Most people know that Louisa May Alcott based the characters in Little Women on her own parents, her sisters, and herself.

Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, the four famous March sisters in Little Women, were more than just storybook characters. The author, Louisa May Alcott, based that book on her own loving family — her parents and her sisters, Anna, Elizabeth, and May.

Bronson Alcott’s mother taught him to write on their kitchen floor. Determined to make a life for himself, Bronson set out to find an educational institution where he could teach.

Through his endeavours, Bronson met his future wife, Abba May. Once married, they moved to Germantown — the start of their many moves.

His four daughters, Anna, Louisa, Elizabeth and May, were his pride and joy. Louisa was the most daring of all of them. From an early life, Louisa was always getting into trouble and loved the outdoors.

This fierce determination of Louisa’s — to embark upon the unknown — was a trait she carried through to adulthood. Growing up in a household full of love and joy helped bridge the upheaval everytime they moved. They were poor, but happy.

As Louisa grew, she started to understand the difficulties her parents had faced, and continued to face. Determined to help her parents, Louisa set out on a number of employment opportunities — teaching, sewing, nursing, writing — bringing in meagre wages, however hard she tried.

Through a turn of fate, her short stories and letters brought her to the attention of publishers. A particularly cunning publisher, Mr Thomas Niles, urged Louisa to write a book for girls. Louisa wrote about her own mother and sisters. Little Women became a sensational hit around the world.

From the proceeds, Louisa was able to provide her family with the desperately needed stable income — her one aim in life. She gave her family everything they ever wanted or needed.

She finally had fame and affection — something that was seldom earned.

In this book, Cornelia Meigs tells us the full story of the Alcott (March) family. An unbelievable story of a brave, loving family, even more wonderful than Little Women.

Cornelia Meigs (1844 – 1973) was an American writer. She wrote both fiction and biographies for children. She was also a teacher of English and writing. Meigs began writing children’s books while she was a teacher. During World War II, she spent a year in the War Department. Meigs won the Newbery Medal for the biography of Louisa May Alcott, Invincible Louisa.

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