very informative book with a lot of details. I came away with a better understanding of the events that led up to and including the battles of Chancellorsville. Stephens Sears did a brillant job in his research for this book and it is very nicely written. Highly recommend this book as a civil war study.

Puffin Graphics: Red Badge of Courage (Puffin Graphics (Graphic Novels))

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Puffin Graphics: Red Badge of Courage (Puffin Graphics (Graphic Novels))
Stephen Crane
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0142404101

Book Description

Young Henry Fleming had always dreamed of performing heroic deeds in battle. But as a raw recruit in the Civil War, Henry experiences fear and self-doubt. Will war make him a coward, or a hero? Artist Wayne Vansant faithfully illustrates Stephen Crane's action-packed tour de force.

The Red Badge of Courage and Other Stories (Penguin Classics)

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The Red Badge of Courage and Other Stories (Penguin Classics)
Stephen Crane , and Gary Scharnhorst
Manufacturer: Penguin Classics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0143039350

Book Description

Henry Fleming, a raw Union Army recruit in the American Civil War, is anxious to confirm his patriotism and manhood—to earn his “badge of courage.” But his dreams of heroism and invulnerability are soon shattered when he flees the Confederate enemy during his baptism of fire and then witnesses the horrible death of a friend. Plunged unwillingly into the nightmare of war, Fleming survives by sheer luck and instinct. This edition of Stephen Crane's poignant classic is supplemented by five of his acclaimed short stories as well as selected poetry, offering the full range of this great American author's extraordinary talent.

Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville: The Dare Mark Campaign (Great Campaigns of the Civil War)

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Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville: The Dare Mark Campaign (Great Campaigns of the Civil War)
Daniel E. Sutherland
Manufacturer: University of Nebraska Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0803242530

Book Description

All too often, histories of Civil War battles concentrate on the events of the battle, ignoring the larger campaign and undervaluing the battle’s impact on subsequent events. This work reveals and explains the vital connection between two epic battles: Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville.

The staggering Confederate victories at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville are seldom treated as part of a coherent strategy, and they have never been presented as a single campaign. Yet, analyzed as a whole, the two battles go far to explain Lee’s military success. At the same time, the failures and bungling that characterized Federal efforts are more intelligible when seen in the light of the political and military circumstances that thrust unprepared and inadequate Union commanders into predicaments they little understood. The eastern theater in the winter of 1862 and spring of 1863 witnessed sudden shifts in northern command and strategy and increasing political intervention. Lincoln despaired of McClellan and sought a general more willing to fight; whatever the ultimate result of this search, it provided opportunities the canny Lee was willing and able to exploit.

Union Sixth Army Corps in the Chancellorsville Campaign: A Study of the Engagements of Second Fredericksburg, Salem Church And Banks's Ford

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Union Sixth Army Corps in the Chancellorsville Campaign: A Study of the Engagements of Second Fredericksburg, Salem Church And Banks's Ford
Philip W. Parsons
Manufacturer: McFarland & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0786425210

Book Description

The winter of 1862-1863 found the Union's Army of the Potomac in sad shape. Bloody battles, multiple defeats, lack of adequate provisions and high desertion rates had left even the hardiest Union soldiers dispirited. With Major General Joseph Hooker's advent to the army command, he set about revamping the army's conditions, establishing a generous furlough program, implementing a system of corps insignia and setting new sanitary standards. While his administrative efforts were extremely successful, his battlefield manner left something to be desired. Instructed by President Lincoln to make the destruction of General Lee's Army of Northern Virginia the Union's top priority, Hooker mounted the Chancellorsville Campaign. Lee's aggressive battlefield manner coupled with Hooker's failure to initiate an assault led to a sound defeat by Confederate forces and left Hooker--who ultimately had only himself and his lack of initiative to blame--looking for a scapegoat. Among those Hooker attempted to hold responsible was the courageous Sixth Army Corps, the unit responsible for the sole Union victory of the entire campaign.

This military history focuses on the battlefield engagements of the Union's Sixth Army Corps on May 3 and 4, 1863. Compiled from contemporary accounts as well as a variety of postwar histories, it examines the role which the Sixth Army Corps and their commander, Major General John Sedgwick, played in the Chancellorsville Campaign. Particular attention is given to evaluating the impact that the Corps' actions had on Major General Hooker's offensive and refuting the accusations which Hooker made following Federal retreat from the engagement. The battles of Second Fredericksburg, Salem Church and Banks's Ford are consequently examined in detail. Appendices provide information detailing the organization of the Army of Northern Virginia, the Army of the Potomac and the Sixth Army Corps in the spring of 1863.

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Kershaw's Brigade - volume 1 - South Carolina's Regiments in the American Civil War - Manassas, Seven Pines, Sharpsburg (Antietam), Fredricksburg, Chancellorsville, ... Chattanooga, Fort Sanders & Bean Station.
D., Augustus Dickert
Manufacturer: Leonaur Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Kershaw's Brigade - volume 2 - South Carolina's Regiments in the American Civil War - at the Wilderness, Cold Harbour, Petersburg, The Shenandoah Valley & Cedar Creek

ASIN: 1846771048

Book Description

Kershaw's Brigade - Volume one. Carolina's Regiments and the Great Battles. This is the story of South Carolina regiments in the American Civil War. As such it is essentially the story of the war itself since the state's forces were engaged from the very beginning at Fort Sumter to beyond and the eventual surrender of Lee at Appomatox. Published in two volumes by Leonaur this substantial work graphically describes the major battles of the war together with much personal recollection, anecdotes, incident, drama and humour. Kershaw's Brigade will be an invaluable source work for anyone interested in the genealogy of South Carolina. Rolls and Regimental changes, promotions and casualties abound together with biographies of principal characters.

Chancellorsville and Gettysburg (Campaign of Silver War Series)

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Chancellorsville and Gettysburg (Campaign of Silver War Series)
Doubleday
Manufacturer: Broadfoot Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 9999901433

The Civil War: A Narrative Fredericksburg to Chancellorsville

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The Civil War: A Narrative Fredericksburg to Chancellorsville
Shelby Foote
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0307290263

Chancellorsville and Gettysburg (Campaigns of the Civil War (Book Sales))

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From the general's perspective...
Unexciting but accurate account of two great battles.

Chancellorsville and Gettysburg (Campaigns of the Civil War (Book Sales))
Abner Doubleday
Manufacturer: Book Sales
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0785815783

Customer Reviews:

From the general's perspective..........2004-04-26

Being a fan of both battles I felt I owed it to myself to finally read this book. I was skeptical at first, although I was after the opinion and personal insight from Doubleday. I was disappointed after several pages to see that what I was reading was more so a quick history or study of the battles instead of insight from Doubleday himself. Now, at times Doubleday did offer his opinion or toughts about a particular movement or fight, but rarely did talk about his own personal involvement. This is what I was hoping to read and found myself reading a quick rundown of events concerning these two famous battles. Seldom did Doubleday offer what he was thinking or desired to explain his reasons for his actions. Doubleday is vague at times and skips key elements occasionally to make this book appear quite short of information. For anyone looking to understand the battles, I suggest authors like Stephen Sears, James McPherson or Harry Pfanz. I can't recommend this book because Doubleday is very brief and at the same time rarely brings in his insight to make this book interesting.

Unexciting but accurate account of two great battles........1999-09-12

I have only read the Gettysburg portion of this book. Abner Doubleday presents a high-level, general's view of the battle, written 20 years later. Movements of large units are described, with very few vignettes of how savage the fighting was. The wounds of his fellow generals are, however, detailed. This book will be difficult for the novice Civil War reader. If you are unfamiliar with the terms regiment, brigade, division, and corps as they were organized in the Civil War, you will probably not appreciate this book. Doubleday does provide detailed, day-by-day order of battle information for both sides in an appendix. Those unfamiliar with the organization of both sides will have to refer to it frequently. There is a detectable bias against Union general Oliver O. Howard, and some antipathy towards General Meade, the overall Union commander, largely because Doubleday was demoted from a battlefield command position he had assumed on the death of his corps commander. Doubleday also provides much less detail after the first day, because only on the first day were his units involved in heavy fighting. If you're looking for an account of the general course of Gettysburg down to the brigade level, this is the book. If you're looking for excitement, you'll have to go elsewhere. It should be noted that there is slim evidence that Abner Doubleday had anything to do with the invention of baseball. However, he did win a Medal of Honor at Gettysburg.

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