Bernard Brooks' Adventures

Horatio Alger (January 13, 1832 – July 18, 1899) an American author who wrote young adult novels about impoverished boys and their rise from humble backgrounds to middle-class security and comfort through good works. His writings were characterized by the "rags-to-riches" narrative, which had a formative effect on the United States from 1868 through to his death in 1899. Alger secured his literary niche in 1868 with the publication of Ragged Dick, the story of a poor bootblack's rise to middle-class respectability. The novel was a success. His many books that followed were essentially variations on Ragged Dick and featured stock characters: the valiant, hardworking, honest youth; the noble mysterious stranger; the snobbish youth; and the evil, greedy squire.