Strive and Succeed; or, The Progress of Walter Conrad

"Strive and Succeed; or, The Progress of Walter Conrad" by Horatio Alger, Jr. is a late 19th-century story about a young man's determined path to success. It's a motivational story for young readers about a young man named Walter Conrad, who uses the alias "Gilbert Howard," and is full of struggle after struggle. Set in Wisconsin, the story begins with Walter on a train heading to Portville, hoping to clear his father's name. Along the way, Walter meets both helpful people like General Wall, who has some connections to his father, and those who are more challenging, like John Wall, the General's son. Themes of never giving up, always working hard, and the importance of strong morals guide Walter as he faces difficult choices and learns valuable lessons about himself.