"Risen from the Ranks" is an enthralling novel written by Horatio Alger, a celebrated 19th-century American author renowned for his uplifting and inspirational stories. This book follows the journey of Paul Prescott and a young and hardworking farm boy with dreams of a brighter future. Living on a small farm, Paul faces financial struggles and limited opportunities. However, his strong work ethic and determination set him apart, as he aspires to rise above his humble beginnings and make a name for himself. Fate smiles upon Paul when he saves the life of a wealthy city merchant. Grateful for his heroic act, the merchant offers him an opportunity to work at his store in the bustling city of New York. Paul seizes the chance, leaving behind his rural life and embarking on a new adventure. As Paul navigates the challenges of city life and embraces his role at the store, he demonstrates honesty, integrity, and a remarkable ability to adapt. His exceptional character and perseverance capture the attention of his employer, who rewards him with promotions and increased responsibilities. "Risen from the Ranks" is a compelling tale of hard work, honesty, and the pursuit of the American Dream.

In 'Risen from the Ranks; Or, Harry Walton's Success' by Horatio Jr. Alger, readers are taken on a journey through the life of young Harry Walton as he rises from poverty to success. Alger's style is characterized by his depiction of moral lessons through the struggles and triumphs of his characters, making the book a classic example of 19th-century American literature. The novel is a testament to the American Dream and serves as an inspiration for young readers to persevere through adversity. The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged as they follow Harry on his path to success. Horatio Jr. Alger, known for his rags-to-riches stories, draws from his own experiences and observations of societal values to craft a narrative that resonates with readers of all ages. His own upbringing and career as a minister likely influenced his writing, as he often incorporated themes of moral character and hard work into his stories. Alger's deep understanding of the human spirit is evident in 'Risen from the Ranks,' making it a timeless classic. For those seeking a captivating tale of perseverance and success, 'Risen from the Ranks; Or, Harry Walton's Success' is a must-read. Alger's poignant storytelling and insightful character development make this book a valuable addition to any reader's library.

Hoping to become a newspaper editor, a teen-age boy begins his career as a printer's devil.

In Ragged Dick, Horatio Alger’s most successful book, Alger codified the basic formula he would follow in nearly a hundred subsequent novels for boys: a young hero, inexperienced in the temptations of the city but morally armed to resist them, is unexpectedly forced to earn a livelihood. The hero’s exemplary struggle—to retain his virtue, to clear his name of accusations, and to gain economic independence—was the basis of the Alger plot. Hugely popular at the turn of the twentieth century, Alger’s works have at different times been framed as a model for the “American dream” and as dangerously exciting sensationalism for young readers; Gary Scharnhorst’s new introduction separates the myth of Alger as “success ideologue” from the more complex messages conveyed in his work. Ragged Dick is paired in this edition with Risen from the Ranks, another coming-of-age story of a young man achieving respectability. Historical appendices include extensive contemporary reviews, material on the “success myth” associated with Alger, and parodies of Alger’s work.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1874.

When William Henry Hunt married Ida Alexander Gibbs in the spring of 1904, their wedding was a dazzling Washington social event that joined an Oberlin-educated diplomat's daughter and a Wall Street veteran who could trace his lineage to Jamestown. Their union took place in a world of refinement and privilege, but both William and Ida had mixed-race backgrounds, and their country therefore placed severe restrictions on their lives because at that time, "one drop of colored blood" classified anyone as a Negro. This "stain" of melanin pushed the couple's achievements to the margins of American society. Nonetheless, as William followed a career in the foreign service, Ida (whose grandfather was probably Richard Malcolm Johnson, a vice president of the United States) moved in intellectual and political circles that included the likes of Frederick Douglass, J. Pierpont Morgan, Booker T. Washington, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Mary Church Terrell. Born into slavery, William had an adventurous youth, including a brief career as a jockey and an interlude at Williams College; ultimately he succeeded Ida's father as consul. The diplomat's "expatriate" life provided him with a distinguished career and a stage on which to showcase his talents throughout the world, as well as an escape from racial stigmas back home. Free of the diplomatic hindrances her husband faced, Ida advocated openly against race and gender inequities, and was a major participant in W. E. B. Du Bois's post-World-War I Pan-African Congresses which took her to stimulating European capitals that were largely free of racial oppression. In this, William and Ida's unique dual biography, Adele Logan Alexander gracefully traces an extraordinary partnership with a historian's skills and insights. She also presents a nuanced account of the complex impact of race in the early twentieth-century world.