If you’ve ever used the phrase “rags to riches,” you owe that to Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899), who popularized the idea through his fictional writings that also served as a theme for the way America viewed itself as a country. Alger’s works about poor boys rising to better living conditions through hard work, determination, courage, honesty, and morals was popular with both adults and younger readers. Alger’s writings happened to correspond with America’s Gilded Age, a time of increasing prosperity in a nation rebuilding from the Civil War. His lifelong theme of rags to riches continued to gain popularity but has gradually lessened since the 1920s. Still, readers today often come across Ragged Dick and stories like it in school.

Product Description: This collection of literature attempts to compile many of the classic works that have stood the test of time and offer them at a reduced, affordable price, in an attractive volume so that everyone can enjoy them.

Product Description: "[...] The young sailor colored, and looked a little uneasy. "I have only ten dollars," he answered. "That is, we have seventy dollars between us, Jack," said Harry promptly. "That is too little," said the professor, shaking his head...read more

Product Description: A group of boys was assembled in an open field to the west of the public schoolhouse in the town of Crawford. Most of them held hats in their hands, while two, stationed sixty feet distant from each other, were "having catch." Tom Pinkerton, son of Deacon Pinkerton, had just returned from Brooklyn, and while there had witnessed a match game between two professional clubs...read more

Product Description: Horatio Alger Jr. was a prolific American author in the 19th century. Alger's books were noted for the type of "rags to riches" narrative that were common with the Gilded Age in America. Ragged Dick is considered to be Alger's greatest work...read more

"I am going fishing, Randy. Do you want to go along?" "With pleasure, Jack," answered Randy Thompson, a bright, manly youth of fourteen. "Are you going on foot or in your boat?" "I think we might as well take the boat," returned Jack Bartlett, a boy who was but a few months older than Randy. "Have you your lines handy?" "No, but I can get them in less than ten minutes." "All right. Meet me at the dock in quarter of an hour. I was thinking of going up the river to Landy's Hole. That's a good spot, isn't it?" "I think so. Last season I was up there and caught fourteen good-sized fish." "They tell me you are one of the best fishermen in Riverport, Randy," went on Jack Bartlett, admiringly. "What is the secret of your success?" "I don't know unless it is patience," answered Randy, with a broad smile. "To catch fish you must be patient. Now when I caught my mess of fourteen two other boys were up to the Hole. But just because the fish did not bite right away they moved away, further up the river. But by doing that they got only about half as many as myself."

"I am going fishing, Randy. Do you want to go along?" "With pleasure, Jack," answered Randy Thompson, a bright, manly youth of fourteen. "Are you going on foot or in your boat?" "I think we might as well take the boat," returned Jack Bartlett, a boy who was but a few months older than Randy. "Have you your lines handy?" "No, but I can get them in less than ten minutes." "All right. Meet me at the dock in quarter of an hour. I was thinking of going up the river to Landy's Hole. That's a good spot, isn't it?" "I think so. Last season I was up there and caught fourteen good-sized fish." "They tell me you are one of the best fishermen in Riverport, Randy," went on Jack Bartlett, admiringly. "What is the secret of your success?" "I don't know unless it is patience," answered Randy, with a broad smile. "To catch fish you must be patient. Now when I caught my mess of fourteen two other boys were up to the Hole. But just because the fish did not bite right away they moved away, further up the river. But by doing that they got only about half as many as myself."

Product Description: "[...] RISEN FROM THE RANKS; OR, HARRY WALTON'S SUCCESS. CHAPTER I. HARRY WALTON. "I am sorry to part with you, Harry," said Professor Henderson. "You have been a very satisfactory and efficient assistant, and I shall miss you...read more

Product Description: "[...] RUFUS AND ROSE; OR, THE FORTUNES OF ROUGH AND READY. CHAPTER I. [...]".

Luke Walton

"Luke Walton" from Horatio Alger Jr.. Prolific 19th-century American author (1832-1899).

Product Description: This collection of literature attempts to compile many of the classic works that have stood the test of time and offer them at a reduced, affordable price, in an attractive volume so that everyone can enjoy them.

"I wish I could pay off the mortgage on my farm," said Mark Nelson soberly, taking his seat on the left of the fireplace, in the room where his wife and family were assembled. "Have you paid the interest, Mark?" asked his wife. "Yes; I paid it this afternoon, and it has stripped me of money completely. I have less than five dollars in my pocketbook toward buying you and the children clothes for the winter." "Never mind me," said his wife cheerfully. "I am pretty well provided for." "Why, mother," said Sarah, the oldest daughter, a girl of fourteen; "you haven't had a new dress for a year." "I have enough to last me till spring, at any rate," said the mother. "You never buy anything for yourself." "I don't go in rags, do I?" asked Mrs. Nelson, with a smile. Mrs. Nelson had a happy disposition, which led her to accept uncomplainingly, and even cheerfully, the sacrifices which, as the wife of a farmer in poor circumstances, she was compelled to make.

"I wish I could pay off the mortgage on my farm," said Mark Nelson soberly, taking his seat on the left of the fireplace, in the room where his wife and family were assembled. "Have you paid the interest, Mark?" asked his wife. "Yes; I paid it this afternoon, and it has stripped me of money completely. I have less than five dollars in my pocketbook toward buying you and the children clothes for the winter." "Never mind me," said his wife cheerfully. "I am pretty well provided for." "Why, mother," said Sarah, the oldest daughter, a girl of fourteen; "you haven't had a new dress for a year." "I have enough to last me till spring, at any rate," said the mother. "You never buy anything for yourself." "I don't go in rags, do I?" asked Mrs. Nelson, with a smile. Mrs. Nelson had a happy disposition, which led her to accept uncomplainingly, and even cheerfully, the sacrifices which, as the wife of a farmer in poor circumstances, she was compelled to make.

Product Description: This collection of literature attempts to compile many of the classic works that have stood the test of time and offer them at a reduced, affordable price, in an attractive volume so that everyone can enjoy them.

Product Description: If you’ve ever used the phrase “rags to riches,” you owe that to Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899), who popularized the idea through his fictional writings that also served as a theme for the way America viewed itself as a country...read more

Product Description: If you’ve ever used the phrase “rags to riches,” you owe that to Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899), who popularized the idea through his fictional writings that also served as a theme for the way America viewed itself as a country...read more

Product Description: If you’ve ever used the phrase “rags to riches,” you owe that to Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899), who popularized the idea through his fictional writings that also served as a theme for the way America viewed itself as a country...read more

Product Description: If you’ve ever used the phrase “rags to riches,” you owe that to Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899), who popularized the idea through his fictional writings that also served as a theme for the way America viewed itself as a country...read more

Product Description: Paul Hoffman is a fourteen-year-old young man who sells "prize packages." An elementary gambling game, he sells envelopes that have either candy or money in them; although the odds are poor, the price to play is cheap, and he performs well...read more

Product Description: 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...read more

Do and Dare is the inspiring story of one boy's triumph over poverty and treachery. When Herbert Carr's widowed mother is unfairly forced out of her job as postmistress, Herbert is determined to help support the family. He is hired (at a pittance) to help the new postmaster, but is soon displaced in favor of Eben, the postmaster's irresponsible son. Help arrives in the form of George Melville, a wealthy young man who needs a companion to help improve his health. The pay is handsome, and Herbert readily accepts. Eben, however, is jealous of Herbert's good luck and tries to move in on the opportunity. Will Herbert be able to withstand Eben's dishonesty and carve out a career for himself? Horatio Alger Jr. is famous for his rags-to-riches tales which captured the imagination of 19th-century America.

Product Description: Horatio Alger Jr. was a prolific American author in the 19th century. Alger's books were noted for the type of "rags to riches" narrative that were common with the Gilded Age in America. Facing the World is a story about a young boy named Harry Vane who works for a magician and goes on a dangerous sea voyage...read more

Product Description: If you’ve ever used the phrase “rags to riches,” you owe that to Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899), who popularized the idea through his fictional writings that also served as a theme for the way America viewed itself as a country...read more