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Summary: Highly Developed War Story!
Review: This book is by no means difficult. I'm in eighth grade and I read this book in no time. However, it is difficult for some people to understand because the format in which it is written is very different than the way that books are normally written. I guess this is one of the things that makes it such a great read. If you don't understand it at first my recommendation would be to slow down and read it slower than you normally read books. If you try and read it too fast you may get confused.Anyway, this is a great book! It emphasizes what it really means to fight in a war in a very philosophical sense. This book is proof that it isn't all glory to be out fighting on the battlefield with people dieing all around you. Despite claims that some people make, the main character is highly developed. Complaints that the narraration switches too suddenly, seemingly without reason doesn't have to do with Stephen Crane being a poor writer, it has to do with people not fully understanding the development of the main character, Henry Fleming. Henry Fleming's views of life are shared by the narrarator so even though the book is written in the third person you get a sense that it is also first person as well. The development of Henry's views shift through the book and it is very interesting to see Henry's stereotypical tough male views change to meek aloof views and then back again to philosophical views and Henry thinking he is the "alpha male" out on the battlefield. Henry's philosophical views are also very interesting. Crane's writing style kind of reminds me of Edgar Allen Poe's in the way that he switches views suddenly, but once you get the hang of it you can almost expect it. Lastly, I think that the best part about this book is the way that Stephen Crane is able to convey what it actually means to be out on a battle field, fighting, your comrades dieing by your side, and then really feeling a fear for your life. This is a theme that develops through the entire book and it isn't something you really get unless you think about it and analyze the book... Anyways, I'm rambling now but I would highly recommend the book it you want more than an easy read. After all, having a large vocab and being able to read really fat books doesn't mean that you can comprehen what this book really has to say!
Rating: 
Summary: trash
Review: This book is pretty bad. The first haplf of the book is very hard reading and it very hard to tell what is actually going on. In the second half, there was one good fight scene but that was about it. Henry was a coward. He wanted to be courageous but it is easier said than done. Crane wrote this book in 10 days. Did you know that? He must have been pretty dedicated to writing a classic war story (yeah right). If he actually had spent a little more time on it, than it would have been a lot better than it is. I know it. Thanks for reading!
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Summary: Only good part in this book is at the end
Review: The only good part of this book is at the end when theres fighting. The rest of the book is very boring and its hard not to fall asleep when you're reading this novel. Besides the end, theres hardly any drama and theres no lessons that can really be learned from this book. If all you people want to go out and buy thats fine. However, Im just warning you that its a waste of money and not worth your time.
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Summary: Stephen Crane's The Red Badge of Courage
Review: Why is the Red Badge of Courage so hard to read until about the middle of the book? I think it's because Crane throws us into the world of fear in the first half - fear, cowardice, panic, the confusion and disorganization of war. We're not used to being treated like this, either by books or the real world. I can identify with Crane because the first half of my life was like that. It's OK to be afraid. You can even start reading from the middle and eventually go backwards if it's frustrating. As for life, at some point in life, if you really keep trying, fear gets tiresome and repetitive. You begin to despise yourself as a coward, and you only see images of cowardice around you. The uselessness of following the crowd and some of the fairy tales you learned hit you like a brick. You see too much destruction, whether in hot wars or cold wars, industry or the academic world. One day, when you have nothing left to lose, you try a new strategy called courage. You might feel a lot of anger when doing it, but you have to eventually learn to act out of calmness and yes, even love. You fight back because of the things and people you've lost. You become a Veteran, whether in war or in peace with illness like Crane himself. You learn that there are things more important than your own life. Then you're like Audie Murphy, Mahatma Gandhi, Stephen Crane, Galileo Galilei, Saint Thomas More. And the strangest thing of all is that they're right. There are things more important than your own life. One of them is called Courage.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the worst books I have ever read
Review: Last December, I was assigned to read this book for my Advanced Placement Sophomore English Class. I thought this book would be pretty interesting since it is about the Civil War and I am an American History buff. I've got one thing to say-BOY, I WAS WRONG! This is one of the worst books I've ever read. It took a half-an-hour to read five pages of this book because I had absolutely no idea what the main character was talking about or referring to. And I'm an Advanced English student! You would think I'd have some idea what the main character was talking about. But I didn't! All they do the entire book is move around from place to place. We all know the Civil War was a dramatic war. There are absolutely no dramatic scenes in this book whatsoever! I read all these things that people are saying about the author of this book, Stephen Crane. They are saying "Boy, Stephen Crane really did a good job writing this book. He never fought in a war himself but he sure knew how to put a good plot in the story." Hey people, there was hardly a plot in the story! He doesn't know the first thing about a war. My grandpa read this book earlier in his life. He said it was one of the worst war books he had ever read. He was a World War Two Veteran to boot! He should know something about the effects of a war! So, I had to write this because I didn't want you poor people thinking about buying this book to have to put up with this garbage. I had to warn you! If you really want to buy a great war book, check out Walter Dean Myer's "Fallen Angels." It is a great book about the Vietnam War. That why the people who have gone onto this Amazon.com site rated that Vietnam book an average of 5 out of 5 stars and this garbage book an average of 3 out of 5 stars. Thanks for reading my review!
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Summary: Overcoming Misconceptions:The Reality of War for Nonwarriors
Review: Peace is a rare circumstance among major nations in the last 150 years. When war pushes peace out, everyone quickly realizes why peace is so important and desirable. When peace returns, the next generation can quickly fail to grasp its significance. In extreme cases, this can lead to romanticism of war. Books like The Red Badge of Courage and All Quiet on the Western Front are important ways to pass along the message of how undesirable war is. The Red Badge of Courage offers another benefit. Stephen Crane takes us into the mindset of mid-19th century America. At that time, the spiritual and the tangible were closely entertwined in peoples' minds. You will find a lot of religious metaphors in this book, that a modern writer would be relatively unlikely to use. Another benefit of reading The Red Badge of Courage is that it helps to understand the profound effect that the Civil War has had on the United States. The significance of these events remains fresh for many Americans, while others ignore the events totally. Although it is certainly not an easy book to read, it can be a rewarding one. You will find that you can discuss this book with a high percentage of all the people you will ever meet who like to read. That's a pretty nice benefit from reading a fairly short book. I also recommend that you also think about where in your own life you have developed misconceptions that could harm you.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting but Disconnected
Review: The Red Badge of Courage will keep the reader entertained, and keeps a fueling plot; however, the 3rd person narration of the book is not well written. The author seems to drift without any real purpose. Overall, The Red Badge of Courage is worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty good!
Review: I love to read war books, and see war movies, because I have benn studying america's wars for a year and a half so far. anyway, I think this book is excellent! I like the characters, and I like the details But if you plan to read this book get ready for some pretty boring parts and some boring details. and not to be a spoiler or anything but you have to wait a little while until the first battle begins. It has some good action sequences. I don't like that Henry (the main character) becomes a coward. But It is good for civil war fans. I liked this better than THE KILLER ANGELS because instead of showing strategy it shows the horror of battle, and how cold blooded you have to become to survive. I recomend this to anyone who likes the civil war!
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Summary: A good book, but reads a little slow
Review: The Red Badge of Courage by Steven Crane is a good book if you are willing to struggle through the slow parts. This book is not about the strategy and history of the Civil War from the view of the commanding generals. Instead, it is about the physiological effects of battle had on an ordinary soldier, Henry Flemming. Crane is able to talk describe the battles very well for someone who hadn't yet witnessed a war. The book can give you a feeling of the sheer horror of battle and total boredom of the time in camp. Unfortunately Crane drags out story and often repeats himself. Some parts of the story line are pretty weak. I think this book would interest someone more interested in the mental impacts of the Civil War.
Rating:
Summary: This book is not an appropriate reading level.
Review: I am a 7th grade teacher who has a wide range of readers in my classes (4th grade to 10th grade reading levels). I was hoping I had found a copy of The Red Badge of Courage that could fit this wide range. When the books came in, though, I began reading it, and I was surprised at the difficulty in vocabulary that this text had. I have many 6th-8th grade readers who are having difficulties with it. I am disappointed with this text and this publisher for not accurately reflecting the age level appropriateness.
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