"The Red and the Black" (subtitled "A Chronicle of the 19th Century") is the epic novel from writer Stendahl that tells the story of a young, poor Frenchman growing up in the post-Napoleonic era as he strives to improve his social condition and make something of himself during this tumultuous and politically charged world.

The title refers - among other things - to the struggle between the military (the red) and the clergy (the black) as our protagonist - Julien Sorel - struggles to get ahead, first in the church and then as a protege to a French Marquis embroiled in various political intrigues. In addition to Julien's professional adventures, we also learn of his romantic entanglements and the perils to which they lead.

Long hailed as one of the world's first "psychological novels," Stendhal's "The Red and the Black" has come to be revered as one of the world's great novels. It is presented here in its original and unabridged format (with footnotes), as translated from the French by Horace B. Samuel, M.A.