"Active Service" is a novel by American author Stephen Crane, published in 1899. The book is a satirical take on the Spanish-American War, which took place in 1898, and follows the adventures of a group of journalists covering the war. The story is set in Florida, where a group of newspaper reporters and correspondents have gathered to cover the war. The main character is a young journalist named Johnnie Fox, who is eager to make a name for himself as a war correspondent then, Fox and his colleagues travel to Cuba to cover the war, encountering various obstacles and dangers along the way. Will Johnnie Fox get successful? The book is a satire on war journalism and the media's role in shaping public opinion during wartime. The novel also explores themes of masculinity, heroism, and the impact of war on individuals and society. "Active Service" is a thought-provoking and engaging novel that highlights the power of the media to shape public opinion and influence political decisions.
Stephen Crane was born on November 1, 1871, in America. He was known for his short story, novels, and poems. He produced many stories novels and poems that are still recognized by modern critics. Crane was the ninth child of Methodist parents. He started writing at the age of four and by sixteen many of his works got published. He wasn't much interested in studies but had a great interest in fraternity. In 1891, he left Syracuse University and started working as a reporter and writer. He wrote his first novel in 1893 which was a Bowery tale, named Maggie: A Girl of the Streets. He won awards for the novel The Red Badge of Courage which was based on the Civil War that he wrote in 1895, without any war experience. In 1896, Crane endured a highly publicized scandal after appearing as a witness at the trial of a suspected prostitute, an acquaintance named Dora Clark. Later in the same year, he traveled to Cuba as a war correspondent. At the age of 28 Crane died due to tuberculosis in a Black Forest sanatorium in Germany. Crane was an important figure in American literature during the time of his death.