Written by Stephen Crane at the age of twenty-one, 'The Red Badge of
Courage' is one of the greatest war novels of all time-so groundbreaking
that critics consider it to be the first work of modern American
fiction. It is a realistic and terrifying account of the Civil War and
the fear that a young soldier must face on the battlefield as well as
within himself. It is a classic modern depiction of the psychological
turmoil of war from the perspective of an ordinary soldier. The story
revolves around Henry Fleming, a member of the 304th regiment of the
Union Army, serving during the American Civil War. At the start of the
novel Henry is eager to show his patriotism in battle but when faced
with the savagery of death, he flees the frontline. Ashamed of his
behavior, Henry spends the rest of the life trying to redeem his earlier
cowardice. Instantly popular from its original publication, brought
Crane instant notoriety in the United States and abroad. Although
Stephen Crane did not participate in any Civil War battles, the novel is
known for its realistic portrayal of the battlefield.