Customer Reviews

Ragged Dick: Or, Street Life in New York with the Boot Blacks (Signet Classics)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"Ragged Dick," a story about a young, poor, boot-black boy from New York City, is a Classic American novel. Written by Horatio Alger, in the late 1800's, hit upon the most important topic in America at the time; the "American Dream." The "American Dream," being the idea that everyone, from all walks of life, can come to America and be successful, in any way in which they want to, so long as they have hard work and determination to do so. Ragged Dick for filled this "Dream" by making his way up in society, and eventually making a wealthy man of himself.
I enjoyed reading "Ragged Dick." The story, though it was short, covered some very important topics of life back in the 1800's. The first was that fact that noone should give up. Through all of the hardships Dick was put through, including the loss of his parents, the mis-fortune of receiving no education, and the fact that he lived on his own for most of his life. Another important topic that was covered, was that hard work pays off. In Dick's case, he worked hard at a boot-black, treated people with respect, and finally caught a break for his hard work, by receiving a high paying job.
The kind of people that would enjoy this story would be people of all ages. No matter what age, or what level of education one may be, this story teaches lessons that anyone can benefit from. It doesn't matter if a twelve year old boy, or a fifty year old woman picked up "Ragged Dick," because they will both benefit from what the story speaks about.

RAGGED DICK is a wonderful example of the late 19th century optimism in between the major depressions that plagued America during those years. I agree that this is an inspirational story for children and early adolescents. The values it imparts--loyalty, work, cooperation, persistence--are certainly ones that we would want our youth exposed to. But it holds something for adults too: and that is a first-hand glimpse of post-Civil War New York City. The struggle of the orphans, the advantages of the privileged class, the thieves, the confidence men, the unforgiving hardness of poverty in the pre-Jacob Riis days are all there. And that's what makes this book a double winner: it has something for the young and something for the older.

We all like a good story about underdogs and this is no exception. From the start of the story, we see the true nature of Ragged Dick. Uneducated, but honest. Ultimately, those are the two parralels in Dick's life. The inner battle to keep his honesty (i.e. not stealing) while at the same time surviving. The concept of the story is great. The reason it only earned 3 stars from me is because of some unanswered questions. The biggest one: Where the heck did Dick learn to swim? If he's grown up on the streets of New York his entire life, where could he have gotten his "expert" ability to swim? And why would Mr. Whitney let his son Frank go with Ragged Dick in a strange town? Also, there was way too much luck involved. The author accounts for this by implying that to be successful you have to create your own luck. Is that true? Who knows. All in all though, this was a good read and I recommend it to others interested in 19th century capitolism and becoming "'spectable".

"I aint been knookin around these city streets for all my life for nothin," exclaims Ragged Dick, the hero of the novel Ragged Dick, by Horatio Alger Jr. This timeless classic brings the reader into the life of a young boy growing up on the harsh city streets of New York City in the late 1800's. Ragged Dick became an orphan at the age of four and was forced to take care of himself soon after at the age of seven. Dick becomes a boot black so he can earn enough money to take care of himself and this is where the reader begins the story. Ragged Dick turns into a fast paced adventurous novel which will constantly leave the reader asking "what next?" Join the many who have become enthralled by this book and follow the adventures of Ragged Dick and his friends you meet along the way. Learn how Dick, the lovable boot black, turns out. Does he live up to his goal of "livin a s'pectable life" like he always hoped to? Find out, by reading this timeless classic.

Although many scoff at his work today, Horatio Alger Jr. remains the quintessential boys' author of the 19th century. "Ragged Dick" serves as a model for all his other stories as we follow Dick through his rise from rags to riches (or at least middle class respectability.) Alger's talent as a storyteller can not be denied as the reader is carried along from page to page, eager to find out what will happen to the eponymous hero next.
Why the author of the forward to this volume has chosen to continue to spread the myth of Alger's pedophilia is puzzling. The debunked and universally discredited biography by Alfred Mayes first started this canard in the early part of the 20th century and succeeding biographers have parroted Mayes' lies. Mayes himself admitted, in print, that the entire biography was a hoax from start to finish.
Alger should be remembered for his stories which paint a vivid picture of 19th century New York City street life and for the tremendous humanitarian work he performed for homeless children of New York City.

I can honestly say that at first I thought this book would be boring and I would have to force myself to read it. I was wrong!! This book was so interesting, funny and heart felt, it made me laugh and teary-eyed all at the same time. I have recommended this book to people that don't even have to read it as a class assignment. At night before I went to bed I would read it and on my lunch break I would go into my car and read it, I couldn't put it down until I read the whole story. If I had to sum it up in one word it would be EXCELLENT!!!!

Ragged Dick is a GREAT book for boys 9-14. I highly recomend it. If you want a good, old-time book here you go.I really injoyed it. Please try it out.You will love it.

Ragged Dick is a GREAT book for boys 9-14. I highly recomend it. If you want a good, old-time book here you go.I really injoyed it. Please try it out.You will love it.

Ragged Dick, by Horatio Alger is a book telling about the story of a young man who ultimately reaches the American Dream of living a respectable . Alger's main purpose in the text was to illustrate that a person of little class can make achieve a life of happiness with honesty. The text was very appealing because it seemed that Alger was very passionate about helping orphans , he story was so realistic that it made you think he went through all of Dick`s experiences. Alger`s character`s were very realistic, which makes a almost fairy tale like book better. Alger's words although simple were full of emotion.
Alger effectively demonstrated through the actions of the characters that it is possible to climb the social ladder and end up with a wonderful life. This was done by showing the steps the main character Dick took to reach greatness. It is apparent that Alger wants you to feel what Dick is feeling. Alger using a lot of foreshadowing and symbolizes which makes the book much more thought provoking.
I found the book to be a valuable tool in helping me see things through the eyes of someone who has to work for what he wants. It gave me insight into the obstacles of life in the 1800`s. The book aided in my preparation for learning about the all history , not just a specific time period; the story is timeless . It gave me a reference to think about when I am presented with a story of a politician or other person who rose in position.
The text was very simple , almost too simple at places. It was a short read that went extremely quickly. Alger accomplished hid purpose. After reading one has to see how someone can rise up in society.

Have you heard the phrase "Horatio Alger story" and wondered what exactly that meant? Read "Ragged Dick" and you will learn what made the author famous and the above phrase so ubiquitous. America loves an underdog story and "Ragged Dick"; while short in length, harkens back to a time when hard work, honesty and just a tad of luck could seemingly lead to success and a better life.

"Ragged Dick" tells the story of young boot-black (shoeshine) Dick as he uses his wit, street smarts and eternal optimism to rise above his poor beginnings and strive for the American dream. Dick has to hustle every day just to survive, but unlike some of his shady comrades Dick knows he is working towards a better life and no matter what station of life he was born into that doesn't mean he has to stay there. Dick has a friend teach him to read and he studies every night knowing that through education and hard work he will better his chances of making it out of his current predicament.

Written in 1868 the story seems dated now, but the themes of diligence, compassion and resourcefulness are all woven throughout the book and serve as reminders that good people (and kids) can finish first. Alger went on to write many stories with similar themes, but "Ragged Dick" was his first bestseller and most beloved work.

In my opinion what "Ragged Dick" has going for it is exactly what makes it seem so conventional and dated. There are no flashy characters, no high drama or epic battles of good and evil. What you do have is a young man from modest beginnings who works hard, tells the truth, helps others even though he has little and only wants to better his life.

Some themes are timeless and "Ragged Dick" serves as a quiet reminder of what basic human decency and a strong will can do.