Ragtime

by Doctorow, E L

Ragtime, E. L. Doctorow’s best-known novel, highlights the American melting pot and how the nation came to be what it is today. Set in the early 1900s, the story namely focuses on a wealthy family living in New Rochelle, New York, simply named Father, Mother, Mother's Younger Brother, Grandfather, and the boy. The boy, Father and Mother's young son, perhaps narrates the novel from a reminiscent adult perspective, but the omniscient narrator is never decidedly identified. The family’s turn-of-the-century journey of adaption addresses the tensions between reacting to the evolution of the era and executing revolution.

Yet Ragtime is far more than the family’s narrative. In a beautiful execution of historical fiction, the novel weaves together biographical subplots of prominent figures of the day, including J.P. Morgan, Harry Houdini, Henry Ford, Sigmund Freud, and Emma Goldman. The result: Ragtime focuses not on just the nameless or the famous, but how the two groups create history together.

Written when Vietnam was drawing to a close, Ragtime addresses issues that were affecting America at the time—from the abuse of power to racism to using sex to sell just about anything—but it also includes classic and enduring themes of morality, repression and injustice, change, and time.

Ragtime was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel and won the National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction in 1975. It also won the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters Award the following year. The novel was adapted for a 1981 movie and a 1998 Tony award-winning Broadway musical. Ragtime is included in TIME’s “100 Best Novels” (since 1923) and ranked 86th on Modern Library’s “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century.

First Edition Identification

Random House first published Ragtime in New York in 1975. The 276-page first editions are bound in brown cloth. First edition dust jackets state the original price of 8.95. From the first printing, 150 copies were specially bound as rare Presentation Copies, which are numbered and signed by the author. Presentation Copies have sold for up to $400.

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Ragtime
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Ragtime

by Doctorow, E. L.

Condition
Used
Published
1975
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1
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Van Nuys, California, USA
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A$233.33

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Random House, New York, 1975; First Edition, First Printing; 8vo, 270 pages; brown cloth; gilt titles and decorations; tan topstain; colored endpapers. His fourth novel, source for the 1981 film of the same name directed by Milos Forman and starring James Cagney and Howard Rollins. Fine, in a Near Fine dustjacket. No chips or tears, no price clipping,… Read more about this item
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A$233.33
Ragtime
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Ragtime

by E. L. Doctorow

Condition
As New
Edition
25th printing stated
Published
1996
ISBN 10
0452275709
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1
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Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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A$17.11

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New York: A Plume Book, 1996. 25th printing stated. AS NEW paperback. HATFIELD BOOKS AND MEMORABILIA, a FIVE STAR SELLER, presents E L DOCTOROW'S CLASSIC novel RAGTIME!, the basis for the film directed by Milos Forman (1981) and for the Broadway musical. This copy is in AS NEW condition The only mark is a remainder mark… Read more about this item
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A$17.11
Ragtime
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Ragtime

by E.L Doctorow

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Fine
Edition
First printing first edition
Published
1975
Binding
Brown cloth, gilt initials on cover, gilt lettering on spine
ISBN 10
0394469011
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1
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Kirkland, Washington, USA
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A$62.22

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271pp., olive topstain, red endpapers. First edition/first printing. Full Random House number line 24689753 (RH first printings start with 2). A fine copy in fine jacket, price intact ($8.95). Dj in protective mylar cover.
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A$62.22
Ragtime (First Edition, inscribed by the author)
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Ragtime (First Edition, inscribed by the author)

by E.L. Doctorow

Condition
Used
Edition
First Edition
Published
1975
ISBN 10
0394469011
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1
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Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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A$544.43

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New York: Random House, 1975. First Edition. First Edition. INSCRIBED by the author on the title page: "For Richard Davison / E.L. Doctorow / Nov 5, 2005." Basis for the 1981 Milos Forman film that received eight Academy Award nominations. Among the large cast was Jeff Daniels in his debut, but the movie is best remembered as… Read more about this item
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A$544.43
Ragtime.

Ragtime.

by Doctorow, E.L

Condition
Used
Published
1975
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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A$466.65

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New York: Random House, 1975. "The political novel of our age . . . the best work of its kind" (New Republic). Listed by The Modern Library as one of the 100 greatest novels of the twentieth century. TIME magazine included the novel in its TIME 100 Best English-Language Novels from 1923 to 2005. It was the basis for… Read more about this item
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A$466.65
Ragtime

Ragtime

by DOCTOROW, E.L.

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Published
1975
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
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Gloucester City, New Jersey, USA
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A$544.43

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New York: Random House, 1975. Hardcover. Near Fine. First edition. Spine tanned else near fine in fine slipcase. One of only 150 numbered copies Signed by the author.
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A$544.43
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Ragtime: The Illustrated Edition

by Doctorow, E.L.

Condition
Used - Good
Published
1976
Binding
Soft cover
ISBN 10
0553010409
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1
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New Port Richey, Florida, USA
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A$28.00

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Bantam Book, 1976. Soft cover. Good. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Yeh, Carol. (Illustrated Edition) Large, heavy softcover, tan wrappers lightly soiled, 369 lightly browned heavy pages. Tiny white spot at spine middle right, tiny light brown spot at bottom back right. Near Very Good.
Item Price
A$28.00
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Ragtime.

by DOCTOROW, E. L.

Condition
Used - Fine in Fine dust jacket
Published
1994
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0679600884
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1
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Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
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A$155.55

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NY:: Modern Library,. Fine in Fine dust jacket. 1994. Hardcover. 0679600884 . First printing thus. SIGNED by the author on the title page. Fine in a fine dust jacket. ; 320 pages; Signed by Author .
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A$155.55
Ragtime

Ragtime

by Doctorow, E. L.

Condition
Used
ISBN 10
0333187628
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1
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Bromsgrove, West Midlands, GBR
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A$11.11

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London: Macmillan, 1976 0333187628. First edition. Hardback. VG in slightly scuffed but unclipped DW. Previous owner's bookplate. 270 pp. .
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A$11.11
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Ragtime: A Novel (Modern Library)

by E.L. Doctorow

Condition
Used - Good
Published
1994-02-01
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0679600884
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1
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HOUSTON, Texas, USA
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A$11.20

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Modern Library, 1994-02-01. Hardcover. Good.
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A$11.20
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Ragtime

by Doctorow, E. L.

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Jacket Condition
Near Fine
Edition
1st Edition.
Published
1976
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0333187628
Quantity Available
1
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Milton, Ontario, CAN
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A$754.42

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MacMillan, 1976 from the library of Greg Gatenby, signed on title page. *****Greg Gatenby was the founding Artistic Director of the world-renowned, annual International Festival of Authors and of the weekly Harbourfront Reading Series. Under the neary thirty years of his directorship, the program featured readings and talks by more than 4,000 authors¿including 19 Nobel laureates¿from more than 90 nations… Read more about this item
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A$754.42
Ragtime [With Signed Bookplate Laid In]

Ragtime [With Signed Bookplate Laid In]

by DOCTOROW, E.L.

Condition
Used
Edition
First U.K. Edition
Published
1976
Quantity Available
1
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Winchester, Virginia, USA
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London: Macmillan London Limited, 1976. First U.K. Edition. First Impression. Octavo (22.25cm); brown cloth, with titles stamped in gilt on spine; dustjacket; [xii],270,[6]pp. Bookplate signed by the author is loosely laid in. Light wear to spine ends, subtle toning to right margin of front endpaper; Near Fine. Dustjacket is unclipped (priced £3.50 net), with some wear to spine ends… Read more about this item
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A$155.55
Ragtime
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Ragtime

by Doctorow, E.L.

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Edition
First U.K. printing
Published
1976
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Schenectady, New York, USA
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A$108.88

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Hardcover with dust jacket. First U.K. printing. This copy signed by Doctorow on the half-title page. Some light general edge wear; date in ink on the front-free end paper.
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A$108.88
Ragtime
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Ragtime

by E. L. Doctorow

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Jacket Condition
Fine
Edition
First
Published
1976
ISBN 10
0333187628
Quantity Available
1
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Carrollton, Texas, USA
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A$77.76

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Dark-green boards; book is shrink-wrapped, so assumed to be first edition. Top and bottom of book spine slightly rumpled because of tightness of shrink-wrap; dust jacket is in Fine condition. Presumed Random House First edition, First printing since book is shrink-wrapped. "An extraordinary tapestry, Ragtime captures the spirit of America in the era between the turn of the century and the… Read more about this item
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A$77.76
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Ragtime

by Doctorow, E.L.

Condition
Used - Collectible - Acceptable
ISBN 10
0394469011
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1
Seller
Frederick, Maryland, USA
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Item Price
A$7.78

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Random House. Collectible - Acceptable. First edition copy. Collectible - Acceptable. Good dust jacket. Hinge cracked. Slightly dampstained.
Item Price
A$7.78
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Ragtime: A Novel (Modern Library) Doctorow, E.L

by Doctorow, E.L

Condition
Like New
Edition
First Edition
Published
1994-02-01
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0679600884
Quantity Available
1
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Ashfield, Massachusetts, USA
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A$43.17

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Modern Library, 1994-02-01. First Edition. Hardcover. Like New. 1st edition 1st printing - brand new clean fine unread copy - enjoy
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A$43.17
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Ragtime

by Doctorow, E.L

Condition
Used - Good
Published
1975-06-11
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0394469011
Quantity Available
1
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Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, USA
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A$5.43

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Description:
Random House, 1975-06-11. hardcover. Good. 6x1x9. US Hard Cover Edition. Book is in good condition. Slight wear may be present on cover, pages, spine or corners. Minimal highlighting/writing may be present. Dustcover may be missing. Code is not included. Great buy!
Item Price
A$5.43
Ragtime
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Ragtime

by DOCTOROW, E.L.

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Published
1975
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Gloucester City, New Jersey, USA
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Item Price
A$194.44

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Description:
New York: Random House, 1975. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. First edition. Foxing on the boards and page edges else very good in a very good acetate dust jacket with short tears and some spotting. Special edition prepared for presentation to the friends of the author and the publisher Signed by the author. Doctorow's breakthrough book. Basis for both… Read more about this item
Item Price
A$194.44
Ragtime

Ragtime

by Doctorow, E. L.

Condition
Used - Very Good+ in Very Good dust jacket
Edition
1
Published
1975
Binding
Hard Cover
ISBN 10
0394469011
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Palatine, Illinois, USA
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Item Price
A$32.67

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Description:
NY: Random House. Very Good+ in Very Good dust jacket. 1975. 1. Hard Cover. 0394469011 . Publisher's full brown cloth with gilt emblem on front cover, gilt lettering on spine, red endpapers and top edge colored brown. . Spine and front cover have slight rubbing to the gilt, former owner's name on fep, page edges… Read more about this item
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A$32.67
Ragtime (Signed)
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Ragtime (Signed)

by E. L. Doctorow

Condition
Used - Very Good- in Very Good dust jacket
Edition
First Edition; First Printing
Published
1976
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Cape Town, ZAF
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Item Price
A$101.11

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Description:
London: MacMillan. Very Good- in Very Good dust jacket. 1976. First Edition; First Printing. Hardcover. A signed first edition. Well used book, maybe VG-, stains on board and edges, internally clean and flat signed by Doctorow. Very good DJ, some chips and wear now with a brodart cover; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; Signed by Author… Read more about this item
Item Price
A$101.11