Hey there! Mariana B., age 14, has constructed a fantastic review for us all. Relish her opinion, and maybe you’ll be persuaded to read the book!

Penned in 1895 by twenty-year-old Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of Courage was one of the first pieces of literature that discussed the American Civil War after it occurred. Although Stephen Crane had not been directly involved, and was in no way associated with the military, he still managed to write one of the most detailed and profound books discussing the Civil War. In The Red Badge of Courage, a young man by the name of Henry enlists in the Union Army against his mother’s wishes. Bedazzled by stories of glory and pride, he enters the army on a conquest for bravery and masculinity. His intense psychological and emotional experiences during some of the Civil War’s most gruesome battles are chronicled in this classic novel.