Published in 1893, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets shocked a world unprepared for its grim and starkly realistic exploration of a pretty young girl's fall on New York's Bowery, and its critical depiction of the irresponsibility of men toward women. The five other stories in this collection are tales of quiet tension and raw intensity. From the local color of small-town life to the bustle of the city to war stories imbued with an ironic view of heroism, these stories are brilliantly constructed, extraordinarily lyrical, and psychologically penetrating. As a whole, this masterful collection demonstrates the unique and stunning genius of Stephen Crane and makes up an enduring testimony to one of America's finest writers.   Edited and with an Introduction by Alfred Kazin and an Afterword by Tom Wolfe