The Red Badge of Courage: An Episode of the American Civil War (Puffin Classics)

Rating:
Summary: I hated it.
Review: This Book was not only the worst book ever written, its also the most boring book anyone could've written. Although i have read this book 5+ times, it has never been on my own free will.

Rating:
Summary: I admit I haven't finished this, but I have something to say
Review: I have read several reviews by some kids in 8th grade, 9th grade, etc. they say it's too boring and slow-paced. What I find ironic is that I'm in 7th grade, yet I find it a fascinating (fictional) account of a (fictional) soldier in America's War (That's what I call the Civil War). I believe the students are people who aren't really paying attention to the book but rather just trying to look as if it doesn't have violence in the first chapter or first two pages, it's bad. It's interesting so far, even though I haven't finished. I believe the kids need to actually PAY ATTENTION, look at the language and at the extremely vivid explanations of the war by someone who never enlisted or was in a fight.

Rating:
Summary: BORING
Review: The book is totally boring I got thru the first 4 pages an stopped I have to do a book report for school so can someone do it for me??

Rating:
Summary: masterful use of the English language
Review: To all critics of this novel who rate it as boring and slow-paced, I say: First get away from the Nintendo, then put down your John Grisham made-for-TV novel, and learn to appreciate the wonderful masterpiece created by a true "wordsmith," Stephen Crane. Apart from the plot of this book, the vivid descriptions alone deserve recognition. By the end of the book, anyone with a trace of imagination will have constructed their own interpretation of what Crane depicts in his insightful war novel. I will stray from continuing on with a pretentuous review, but from a purely aesthetic side, this book offers a breath of fresh air from the trendy, fast-paced thrillers made for the common dunce in the late twentieth century.

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Summary: Crane's classic study of the effects of war on a young man.
Review: When I was in high school several years ago, this was one of the books required in one of my English classes. And, upon going through the many reviews below, I find that it is still a required book for today's students. But, several appear to find Crane's novel "boring," "difficult to read," and nothing that they can "relate to." I heard many of the same things in the early 1960s. But, then I found myself in an environment not too dissimilar of the main character of the novel. It suddenly became relevent and real. Crane's depiction of war and the thoughts of young men at war, both willing and unwilling, will always be relevant. This novel is the psychological study of a young soldier and his first encounters with the brutality seen in battle (many critics have regarded this book as the first modern war novel). The unnamed battle in the novel is probably Chancellorsville (1863). The young infantryman, Henry Fielding, faces his first battle wanting to prove himself a hero. However, when the battle is actually thrust upon him, he is overcome by fear and he runs. He joins the wounded but he has not won their "red badge of courage." He sees his friend Jim Conklin killed and he becomes enraged, particularly at the injustice of war. (I remember noting the significance of the initials J. C. for the soldier's friend; but, I later discovered that this observation was not original. The novel is filled with imagery. For example, even the horsemen of the apocalypse make an appearance.) This is a great novel and I hope it remains on reading lists for years to come.

Rating:
Summary: Magnificent!
Review: The Red Badge of Courage stands alone when it comes to war fiction. Stephen Crane's definitive novel of men in conflict endures to this day because the author understood human nature and gave us realistic characters. A promising new novel of men and war, The Triumph and the Glory echoes much of Crane's theme, I read it last week and highly recommend it as well.

Rating:
Summary: This is a good book.
Review: This is the best book i evere read

Rating:
Summary: An American Masterpiece
Review: The Red Badge of Courage is truly an American masterpiece. In many ways the reader can find parallels with Fleming ( Crane's protagonist) and with Oliver Stone's charector Taylor from his movie Platoon. Indeed they both share similar gung-ho views about war, only to discover the chaos and horror of battle. It is one of the best books dealing with the phycology of the infantryman that I have ever read, and flows smoothly with vivid dipictions of combat. An excellent read.

Rating:
Summary: BORINGBORINGBORINGBORINGBORINGBORING
Review: This book is so incredibly boring. I don't know why anyone would want to read a book like this. My teacher made us read it. If you would like to read a good book, I would suggest something by Carol Matas, Gary Paulsun, Phillip Pullman, or J.R.R. Tolkein (which my teacher prounounces INcorrectely, and that just makes me MAD!) Oh, and by the way, if I could have given this book NO stars, I would.

Rating:
Summary: Oddly good
Review: After writing this book in great haste, Crane considered it a failed experiment. Actually, it was an American classic. Why? This was one of the first books ever written that depicted war as it really might be: horrifying, terrifying, and a thankless, strange experience for any boy on the brink of manhood. The descriptions employed are wonderful.