The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

A young soldier, Henry Fleming, enlists in the Union Army during the American Civil War, filled with dreams of heroism and glory. But as the chaos of battle unfolds, fear overtakes him, and he flees, consumed by shame and self-doubt. Haunted by his cowardice, he embarks on a personal journey of redemption, seeking the "red badge of courage"—a wound that would prove his bravery. Stephen Crane’s novel is a raw and realistic portrayal of war, delving into the psychological struggles of a soldier facing the harsh realities of combat. A gripping and introspective tale, it remains one of the greatest war novels ever written.