In the spring of 1863, as he faces battle for the first time at Chancellorsville, Virginia, a young Union soldier matures to manhood and finds peace of mind as he comes to grips with his conflicting emotions about war.

In "The Open Boat," Stephen Crane masterfully captures the harrowing experience of survival at sea through an impressionistic lens that transcends conventional narrative forms. The novella recounts the ordeal of four shipwreck survivors in a dinghy, as they confront the indifferent forces of nature and their own fragility. Crane's vivid imagery and terse, evocative prose immerse the reader in the raw emotions of despair and camaraderie, reflecting the existential themes prevalent in early 20th-century literature. The work resonates with Realism and Naturalism, serving as a poignant critique of humanity's place in a universe marked by randomness and chaos. Stephen Crane, renowned for his modernist approach to storytelling, drew inspiration from his experiences as a war correspondent and his profound sensitivity to human suffering. His own encounters with the precariousness of life informed his literary exploration of survival, solidarity, and the human spirit. Crane's innovative narrative techniques and psychological insights set the foundation for future authors, making his voice a pivotal one in American literature. "The Open Boat" is a compelling read for those who appreciate the intricate interplay of nature and human endurance. Crane's introspective examination of isolation and fellowship invites readers into a profound meditation on the human condition, making it an essential text for scholars and casual readers alike.

Stephen Crane's Red Badge of Courage (1895) is a psychological study of a young soldier that deals with the true meaning of courage. Henry Fleming enlists himself as a recruit in the American Civil War over his mother's objection. During the battle, he flees into the forest, thinking that saving his life is the best thing. But when his battalion has won, he feels guilty and returns to his unit. After mastering his fear, Henry goes into the final battle as the flag bearer.

During his tragically short life, Stephen Crane gained fame as a vividly distinctive writer. This collection of stories is replete with lively dialogue, ominous atmospheres, dry humour and graphic incidents.

First Published in 1895, THE RED BADGE OF COURAGE is set during the Civil War. The novel follows the development of an ordinary Union soldier as he experiences the reality of war. It has been called the first modern war novel.

This harrowing tale of a young girl in the slums is a searing portrayal of turn-of-the-century New York, and Stephen Crane's most innovative work. Published in 1893, when the author was just twenty-one, it broke new ground with its vivid characters, its brutal naturalism, and its empathic rendering of the lives of the poor. It remains both powerful, severe, and harshly comic (in Alfred Kazin's words) and a masterpiece of modern American prose. This edition includes Maggie and George's Mother, Crane's other Bowery tales, and the most comprehensive available selection of Crane's New York journalism. All texts in this volume are presented in their definitive versions.

How far would a father go to keep his daughter from marrying the wrong man? Rufus Coleman, the respected editor of the New York Eclipse, plans to marry Marjory Wainwright. Yet to her father, Professor Wainwright, Rufus is still the wastrel that he thought him to be as a student in college. To thwart the marriage the professor drags Marjory off with him and a group of students on a summer tour of Greece. Suddenly war erupts between Turkey and Greece! Will Rufus arrive in time to save the group? Will he redeem himself in the professor's eyes? Will the strife of war and trial of separation overcome the love between Rufus and Marjory?

The Red Badge of Courage is a war novel by American author Stephen Crane. Taking place during the American Civil War, the story is about a young private of the Union Army, Henry Fleming, who flees from the field of battle. Overcome with shame, he longs for a wound, a "red badge of courage," to counteract his cowardice. When his regiment once again faces the enemy, Henry acts as standard-bearer, who carries a flag. Although Crane was born after the war, and had not at the time experienced battle first-hand, the novel is known for its realism. He began writing what would become his second novel in 1894, using various contemporary and written accounts (such as those published previously by Century Magazine) as inspiration. It is believed that he based the fictional battle on that of Chancellorsville; he may also have interviewed veterans of the 124th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, commonly known as the Orange Blossoms. Initially shortened and serialized in newspapers in December 1895, the novel was published in full in October 1895. A longer version of the work, based on Crane's original manuscript, was published in 1983. The novel is known for its distinctive style, which includes realistic battle sequences as well as the repeated use of color imagery, and ironic tone. Separating itself from a traditional war narrative, Crane's story reflects the inner experience of its protagonist (a soldier fleeing from combat) rather than the external world around him. Also notable for its use of what Crane called a "psychological portrayal of fear", the novel's allegorical and symbolic qualities are often debated by critics. Several of the themes that the story explores are maturation, heroism, cowardice, and the indifference of nature. The Red Badge of Courage garnered widespread acclaim, what H. G. Wells called "an orgy of praise", shortly after its publication, making Crane an instant celebrity at the age of twenty-four. The novel and its author did have their initial detractors, however, including author and veteran Ambrose Bierce. Adapted several times for the screen, the novel became a bestseller. It has never been out of print and is now thought to be Crane's most important work and a major American text.

This eBook edition of "The Red Badge of Courage" has been formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. The Red Badge of Courage is a war novel by American author Stephen Crane. Taking place during the American Civil War, the story is about a young private of the Union Army, Henry Fleming, who flees from the field of battle. Overcome with shame, he longs for a wound, a "red badge of courage," to counteract his cowardice. When his regiment once again faces the enemy, Henry acts as standard-bearer, who carries a flag. Although Crane was born after the war, and had not at the time experienced battle first-hand, the novel is known for its distinctive style, which includes realistic battle sequences as well as the repeated use of color imagery, and ironic tone. Separating itself from a traditional war narrative, Crane's story reflects the inner experience of its protagonist (a soldier fleeing from combat) rather than the external world around him.