Horatio Alger Jr. January 13, 1832 - July 18, 1899) was an American writer, best known for his many young adult 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 the United States during the Gilded Age.All of Alger's juvenile novels share essentially the same theme, known as the "Horatio Alger myth" a teenage boy works hard to escape poverty. Often it is not hard work 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.Alger secured his literary niche in 1868 with the publication of his fourth book, Ragged Dick, the story of a poor bootblack's rise to middle-class respectability. This novel was a huge success. His many books that followed were essentially variations on Ragged Dick and featured casts of stock characters: the valiant hard-working, honest youth, the noble mysterious stranger, the snobbish youth, and the evil, greedy squire.In the 1870s, Alger's fiction was growing stale. His publisher suggested he tour the American West for fresh material to incorporate into his fiction. Alger took a trip to California, but the trip had little effect on his writing: he remained mired in the tired theme of "poor boy makes good." The backdrops of these novels, however, became the American West rather than the urban environments of the northeastern United States.

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Horatio Jr. Alger's novel, 'Bob Burton; or, The Young Ranchman of the Missouri,' is a classic tale of a young man's journey through hardship and perseverance. Written in Alger's signature style of moralistic and optimistic storytelling, this book navigates themes of determination, resilience, and the American Dream. Set in the vast wilderness of the Missouri ranchlands, the novel captures the adventurous spirit of the protagonist as he overcomes obstacles to achieve success. Alger's straightforward prose and emphasis on moral lessons make this book a timeless piece of American literature. In the context of 19th-century American writing, Alger's works were influential in shaping the ideals of self-improvement and hard work that were prevalent during the time. His stories often served as moral guides for young readers, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and never give up. The author, Horatio Jr. Alger, drew inspiration from his own experiences and observations of society to create relatable characters and situations. His own struggles with poverty and determination to succeed are reflected in the narrative of 'Bob Burton,' making it a personal and heartfelt story. Recommended for readers interested in classic American literature, 'Bob Burton; or, The Young Ranchman of the Missouri' is a compelling and inspiring read that continues to resonate with audiences of all ages.

*This Book is annotated (it contains a detailed biography of the author). *An active Table of Contents has been added by the publisher for a better customer experience. *This book has been checked and corrected for spelling errors.Young Bob tries to foil the schemes of a crooked real estate agent plotting to seize his family's ranch.