Sink or Swim

Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832-1899) is one of America’s most remarkable authors. Wikipedia lists Alger as the best-selling American fiction author of the 1800s and one of the best-selling authors in world history. Alger’s books are thrilling page-turners with cliff-hanger endings that leave readers eager for the next chapter. While his books are hugely entertaining, Alger wrote with a serious purpose, believing that books have a profound influence on readers for good or ill. Alger creates stark contrasts between his heroes and villians. In the tradition of Benjamin Franklin, the heroes are ambitious, industrious, thrifty, honest, and temperate. In their struggle to survive and prosper in a free, competitive economy, they exhibit bravery, generosity, filial devotion, neatness, and a belief in education. They achieve success by deserving it. Not only young adults, but men, women, boys, and girls of all ages have been fascinated by Alger’s stories. Narrated and very slightly edited by Christopher Crennen.
Praise for Alger’s writing: “very readable and entertaining”, “startlingly modern style, simple and realistic”, “no juvenile books are more persistently read”, “thrilling episodes”, “causes the sympathetic tear”, “bright and lively”, “exciting and interesting”, “spirited adventures”, “stirring”.
Praise for Alger’s lessons: “full of inspiration to honesty and industry”, “virtue rewarded and evil punished”, “hard work, ambition, and high moral character”, “cheerfulness, honesty, and good deeds”, “self-reliance, self-discipline, decency”, “full of excellent lessons and helpful thoughts”, “impressive and wholesome”, “good practical advice”, “useful lessons”, “the right kind of story-telling”.
More praise for Alger’s books: “pure and simple”, “a delight”, “commendable”, “spirited and inspiring”, “most heartily recommend”, “admirable”, “excellent”, “phenomenal”, “swell”, “rattling good”, “bully”.