The Red Badge of Courage; An Episode of the American Civil War
New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1896. Early printing [First edition was published in October 1895]. Hardcover. [6], 233, [1], [4 pages of advertisements], [2] pages. No dust jacket. Cover has some wear and soiling. Spine worn soiled and frayed at top and bottom. Some page discoloration. Previous owner's stamp inside front and rear covers. Ink notation inside front cover and on fep. Pencil notation (name and date) on second fep. For those who wish to know more, this copy has 4 pages of ads beginning with "The Exploits f Brigadier Gerard," "bank" instead of "bunk" on line 11, p. 4 and a bit blurred (lat)ed on line 6 on page 225. An abbreviated version of Crane's story was first serialized in The Philadelphia Press in December 1894. This version of the story, which was culled to 18,000 words by an editor specifically for the serialization, was reprinted in newspapers across America, establishing Crane's fame. In October 1895, a version, which was 5,000 words shorter than the original manuscript, was printed in book form by D. Appleton & Company. This version of the novel differed greatly from Crane's original manuscript; the deletions were thought by some scholars to be due to demands by an Appleton employee who was afraid of public disapproval of the novel's content. Parts of the original manuscript removed from the 1895 version include all of the twelfth chapter, as well as the endings to chapters seven, ten and fifteen. Appleton's 1895 publication went through ten editions in the first year alone. Appleton republished the novel again in 1917, shortly after the US entered World War I, reissuing it three additional times that same year. The Red Badge of Courage is a war novel by American author Stephen Crane (1871–1900). 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 and naturalism. 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 1894, the novel was published in full in October 1895. 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. Never out of print, it is Crane's most important work and a major American text. Condition: Fair.
Keywords: Civil War; Combat; Courage; Union Army; Battle Fatigue; Soldier; War Stories; Military Fiction, Cowardice, Wounded, Combat Casualty, Henry Fleming
[Book #84211]
Price: $150.00