One of the classics of American literature, The Red Badge of Courage stands as a testament not just of a great American storyteller, nor of the time period that it portrays, but also the power of an active imagination and in-depth research. As the story goes, Stephen Crane actually had no personal experience with warfare in the Civil War, and yet he created an account that paints such a vivid portrait of the men and the war that one would never tell the difference. 
 Let Stephen Crane's example serve as an inspiration for all authors who feel constrained by a lack of experience; yet at the same time, let it also serve as a warning. In the modern era, we have no end of resources that can be used for research; thus, we have no excuse for not crafting a story as gripping and realistic as his.