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The Red Badge of Courage (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels) Paperback – Unabridged, July 1, 1990

by Stephen Crane (Author), Stanley Appelbaum (Editor)

3,413 ratings

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An enduring landmark of American fiction! Amid the nightmarish chaos of a Civil War battle, a young soldier discovers courage, humility, and, perhaps, wisdom.

First published in 1895, this small masterpiece set the pattern for the treatment of war in modern fiction. The novel is told through the eyes of Henry Fleming, a young soldier caught up in an unnamed Civil War battle who is motivated not by the unselfish heroism of conventional war stories, but by fear, cowardice, and finally, egotism. However, in his struggle to find reality amid the nightmarish chaos of war, the young soldier also discovers courage, humility, and perhaps, wisdom.

Although Crane had never been in battle before writing The Red Badge of Courage, the book was widely praised by experienced soldiers for its uncanny re-creation of the sights, sounds, and sense of actual combat. Its publication brought Crane immediate international fame and established him as a major American writer. Today, nearly a century later, the book ranks as an enduring landmark of American fiction.

Dover publishes an impressive selection of authors in the Thrift Editions library of classic literature. A top choice for teachers, students, librarians, and recreational readers around the world, Dover’s longstanding mission of exceptional value has consistently offered excellence in classic fiction, nonfiction, plays, and poetry. With over 700 titles available, each book is complete and unabridged, and many are priced as low as $2.50.

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Debuting in 1990, the Thrift Editions library of classic literature is a top choice for teachers, students, librarians, and recreational readers around the world. Dover’s longstanding mission of exceptional value has consistently offered excellence in classic fiction, nonfiction, plays, and poetry.

Dover Thrift Editions are low priced, compact (5"x8"), complete and unabridged.
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The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane Dover Thrift Editions Classic Novels

First published in 1895, this small masterpiece set the pattern for the treatment of war in modern fiction.

Amid the nightmarish chaos of a Civil War battle, a young soldier discovers courage, humility, and, perhaps, wisdom. Widely praised for uncanny re-creation of the sights, sounds, and sense of actual combat. An enduring landmark of American fiction.

The novel is told through the eyes of Henry Fleming, a young soldier caught up in an unnamed Civil War battle who is motivated not by the unselfish heroism of conventional war stories, but by fear, cowardice, and finally, egotism.

“The lieutenant, returning from a tour after a bandage, produced from a hidden receptacle of his mind new and portentous oaths suited to the emergency. Strings of expletives he swung lashlike over the backs of his men, and it was evident that his previous efforts had in nowise impairedhis resources.”

Dovers Thrift Edition Library of classic literature - a long standing mission of exceptional value

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From the Back Cover

First published in 1895, this small masterpiece set the pattern for the treatment of war in modern fiction. The novel is told through the eyes of Henry Fleming, a young soldier caught up in an unnamed Civil War battle who is motivated not by the unselfish heroism of conventional war stories, but by fear, cowardice, and finally, egotism. However, in his struggle to find reality amid the nightmarish chaos of war, the young soldier also discovers courage, humility, and perhaps, wisdom. Although Crane had never been in battle before writing The Red Badge of Courage, the book was widely praised by experienced soldiers for its uncanny re-creation of the sights, sounds, and sense of actual combat. Its publication brought Crane immediate international fame and established him as a major American writer. Today, nearly a century later, the book ranks as an enduring landmark of American fiction.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dover Publications; Dover edition (July 1, 1990)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 112 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0486264653
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0486264653
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 11 years and up
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.28 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #44,780 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #349 in War Fiction (Books)
- #444 in Classic Literature & Fiction
- #1,106 in Literary Fiction (Books)

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Stephen Crane

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Stephen Crane (November 1, 1871 – June 5, 1900) was an American poet, novelist, and short story writer. Prolific throughout his short life, he wrote notable works in the Realist tradition as well as early examples of American Naturalism and Impressionism. He is recognized by modern critics as one of the most innovative writers of his generation.

The ninth surviving child of Protestant Methodist parents, Crane began writing at the age of four and had published several articles by the age of 16. Having little interest in university studies, he left college in 1891 to work as a reporter and writer. Crane's first novel was the 1893 Bowery tale Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, generally considered by critics to be the first work of American literary Naturalism. He won international acclaim in 1895 for his Civil War novel The Red Badge of Courage, which he wrote without having any battle experience.

In 1896, Crane endured a highly publicized scandal after appearing as a witness in the trial of a suspected prostitute, an acquaintance named Dora Clark. Late that year he accepted an offer to travel to Cuba as a war correspondent. As he waited in Jacksonville, Florida, for passage, he met Cora Taylor, with whom he began a lasting relationship. En route to Cuba, Crane's vessel the SS Commodore, sank off the coast of Florida, leaving him and others adrift for 30 hours in a dinghy. Crane described the ordeal in "The Open Boat". During the final years of his life, he covered conflicts in Greece (accompanied by Cora, recognized as the first woman war correspondent) and later lived in England with her. He was befriended by writers such as Joseph Conrad and H. G. Wells. Plagued by financial difficulties and ill health, Crane died of tuberculosis in a Black Forest sanatorium in Germany at the age of 28.

At the time of his death, Crane was considered an important figure in American literature. After he was nearly forgotten for two decades, critics revived interest in his life and work. Crane's writing is characterized by vivid intensity, distinctive dialects, and irony. Common themes involve fear, spiritual crises and social isolation. Although recognized primarily for The Red Badge of Courage, which has become an American classic, Crane is also known for his poetry, journalism, and short stories such as "The Open Boat", "The Blue Hotel", "The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky", and The Monster. His writing made a deep impression on 20th-century writers, most prominent among them Ernest Hemingway, and is thought to have inspired the Modernists and the Imagists.

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by unknown author [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.

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Customers find this book to be a great classic novel with eloquent language and a vivid coming-of-age story, particularly praising it as one of the most exciting Civil War tales of all time. Moreover, they appreciate its deep themes, emotional maturation, and value for money, with one customer noting it's an inexpensive printing of a classic book. Additionally, the book receives positive feedback for its readability and entertainment value. However, the pacing receives mixed reviews, with some finding it quick while others note it could be uneven at times.

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Readability Writing quality Story quality Themes Emotional depth Value for money Enjoyment Pacing

147 customers mention "Readability"133 positive14 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a great classic novel that is particularly suitable for more mature readers.

"...It is short and easy enough for any literate child to read and adults will also enjoy it...." Read more

"...All in all, I thought this was a very good read and would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to leisurely enjoy a fun, inspiring novel." Read more

"...This has been an amazing experience for the boys They loved the book and all that came with it." Read more

"...According to other reviews, this book gets it right (at least from the perspective of over 160 years ago)...." Read more

89 customers mention "Writing quality"69 positive20 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, noting its eloquent and detailed language, with one customer highlighting how well it describes characters' thoughts.

"...Red Badge of Courage" earns its place as a classic, painting a gripping portrait of war's impact on an individual level...." Read more

"...one common theme they are alled filled with exciting tales and vivid descriptions, exemplified perfectly by the first by the first few lines: The..." Read more

"...with a perilous task. Stephen Crane did a wonderful job of displaying the bleakness of war and the two fights that inevitably come to an..." Read more

"...This was a very difficult book for me to access. It seemed to drift without any direction at times...." Read more

76 customers mention "Story quality"65 positive11 negative

Customers praise the book's compelling narrative, describing it as one of the most exciting Civil War tales of all time and a vivid coming-of-age story.

"...Henry's journey is an engaging coming-of-age story, showcasing a turbulent inner struggle between the ideals of heroism and the harsh realities of..." Read more

"...Stephen Crane wrote one of the most exciting Civil War tales of all time; the book is the kind that is so interesting that one does not wish to..." Read more

"...He eventually survived the conflict. This is good story if you like militaria stories. WLM SC" Read more

"...She obviously knew I could do better. It was a powerful, thought provoking and well written book from start to finish...." Read more

27 customers mention "Themes"27 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the themes of the book, finding them powerful and deep, with one customer noting its extensive use of metaphors.

"...It challenges the reader to consider the meaning of bravery and the complicated tapestry of human emotions in extreme circumstances...." Read more

"...recommend this book to anyone who wants to leisurely enjoy a fun, inspiring novel." Read more

"...Not a book that necessarily glorifies war, but a powerfully descriptive allegory of a man's inner urges, what means the most to him and what really..." Read more

"...The second device is the way Crane uses common themes. So, the word red is used an adjective of the novel, just as it is in the title...." Read more

20 customers mention "Emotional depth"20 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the book, noting its fascinating exploration of humans in stress and the character's emotional maturation.

"...Stephen Crane's vivid descriptions of the battlefield to be both intense and thought-provoking, effectively transporting the reader to the heart of..." Read more

"...He stays true to his commitment and in his next several battles he fights very well, even recieving a commendation for his bravery; however, he can..." Read more

"...The book is quite short, but Crane does a great job developing Henry's character...." Read more

"I really appreciated the growth the character goes through over the course of the battle. It is a very sobering transition from boy to man." Read more

11 customers mention "Value for money"9 positive2 negative

Customers find the book offers good value for money, with one mentioning it's an inexpensive printing of a classic book.

"Good price but VERY tiny print" Read more

"$4 for a classic that students can afford, write in, carry in their back jeans pocket...." Read more

"It was exactly what I needed for my students. The price and quality were right for a classroom edition." Read more

"It is a beautiful edition for a very reasonable price. Very pleased" Read more

7 customers mention "Enjoyment"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining, with one mentioning it provides an amazing experience for the boys.

"...is short and easy enough for any literate child to read and adults will also enjoy it...." Read more

"...and would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to leisurely enjoy a fun, inspiring novel." Read more

"...The Red Badge of Courage was a quick and entertaining read: if, like me, you did not have the chance to read it when you were younger I would..." Read more

"...This has been an amazing experience for the boys They loved the book and all that came with it." Read more

8 customers mention "Pacing"5 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it quick and easy to read, while another customer notes that the pacing could be uneven at times.

"...The Red Badge of Courage was a quick and entertaining read: if, like me, you did not have the chance to read it when you were younger I would..." Read more

"...its realism and character development, I found that the pacing could be uneven at times...." Read more

"...Not this book. It was crisp and taut and quick moving. The battle scenes really, really got to me...." Read more

"...'s ability to imagine violence and pain, with great dialogue and immediacy, as well as a sense of movement and development of character...." Read more

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George S.
I read this book as a boy, saw the Audie Murphy movie, re-read at age 72! Still a classic! N
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2025
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This book should be in every Civil War aficionados library!

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Michelle Hensley
A Vivid and Engrossing Tale of Battle and Self-Discovery
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2024
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"The Red Badge of Courage" is a novel that explores the complexities of war through the eyes of its young protagonist, Henry Fleming. I found the author Stephen Crane's vivid descriptions of the battlefield to be both intense and thought-provoking, effectively transporting the reader to the heart of Civil War conflict. Crane's prose is at times sparse but powerful, capturing the chaos and the psychological landscape of a soldier grappling with fear and valor.

Henry's journey is an engaging coming-of-age story, showcasing a turbulent inner struggle between the ideals of heroism and the harsh realities of war. His quest for personal courage unfolds with a raw honesty that is both captivating and relatable. The novel's exploration of themes such as courage, manhood, and isolation was done with nuanced complexity, avoiding a clichéd or overly romanticized view of war.

However, while "The Red Badge of Courage" could be praised for its realism and character development, I found that the pacing could be uneven at times. This occasionally disrupted the flow of the narrative and made some sections feel slightly disjointed. Furthermore, some readers may find the historical and military details lacking, as Crane's focus was more on the psychological aspect of warfare than on providing a comprehensive picture of the era's military strategies.

Crane's characters, particularly Henry, are well-crafted, but secondary characters sometimes blend into the background, making it challenging to become fully invested in their individual fates. The dialogue, authentic to the period, contributes to the immersion but may require some acclimatization for the modern reader.

Overall, "The Red Badge of Courage" earns its place as a classic, painting a gripping portrait of war's impact on an individual level. It challenges the reader to consider the meaning of bravery and the complicated tapestry of human emotions in extreme circumstances. A solid four-star read for its ability to provoke thought and present a timeless introspection on war and self.

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THe Neuro
A Classic Civil War Story
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2011
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The Red Badge of Courage, by Stephen Crane, is the story of a Henry Fleming, a teenager from Illinois who joins the Illinois 304th regiment after hearing countless tales of heroism and bravery told by Civil War veterans who passed through his town. Wishing not to be left out, he enlists to fight as well, but the 304th spends a long winter and a part of the spring camped in the hills doing nothing. When they finally prepare for battle, Henry has serious doubts about the level of his bravery and whether or not he will stay and see through the fighting. In his first battle, his doubts are substantiated, and he deserts the battle. Determined to never show such fear again, he decides to never desert again and to die - to display the 'red badge of courage' - if need be. He stays true to his commitment and in his next several battles he fights very well, even recieving a commendation for his bravery; however, he cannot forget the shame from his first battle until much later.
Stephen Crane wrote one of the most exciting Civil War tales of all time; the book is the kind that is so interesting that one does not wish to put it down. It is short and easy enough for any literate child to read and adults will also enjoy it. The books twenty-four chapters vary significantly in length but have one common theme they are alled filled with exciting tales and vivid descriptions, exemplified perfectly by the first by the first few lines: The cold passed reluctantly from the earth, and the retiring fogs revealed an army stretched out on the hills, resting. As the landscape changed from brown to green, the army awakened, and began to tremble with eagerness at the noise of rumors. It cast its eyes upon the roads, which were growing from long troughs of liquid mud to proper thoroughfares. A river, amber-tinted in the shadow of its banks, purled at the army's feet; and at night, when the stream had become of a sorrowful blackness, one could see across it the red, eyelike gleam of hostile camp-fires set in the low brows of distant hills.

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Red Badge of Courage
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2024
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I have wanted to read this novel for quite some time. It is in every list of the books that one must read before death. It is set in Civil War times with the Blue Army against the Gray Army often identified as the Rebels.

The story follows a young youth in the Blue Army through many battles with the Rebels. He was once separated from his Regiment and wounded, but stumbled upon another Blue Regiment and was taken in and cared for. He eventually survived the conflict.

This is good story if you like militaria stories.

WLM
SC

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The Red Badge of Courage
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2015
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The Red Badge of Courage, by Stephen Crane, is an alluring novel that takes place during the American civil war. This book is written in the third person and focuses on the war efforts of a boy named Henry Fleming. The plot of the story is centered on Fleming’s discrepancies during battle with his regiment. In the beginning of the book, Fleming is a deserter who flees his regiment when under attack. In order to redeem himself of his cowardice acts, he must prove himself a man by performing an act of courage. Fleming receives this chance in the final chapters of the book when his regiment is faced with a perilous task.
Stephen Crane did a wonderful job of displaying the bleakness of war and the two fights that inevitably come to an individual in combat. The first fight being the physical struggle to overcome an enemy during warfare, and the second being the internal fight to keep your peace of mind during warfare. Reading this book will cause you to draw parallelisms with the way we encounter problems in our everyday life and the way Fleming handles his problems in the story. All in all, I thought this was a very good read and would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to leisurely enjoy a fun, inspiring novel.

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Markus Twainus
A good read!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 24, 2020
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An interesting story, a good informative read, felt very real.
I wondered what this book would be like, I feel slightly weighed down by it, acts of bravery cowardice and stupidity, men used to soak up bullets, very sad.

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Missy A.
Bon livre mais je n'ai pas du tout aimé
Reviewed in France on September 14, 2016
Verified Purchase
Acheté pour la Fac d'anglais, je l'ai trouvé d'un ennui extrême. A peine utilisé en cours ce livre à été un vrai achat inutile.

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Angelo A.
Un classico della letteratura
Reviewed in Italy on June 22, 2018
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Un classico della letteratura che grazie ad AmazonClassics è possibile ottenere in formato digitale senza alcun costo. Complimenti ad Amazon per questa collana.

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José Macaya
El acontecer de un soldado en la Guerra Civil americana
Reviewed in Spain on January 15, 2022
Verified Purchase
Libro diferente y ya clásico. Refleja el acontecer de un soldado en la Guerra Civil americana (aunque no se menciona ésta). No se menciona contexto. Se habla de "el enemigo" sin especificar. De "el general" o "el teniente" o "el soldado alto" sin nombres. No se menciona la evolución de la guerra. Solo el día a día del soldado y su regimiento, que desconocen el contexto amplio. La expectativa sobre cuando entrarán en combate, los rumores, los temores, los infantiles sueños de gloria. No se aprenderá en este libro nada sobre la Guerra Civil, sino que se centra en las incertidumbres del soldado, que por otro lado no puede ser más ajeno al que sería su equivalente actual. Refleja por lo tanto el sentir de los jóvenes de entonces en esa situación, que hoy en día vemos como extraño, por haber cambiado los valores de la sociedad

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chandan kumar mahapatra
Good
Reviewed in India on October 10, 2019
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Good

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Are there any collections of stories or poetry in the Dover Thrift Editions?

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American History/History

Biography and Autobiography

Black History

Classic Novels

Crime, Mystery and Thrillers

Gothic and Horror

Literary Collections

Philosophy

Plays

Political Science

Poetry

Psychology

Religion

SciFi and Fantasy

Short Stories

Speeches and Quotations

From the Publisher

First published in 1895, this small masterpiece set the pattern for the treatment of war in modern fiction.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

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About the author

Stephen Crane

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Great Book. Spent some time at over 4 Civil ...

Top reviews from the United States

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5.0 out of 5 stars I read this book as a boy, saw the Audie Murphy movie, re-read at age 72! Still a classic! N

4.0 out of 5 stars A Vivid and Engrossing Tale of Battle and Self-Discovery

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Civil War Story

5.0 out of 5 stars Red Badge of Courage

3.0 out of 5 stars The Red Badge of Courage

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars A good read!

2.0 out of 5 stars Bon livre mais je n'ai pas du tout aimé

5.0 out of 5 stars Un classico della letteratura

4.0 out of 5 stars El acontecer de un soldado en la Guerra Civil americana

5.0 out of 5 stars Good

I read this book as a boy, saw the Audie Murphy movie, re-read at age 72! Still a classic! N

A Vivid and Engrossing Tale of Battle and Self-Discovery

A Classic Civil War Story

Red Badge of Courage

The Red Badge of Courage

A good read!

Bon livre mais je n'ai pas du tout aimé

Un classico della letteratura

El acontecer de un soldado en la Guerra Civil americana

Good