Ragged Dick

This is a rags-to-riches tale aout an honest, ambitious, and generous young bootblack from lower Manhattan in the late 1800s.

Ragged Dick details the adventures of Richard Hunter, a homeless boy who earns a living shining shoes on the streets of Manhattan in the mid 1800s. Inspired by a customer he meets, Dick resolves to improve his situation, finds a roommate who can act as his tutor, and overcomes adversity with wit and good cheer. First published in book form in 1866, Ragged Dick was Alger's first great publishing success.

Ragged Dick is the story of a young bootblack living and working in the streets of a post-Civil War New York City. It follows his rise from a street kid to the respectable middle class. The original publication came to depict a time of post-war struggle through the eyes of its young victims, vagabond children. Originally written as young-adult moral tales using the classic rags-to-riches theme, Ragged Dick is also Algers' timeless snapshot into an all but forgotten period in American history.

Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899) was the author of over 100 adventure books, many focusing on a poor boy's struggle to overcome poverty and adversity. Alger's books are fast-paced page-turners that have enjoyed immense popularity while advocating generosity, honesty, industry, thrift, temperance, education and brovery. Alger was born near Boston, attended Harvard and moved to New York City in 1866. Alger is one of America's all-time, best-selling fiction authors. Fame and Fortune continues the story of Richard Hunter begun in Ragged Dick with a plot by his enemies....

Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899) was the author of over 100 adventure books, many focusing on a poor boy's struggle to overcome poverty and adversity. Alger's books are fast-paced page-turners that have enjoyed immense popularity while advocating generosity, honesty, industry, thrift, temperance, education and bravery. Mark the Match Boy recounts the adventures of a boy ill suited to life on the streets of New York and his fortunate association with Richard Hunter.

Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899) wrote over 100 ‘rags-to-riches’ novels, often about teenage boys forced by circumstances to earn their own living selling newspapers, blacking boots, carrying luggage, or tending store. Alger’s heroes are honest, temperate, generous, and brave, good in a fight and ready to protect a weaker boy from a bully. Alger stresses work, study, and thrift as ways to escape poverty. Alger’s villains, on the other hand, are usually dishonest, sometimes alcoholic or brutal.

Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899) wrote over 100 ‘rags-to-riches’ novels, often about teenage boys forced by circumstances to earn their own living selling newspapers, blacking boots, carrying luggage, or tending store. Alger’s heroes are honest, temperate, generous, and brave, good in a fight and ready to protect a weaker boy from a bully. Alger stresses work, study, and thrift as ways to escape poverty. Alger’s villains, on the other hand, are usually dishonest, sometimes alcoholic or brutal.

Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899) wrote over 100 ‘rags-to-riches’ novels, often about teenage boys forced by circumstances to earn their own living selling newspapers, blacking boots, carrying luggage, or tending store. Alger’s heroes are honest, temperate, generous, and brave, good in a fight and ready to protect a weaker boy from a bully. Alger stresses work, study, and thrift as ways to escape poverty. Alger’s villains, on the other hand, are usually dishonest, sometimes alcoholic or brutal.