Joe's Luck Author:Jr. Horatio Alger Alger was famous for writing 135 dime novels, many of which told rags to riches stories. These stories give the reader a better understanding of American culture and its developing social ideals. Joe had become an orphan when his father died. After his father's affairs were settled, Joe had only enough money for a few clothes. Joe traveled to... more » California and through hard work became a success.« less