"Ragged Dick" was contributed as a serial story to the pages of the Schoolmate, a well-known juvenile magazine, during the year 1867. While in course of publication, it was received with so many evidences of favor that it has been rewritten and considerably enlarged, and is now presented to the public as the first volume of a series intended to illustrate the life and experiences of the friendless and vagrant children who are now numbered by thousands in New York and other cities. Several characters in the story are ...
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"Ragged Dick" was contributed as a serial story to the pages of the Schoolmate, a well-known juvenile magazine, during the year 1867. While in course of publication, it was received with so many evidences of favor that it has been rewritten and considerably enlarged, and is now presented to the public as the first volume of a series intended to illustrate the life and experiences of the friendless and vagrant children who are now numbered by thousands in New York and other cities. Several characters in the story are sketched from life. The necessary information has been gathered mainly from personal observation and conversations with the boys themselves. The author is indebted also to the excellent Superintendent of the Newsboys' Lodging House, in Fulton Street, for some facts of which he has been able to make use. Some anachronisms may be noted. Wherever they occur, they have been admitted, as aiding in the development of the story, and will probably be considered as of little importance in an unpretending volume, which does not aspire to strict historical accuracy. The author hopes that, while the volumes in this series may prove interesting stories, they may also have the effect of enlisting the sympathies of his readers in behalf of the unfortunate children whose life is described, and of leading them to co-operate with the praiseworthy efforts now making by the Children's Aid Society and other organizations to ameliorate their condition. - Taken from "Ragged Dick Or Street Life In New York With The Boot-Blacks" written by Horatio Alger
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Seller's Description:
Used book in good and clean conditions. Pages and cover are intact. Limited notes marks and highlighting may be present. May show signs of normal shelf wear and bends on edges. Item may be missing CDs or access codes. May include library marks. Fast Shipping.
This sweet tale of a poor but honest bootblack, Dick, and his relentless pursuit of "respectability" is the first of several books that Horatio Alger wrote in his attempt to prove that all boys - regardless of class - can rise in the world if they are honest, kind and hard-working. Dick's realization of this fact, along with the help of several great allies, and his earnest efforts to better himself make for an enjoyable read. Although the book's moralistic tone might seem simplistic and inappropriate for today's youth, I would have to say that it's the kind of book that kids today NEED to read. This is the kind of story that we have too easily forgotten and the kind of lesson that everyone should learn again. Because the book really isn't "preachy," and because the characters are portrayed realistically and not as angelic, it's a believable story and a quick, charming read.
