Though not lengthy in words, "An Episode of War," with its vivid details and laudable comparisons, succeeded in ingeniously putting forth Stephen Crane's prevailing notions about the truth of Civil War life. As an avid reader and fanatic about violence, Crane was obsessed with learning more about soldiers in war. He venerated each soldier individually as being a hero. But as a college dropout, Crane decided that one doesn't have to endure the burdens of university life in order to become successful. To him, one's education level does not determine his personality or destiny. As he described in this 1899 tale, though the field hospital doctor may have obtained much education and numerous degrees, nothing can excuse him from his callous and supercilious attitude towards the soldiers. Also, though people like the doctor may have witnessed battle scenes first hand without exactly being involved and know much about the...