In this story we find Andy Gordon, the son of a poor widow, as the hero. Being eager for an education, he is obliged to work after school hours to get it. He is a good student and is well liked and highly respected. Herbert Ross, one of Andy's classmates, is the son of a wealthy lawyer. He is a conceited, diagreeable boy, not well liked and not a good student. He treats Andy most shamefully, but Andy proves to be a friend in need. The many thrilling experiences, which Andy has. bring forth his fine characteristics. His ideas of justice are firmly fixed in his mind and he resolves to do all in...

An exciting story about the power of hard work, honesty, and above all, kindness. Sixteen-year-old Philip Brent leaves his small hometown to seek his fortune in 1880s New York after his spiteful stepmother reveals that instead of being his late father's beloved only son, he is of unknown parentage and must fend for himself. Unwilling to endure a life of dependence on those who despise him and have cheated him Philip strikes out on his own. Alger wrote to instill the principle of Strive and Succeed, Personal Growth and Achievement-to attain the American dream. He inspired countless millions of...

An inspirational story about how individual traits and efforts help one to rise and progress. It is the story that eloquently compares and contrasts between two characters: their attitudes, efforts and consequently their success and failure. This book remains an inspiration for young people who are ready to put in efforts and move ahead in life. Mr. Alger's stories are in fact as popular now as when first published, because they are pure in tone and inspiring in influence, and many reforms in the juvenile life of New York may be traced to them. Among the best known are: Strong and Steady;...

1909. Alger is the original rags-to-riches guy, often credited with inventing the strive-and-succeed spirit that inspired boys to work hard and advance themselves in order to achieve the American Dream. This theme resonates throughout his numerous writings. When his father dies suddenly, Frank Kavanaugh is forced to live with his uncle and aunt. Unwilling to support Frank, his uncle urges him to move out. Frank decides to move to New York City where he works in a variety of positions, eventually becoming a Telegraph Boy. On one of his assignments he is asked to work as an errand boy for an...

This book is the story of Robert Rushton. His father, a sea captain, has been disappeared since he went on a voyage two years earlier. He has problems of his own as a young teenager. The son of the superintendent where he works is jealous of him and tries to lord his superiority over him. Young Robert who seems doomed to a life of poverty never gives up hope and his honesty and bravery are rewarded as he goes along. I definitely recommend this to young boys who will see that honesty and bravery indeed have some rewards. While it may seem a little far-fetched to adult readers, it is very...