Books with author horatio Aqlger

Horatio Alger, Jr. ( January 13, 1832 – July 18, 1899) was a prolific 19th-century American author, best known for his many juvenile novels about impoverished boys and their rise from humble backgrounds to lives of middle-class security and comfort through hard work, determination, courage, and honesty. His writings were characterized by the "rags-to-riches" narrative, which had a formative effect on America during the Gilded Age. Essentially, all of Alger's juvenile novels share the same theme: a teenage boy works hard to escape poverty. Often though, it is not the hard work itself that rescues the boy from his fate, but rather some extraordinary act of bravery or honesty. The boy might return a large sum of lost money or rescue someone from an overturned carriage. This brings the boy—and his plight—to the attention of a wealthy individual

Jed, Mr. and Mrs. Fogson, The Scranton Poorhouse, An Exciting Contest, Jed Secures an Ally, Mr. Fogson Makes up His Mind, Fogson's Mistake, Mr. Fogson is Astonished, Jed Leaves the Poorhouse, Jed Reaches Duncan, Jed's First Appearance on the Stage, Percy Dixon is Bewildered, Fogson in Pursuit, Jed's Luck, Two Old Acquaintances, Miss Holbrook, Spinster, Jed Meets an Old Acquaintance, Mr. Fogson Receives a Letter, Discharged, Jed's Poor Prospects, Jed Arrives in New York, Jed Makes Two Calls, Jed's Bad Luck, A Startling Discovery, Without a Penny, In Search of Employment, An Intractable Agent, A Strange Commission, A Surprise Party, Jed Entertains an Old Acquaintance, Jed Returns Good for Evil, At Bar Harbor, The Poorhouse Receives Two Visitors, The Detective, Mrs. Avery's Story, "Who Was Jed?" Jane Gilman, The Detective Secures an Ally, Jed Learns Who He Is, Guy Fenwick's Defeat,

In the late 1800's, Horatio Alger's books were eagerly devoured by thousands of boys who, like his heroes, aspired to make something of themselves in life. His values, and the values of his era, were simple ones of basic decency, hard work, and optimism. Our hero in this story, Walter Conrad, embodies these values. Walter is a resolute and strong-willed boy of fifteen with a loving and wealthy father. But when his father dies unexpectedly, having lost his entire fortune, Walter needs every bit of his resolution to overcome the obstacles in his path.

"It is canonical as a cultural text, rather than a purely literary one, as this Norton Critical Edition reflects. An extensive ""Contexts"" section includes maps, photographs, and documents showing how and why Alger used the backdrop of New York City to highlight problems of urban poverty, immigration, and child labor in mid-nineteenth century America. ""Criticism"" is thematically organized around contemporary reviews and responses, the heated public debate about whether Alger should be available in American public libraries, parodies of and related responses to Alger, and four recent critical essays by Mary Wroth Walsh, Glenn Hendler, Michael Moon, and Hildegard Hoeller."

"Nelson the Newsboy" relates the adventures of a wide-awake lad in the great metropolis. The youth is of unknown parentage and is thrown out upon his own resources at a tender age. He becomes at first a newsboy, and from that gradually works up to something better. He is often tempted to do wrong—the temptation becoming particularly hard on account of his extreme poverty—but there is that in his make-up which keeps him in the right path, and in the end he becomes a victor in more ways than one.So much for the seamy side of life in New York, which, alas! is by far the greater side. On the other hand, there are those who are well-to-do and aristocratic who are interested in learning what has become of the boy, and these furnish a view of life in the upper society of the metropolis. How the youthful hero fares in the end is told in the pages which follow.In its original form Mr. Alger intended this story of New York life for a semi-juvenile drama. But it was not used in that shape, and when the gifted author of so many interesting stories for young people had laid aside his pen forever, this manuscript, with others, was placed in the hands of the present writer, to be made over into such a volume as might have met with the noted author's approval. The other books having proved successful, my one wish is that this may follow in their footsteps.Arthur M. Winfield.June 15, 1901.

Ragged Dick, by Alger Jr., Horatio - Akasha Classics, AkashaPublishing.Com - Join Horatio Alger for one of his original 'rags-to-riches' stories which have been captivating readers since they first appeared in print. Ragged Dick is a street urchin in lower Manhattan, shining shoes for a living. He hasn't had many breaks in his young life, but he is determined not to let that stand in his way. His street smarts, decency, and drive serve him through a series of adventures - defeating con artists, standing up to bullies, coming to the aid of others in need - which enable him to better himself. Will he achieve his dream of becoming a gentleman? Fun for children and adults alike, Ragged Dick is an adventure story with heart.