Badge of Courage: The Life of Stephen Crane

Stephen Crane wrote "The Red Badge of Courage" at twenty-four, portraying a young man who runs from his first confrontation with battle. He was a brilliant and reckless writer, famous for his portraits of women and truth. He testified against a policeman on behalf of a prostitute, alienating the New York police and living in England. He died tragically young, leaving behind a handful of fine short stories, war reporting, novels, and poetry.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 452 pages
Publication date: 08 February 2022
Publisher: Turner Publishing Company

At the age of twenty-four, Stephen Crane achieved worldwide fame, renowned for his brilliance, audacity, and extravagant lifestyle. Despite his youth, he had already written "The Red Badge of Courage," a profound portrayal of a young soldier's fear and retreat from battle. The accuracy of Crane's depiction of a novice soldier's reaction struck a chord with Civil War veterans, who debated which regiment he had served in. H.G. Wells, a prominent writer of his time, hailed Crane as "beyond dispute, the best writer of our generation." In addition to his literary prowess, Crane was also a captivating personality, often described as an Adonis with tawny hair and gray-blue eyes, possessing a mesmerizing allure. He was a passionate advocate for women and truth, willing to sacrifice anything for his ideals. However, his pursuit of both led to a tragic end. Crane's testimony against a policeman on behalf of a prostitute falsely accused of soliciting caused him to fall out of favor with the New York police. As a result, he was forced to live the remainder of his short life as an expatriate in England.

During his coverage of the Spanish American War, Crane's reporting infuriated Roosevelt when he described the Rough Riders' blundering into a trap upon their arrival in Cuba. Tragically, Crane passed away at a young age, leaving behind a remarkable body of work that included short stories such as "The Open Boat" and "The Blue Hotel," as well as war reporting, novels, and poetry. His legacy continues to inspire and captivate readers to this day.

Weight: 558g
Dimension: 153 x 231 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781684427307