The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane 🔖🔖🔖🔖

First published October 1, 1895

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Henry Fleming has joined the Union army because of his romantic ideas of military life, but soon finds himself in the middle of a battle against a regiment of Confederate soldiers. Terrified, Henry deserts his comrades. Upon returning to his regiment, he struggles with his shame as he tries to redeem himself and prove his courage.

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I read it, finished it, and actually enjoyed it. I might recommend it, but it's not the kind everyone will enjoy. It was quite well written and kept me interested, even during bloody battle scenes, which don't normally catch my imagination. It's amazing Crane had not been in battle prior to writing about it, as it was as if he were describing something not from his imagination, but from memory.