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Louisa May Alcott: A Life from Beginning to End
Louisa May Alcott was everything a woman in the nineteenth century shouldn’t be—uninterested in marriage, financially independent, and a tomboy. Even as a young child, Louisa May was exposed to the leading radical minds of her time, such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, both of whom became her lifelong friends. Louisa May Alcott had to help support her family from an early age and was both proud of her ability to do so and frustrated by her family’s perpetual poverty.
Her most famous novel, Little Women, was a semi-biographical version of her life with her three sisters and how they grew up. While her father, the educator Amos Bronson Alcott, could make her life exasperating, her beloved mother, Abigail, always supported her daughters’ right to chart their own course in life, whether society approved or not.
An early feminist, Louisa May Alcott fought for women’s rights throughout her life and became the first woman in Concord, Massachusetts to register to vote.
Her most famous novel, Little Women, was a semi-biographical version of her life with her three sisters and how they grew up. While her father, the educator Amos Bronson Alcott, could make her life exasperating, her beloved mother, Abigail, always supported her daughters’ right to chart their own course in life, whether society approved or not.
An early feminist, Louisa May Alcott fought for women’s rights throughout her life and became the first woman in Concord, Massachusetts to register to vote.
37 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 24, 2020
114 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 1, 2022
The Many Faces of Louisa May Alcott
Louisa’s was a complex personality. Probably what surprised me most was that the novels she actually wanted to write were “racy” romances of which she penned several. In fact, she did not want to write Little Women, arguing with her publisher for the option of authoring something much more passionate, romantic and fiery. Apparently she hated writing Little Women, and all the others in the series, close-knit family sagas, but did it because it brought her the fame and fortune she craved.
She did not want to marry. Was a suffragette like her mother. A free thinker. A transcendentalist. A friend of Thoreau and Emerson. An abolitionist.
Yet she worked all her life, from an early age, to provide for the family she was born into. When the Civil War began she went to Washington to nurse the wounded. There she became ill and was treated with medicine containing mercury that poisoned her. She recovered but the latent effects of mercury poisoning afflicted her all her life till her early death at 55.
This biography is worth reading to learn about the many faces of Louisa May Alcott.
And ….. she admitted Jo was her.
Louisa’s was a complex personality. Probably what surprised me most was that the novels she actually wanted to write were “racy” romances of which she penned several. In fact, she did not want to write Little Women, arguing with her publisher for the option of authoring something much more passionate, romantic and fiery. Apparently she hated writing Little Women, and all the others in the series, close-knit family sagas, but did it because it brought her the fame and fortune she craved.
She did not want to marry. Was a suffragette like her mother. A free thinker. A transcendentalist. A friend of Thoreau and Emerson. An abolitionist.
Yet she worked all her life, from an early age, to provide for the family she was born into. When the Civil War began she went to Washington to nurse the wounded. There she became ill and was treated with medicine containing mercury that poisoned her. She recovered but the latent effects of mercury poisoning afflicted her all her life till her early death at 55.
This biography is worth reading to learn about the many faces of Louisa May Alcott.
And ….. she admitted Jo was her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2025
Good read
“I want to do something splendid . . . Something heroic or wonderful that won’t be forgotten after I’m dead . . . I think I shall write books.” —Louisa May Alcott
“I want to do something splendid . . . Something heroic or wonderful that won’t be forgotten after I’m dead . . . I think I shall write books.” —Louisa May Alcott
June 22, 2020
I didn’t know much about Alcott though I’ve read many of her books. She started out writing scandalous short stories until her publisher suggested she write a children’s novel which became “Little Women” based on her family. It’s interesting to learn about the family dynamics that shaped her and her writing. Her father was a progressive teacher who preferred his ideals to supporting his family so it was left to Louisa, who wasn’t his favorite, to support the family with her writing. Ralph Waldo Emerson bailed out the family many times as well. Louisa decided never to marry after seeing how difficult her mother’s dependence on her unreliable father was. This 37-page book contains a lot of background on one of our beloved authors. Most of the books in this series have some errors in the text.
November 5, 2021
Now for a Little Women re-read.
November 13, 2021
This was a short but informative biography about Louisa May Alcott, I learnt more about her life and the story behind Little women.
August 11, 2024
I'm a fan of the Hourly History series of books. There are many people and historical events that I don't want to read about in full length books, nor do I want to read about them in the condensed wedges of information you find on Wikipedia. These Hourly History books are a great alternative. You get a brisk outline of relevant events - peppered with more emotional descriptions which bring the books to life.
The latest one I've just read was about Louise M Alcott, born in 1832, and the author of Little Women. Her story is fascinating.
Her father was an extraordinary man who had a great influence on her life. He was a member of the Transcendentalist movement and great friends with people like Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. They believed that everyone was entitled to freedom and equality, and supported the abolishment of slavery and women's suffrage. They also had a great reverence for nature. All good stuff you might think, but Bronson Alcott was a total fanatic - and fanatics are hard work.
Bronson spent most of his life teaching, or at least trying to teach, as school after school that he opened ended up being closed. He was so extreme in his ideas that parents eventually refused to let their children attend his classes, and eventually every school closed. He also tried to open a commune called Fruitlands on a farm in Harvard, Massachusetts. Its members were only permitted fruits and vegetables for food, and tilled the land without animal labour. Fruitlands was abandoned within a year of its opening. His immediate family led a harsh life throughout these years, as they were often drastically short of money. This meant wearing old clothes and often there wasn't even enough money to feed the family. But none of this persuaded Bronson to climb down from his high horse and do the sort of work which would have enabled him to provide for them properly.
Louisa saw the difficulties that her mother and siblings experienced in the face of her father's intractable high-mindedness, and swore she would never marry. However his behaviour didn't put her off Transcendentalism and its ideals, and her books frequently reflect these, and the values shared by her parents.
When she was older Louisa worked as a teacher. She also took in sewing for people. She had been dabbling in poetry for a few years, and this gradually extended into writing.
However in 1861, the Civil War broke out, and she immediately went to Washington to train as a nurse. It was a rough and very dirty city then, many people, especially escaped slaves, were living in squalor. It had no sewage system until 1863. But Louisa persisted with her training and hospital work until the Battle of Fredericksburg, when the hospital was drastically over-filled with patients. She became ill and was diagnosed with typhus pneumonia, and she had to go home. The medicine she received for the typhus contained mercury, which later on her in life caused mercury poisoning and finally her death.
Meanwhile, back at home she continued with her writing. She became the main financial support of her family, which was very important to her. Surprisingly to modern readers - at this stage she was writing bodice rippers under the pseudonym A.M. Barnard. It was her publisher who persuaded her to write a book for children, and thus Little Women came into being. It was immediately a fantastic success. This was followed by three more books in this series. All this time Louisa was keenly aware of her family's financial needs, and saw her writing as a way of keeping them comfortable. She never did marry.
On March 6th 1888, two days after the death of her father, Louisa died, aged just 55.
Ever since its initial publication Little Women has never been out of print.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which I got for free. The Hourly History publishers run a scheme whereby every Friday they offer free kindle books as an enticement to check their website. Not all the books in the series that I've read have been hits with me, but this one scores 5 stars. Very interesting and enjoyable.
The latest one I've just read was about Louise M Alcott, born in 1832, and the author of Little Women. Her story is fascinating.
Her father was an extraordinary man who had a great influence on her life. He was a member of the Transcendentalist movement and great friends with people like Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. They believed that everyone was entitled to freedom and equality, and supported the abolishment of slavery and women's suffrage. They also had a great reverence for nature. All good stuff you might think, but Bronson Alcott was a total fanatic - and fanatics are hard work.
Bronson spent most of his life teaching, or at least trying to teach, as school after school that he opened ended up being closed. He was so extreme in his ideas that parents eventually refused to let their children attend his classes, and eventually every school closed. He also tried to open a commune called Fruitlands on a farm in Harvard, Massachusetts. Its members were only permitted fruits and vegetables for food, and tilled the land without animal labour. Fruitlands was abandoned within a year of its opening. His immediate family led a harsh life throughout these years, as they were often drastically short of money. This meant wearing old clothes and often there wasn't even enough money to feed the family. But none of this persuaded Bronson to climb down from his high horse and do the sort of work which would have enabled him to provide for them properly.
Louisa saw the difficulties that her mother and siblings experienced in the face of her father's intractable high-mindedness, and swore she would never marry. However his behaviour didn't put her off Transcendentalism and its ideals, and her books frequently reflect these, and the values shared by her parents.
When she was older Louisa worked as a teacher. She also took in sewing for people. She had been dabbling in poetry for a few years, and this gradually extended into writing.
However in 1861, the Civil War broke out, and she immediately went to Washington to train as a nurse. It was a rough and very dirty city then, many people, especially escaped slaves, were living in squalor. It had no sewage system until 1863. But Louisa persisted with her training and hospital work until the Battle of Fredericksburg, when the hospital was drastically over-filled with patients. She became ill and was diagnosed with typhus pneumonia, and she had to go home. The medicine she received for the typhus contained mercury, which later on her in life caused mercury poisoning and finally her death.
Meanwhile, back at home she continued with her writing. She became the main financial support of her family, which was very important to her. Surprisingly to modern readers - at this stage she was writing bodice rippers under the pseudonym A.M. Barnard. It was her publisher who persuaded her to write a book for children, and thus Little Women came into being. It was immediately a fantastic success. This was followed by three more books in this series. All this time Louisa was keenly aware of her family's financial needs, and saw her writing as a way of keeping them comfortable. She never did marry.
On March 6th 1888, two days after the death of her father, Louisa died, aged just 55.
Ever since its initial publication Little Women has never been out of print.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which I got for free. The Hourly History publishers run a scheme whereby every Friday they offer free kindle books as an enticement to check their website. Not all the books in the series that I've read have been hits with me, but this one scores 5 stars. Very interesting and enjoyable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2025
Αν συναρπάζει κάτι, μεταξύ άλλων, σε αυτο το βιβλίο για τη ζωή της Louisa May Alcott, είναι το γεγονός ότι κατάφερε, μια γυναίκα, να συντηρήσει μια οικογένεια κατά τη διάρκεια μιας άκρως ανδροκρατούμενης περιόδου.
Η πρώιμη ζωή της ήταν περίπλοκη. Μέλος μιας οικογένειας όπου ο πατέρας ήταν μια αξιοσέβαστη, σίγουρα, φιγούρα, έξυπνος, μορφωμένος, αλλά επιδιδόταν κυρίως σε διαλέξεις και φιλοσοφικές συζητήσεις με γνωστούς συγγραφείς της εποχής, η Louisa, η μητέρα και οι αδερφές της έπρεπε να βρίσκουν συνεχώς δουλειά για να συντηρήσουν εκείνες την οικογένεια. Ένθερμοι υποστηρικτές της κατάργησης της δουλείας και των δικαιωμάτων των γυναικών, οι γονείς με την στάση τους έδωσαν ενα έναυσμα που λειτουργησε ευεργετικά στη ζωή της συγγραφέως του Little Women.
Αξίζει τον χρόνο σας, κατά την ταπεινή μου άποψη.
Η πρώιμη ζωή της ήταν περίπλοκη. Μέλος μιας οικογένειας όπου ο πατέρας ήταν μια αξιοσέβαστη, σίγουρα, φιγούρα, έξυπνος, μορφωμένος, αλλά επιδιδόταν κυρίως σε διαλέξεις και φιλοσοφικές συζητήσεις με γνωστούς συγγραφείς της εποχής, η Louisa, η μητέρα και οι αδερφές της έπρεπε να βρίσκουν συνεχώς δουλειά για να συντηρήσουν εκείνες την οικογένεια. Ένθερμοι υποστηρικτές της κατάργησης της δουλείας και των δικαιωμάτων των γυναικών, οι γονείς με την στάση τους έδωσαν ενα έναυσμα που λειτουργησε ευεργετικά στη ζωή της συγγραφέως του Little Women.
Αξίζει τον χρόνο σας, κατά την ταπεινή μου άποψη.
May 24, 2021
I thought there was quite a bit of information packed into this short, one hour biography. It was interesting and rather upsetting to learn about her father's neglect. He favored her sister over Louisa, and then his strange beliefs adversely affected the entire family in his inability to support the family, plunging his wife and children into near starvation at times. I found it fascinating that "Little Women" was in many ways biographical, based on Louisa and her sisters. However, "Little Women" was much more of a fantasy and the happy ending did not extend to real life, for Louisa never married. This book is worth the read!
November 20, 2021
Great American Author
Alcott struggled her entire life with perceptions of inadequacy, and much of her adult life with chronic illness. Yet, her influence on American literature and the evolution of the role of women cannot be understated. This quick reading biography will give the reader a brief intro to Alcott and her most important works.
Alcott struggled her entire life with perceptions of inadequacy, and much of her adult life with chronic illness. Yet, her influence on American literature and the evolution of the role of women cannot be understated. This quick reading biography will give the reader a brief intro to Alcott and her most important works.
September 24, 2022
Okay
Started out pretty decent. Overall not a bad read. What I didn't like was how quickly it ended. While there wasn't much information in the whole book, the majority was in the first half. It was wrapped up so fast towards the end. Wish the entire book had been as nice a read instead of feeling rushed at the end.
Started out pretty decent. Overall not a bad read. What I didn't like was how quickly it ended. While there wasn't much information in the whole book, the majority was in the first half. It was wrapped up so fast towards the end. Wish the entire book had been as nice a read instead of feeling rushed at the end.
December 11, 2024
Oh Yes, I’ve read “Little Women”
Hasn’t everyone? But, how much did we really know Louisa. I knew she also wrote “Little Men.” But, I knew nothing of her youth, her family, her acquaintances, and whether She’d lived the good life.
There’s so much more to Alcott to be learned. This Hourly History ids a cornucopia of information.
Hasn’t everyone? But, how much did we really know Louisa. I knew she also wrote “Little Men.” But, I knew nothing of her youth, her family, her acquaintances, and whether She’d lived the good life.
There’s so much more to Alcott to be learned. This Hourly History ids a cornucopia of information.
June 22, 2020
Louisa May - a rebel or a model?
Great story of a woman of her time. Interesting and a novelty for me, being more used to read about European women and usually from the Middle-ages or the Renaissance.
Great story of a woman of her time. Interesting and a novelty for me, being more used to read about European women and usually from the Middle-ages or the Renaissance.
May 21, 2021
It's kind of sad that everyone knows this author for her book - 'Little Women'. There are so many books by her that influence us to think about the sad lives of women during her times. This book explores her life, books, and the conditions of women during the 19th Century.
May 30, 2021
Thanks for an interesting read.
I've always viewed writing as an art. Reading the life story of the author presents a story showing, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the writer's tool-bag must include far more than a pen, paper and ink.
I've always viewed writing as an art. Reading the life story of the author presents a story showing, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the writer's tool-bag must include far more than a pen, paper and ink.
September 22, 2024
Surprisingly Informative.
I wasn't sure what to expect from a relatively short book but I have to say that it was surprisingly detailed and informative. It does what it says on the tin, it's Hourly History, so it's quick - but it definitely delivers.
I wasn't sure what to expect from a relatively short book but I have to say that it was surprisingly detailed and informative. It does what it says on the tin, it's Hourly History, so it's quick - but it definitely delivers.
June 1, 2020
Poor lady had a bad home life it seems but I didn't feel the book told us what was going on at the time of her life. Good read and will look for more about the lady.
June 1, 2020
A bid little woman
Interesting that the movie was released last fall. I knew it was a book but not the story behind it.
Interesting that the movie was released last fall. I knew it was a book but not the story behind it.
June 2, 2020
Louisa May Alcott
A fairly dry short biography of author Louisa M. Alcott that possibly explains why her books seemed so very long
A fairly dry short biography of author Louisa M. Alcott that possibly explains why her books seemed so very long
September 17, 2021
There is quite a bit of information about Alcott in this short book, much of which I had never known before.
October 4, 2022
Enjoy
I really like hourly history books. You can learn about persons in a concise format. She was an incredible lady.
I really like hourly history books. You can learn about persons in a concise format. She was an incredible lady.
November 7, 2022
Slightly more on the persuasive side ("yes, she really was a feminist, despite what she wrote") than most of these short histories, but good information.
February 23, 2024
Everything I learn about Louisa makes me feel like I am staring in a mirror, unbarred by decades and truly known. She is just fantastic (too bad about that mercury poisoning iykyk)
February 26, 2024
Good
This was an interesting read. It was interesting seeing how she grew up and developed her beliefs. Her stories were good
This was an interesting read. It was interesting seeing how she grew up and developed her beliefs. Her stories were good
October 12, 2021
Eh, this was okay. A nice introduction to the author.
May 27, 2023
Quick overview of a remarkable woman’s life
This is a simple and quick read, yet discusses the overall life of Louisa May Alcott in an interesting way. Her early life was complex. She was part of a household where her father was an authoritative figure; he was bright but refused to work (he liked to lecture and hold philosophical discussions with well known writers of the day) but felt his community owned him a living—this was not a popular idea in his town—so Louisa, her mother and sisters had to constantly find work to keep the family going. Yet her parents were ardent abolitionists and supported women’s right for their daughters. This made an impression on Louisa during her life. Due to possible mercury poisoning to cure an illness she contracted as a nurse during the Civil War, she suffered from ill health much of her later life. A brief overview of her various published works is given. This is not by any means a scholarly work, but for someone who wants a good, general overview of Louisa May Alcott’s life, it is a good beginning.
This is a simple and quick read, yet discusses the overall life of Louisa May Alcott in an interesting way. Her early life was complex. She was part of a household where her father was an authoritative figure; he was bright but refused to work (he liked to lecture and hold philosophical discussions with well known writers of the day) but felt his community owned him a living—this was not a popular idea in his town—so Louisa, her mother and sisters had to constantly find work to keep the family going. Yet her parents were ardent abolitionists and supported women’s right for their daughters. This made an impression on Louisa during her life. Due to possible mercury poisoning to cure an illness she contracted as a nurse during the Civil War, she suffered from ill health much of her later life. A brief overview of her various published works is given. This is not by any means a scholarly work, but for someone who wants a good, general overview of Louisa May Alcott’s life, it is a good beginning.
October 4, 2023
Even though the information is good, it’s not well organized.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews