Book Review

Childhood of Famous Americans: Louisa May Alcott

Up to this point, I have been basing my writings off the informative historical book Childhood of Famous Americans: Louisa May Alcott. This book gave me an interesting insider's view of the famous writer's life. It was easy to read, and captivating! It had me up all night trying to finish it! The author, Beatrice Gormley, used facts in her writing, and put them into a format that made the story of Ms. Alcott's childhood fascinating. I would most defiantly read more books by this author. The book was copy-righted in 1999, and published by Aladdin Paperbacks. Louisa May Alcott was an amazing writer, and an even better person, but I would not had such a great understanding of her life if it wasn't for this book.

A Wounded Solider

I received another letter yesterday, this time from a soldier I had nursed during the war. Most of my time now is spent receiving and answering letters. This particular one was thanking me for the care I had given him during the war. They all seem to remember my name. I don't like to brag, but it's hard not to when you get a thank-you letter! He wrote that he was doing much better, and had almost fully recovered from his wound! It is very exciting to hear of accomplishments like that. It feels wonderful to know I helped so many people!

Illnesses

I have had many illnesses in my short years. Most of them acquired by my mother, as she was always helping the poor. She thought that she could help them all, but gave up after a few years. Nevertheless, she still made herself and her family ill many times. These illnesses were minor, but still kept me from being as active as I would have liked. That is part of the reason I still cannot write for long periods of time. I suppose it is an obstacle in my life, but I try not to remember that.

Childhood

While I am answering questions of the public, I must tell of my childhood. It was mostly a happy one, filled with plays and knowledge. My family were abolitionists, so we housed fugitive slaves occasionally. It was fun to hear their stories! I am the second daughter of four, and was always a tomboy. I hated wearing long stuffy dresses! For a time, we lived in a "new world" or at least a new house. We grew everything and even took cold baths! It was fine until the "followers" decided they'd had enough. That was the end of that!

Right: Louisa May Alcott, born Nov. 29th, 1832, Died March 6th, 1888.

Writing

Now and again I get the question of how I started my writing career. I usually say I always wrote, and that is true, but there is more to it than that. The first time I remember writing was when I was about four and I found my fathers pen and a book with wide margins. I started scribbling nonsense, and when my father found me, instead of punishing me, he taught me to write instead. Years later, to support my family, I sold "Blood and Thunder" stories, with romance and mystery. I then started to write novels, which I am still writing today, including Little Women, and all of its sequels. That is all I did to start writing. Of course, there were people who doubted my ability to write. I brought a story to an editor and was told to stick to my teaching. Ha! How wrong they were!

Lousia May Alcott

Decribed!

I once was sent a letter from a teacher saying she had asked her students to write a paper about the person they admired most. I wasn't sure what this had to do with me, until she wrote that one had chosen me. I was so surprised! As I read on, I realized that the student had done research on me, my birthday, number of siblings, and so on. This student had also described me using his research. It was so cute I had to share it. First, he described me as lively, his reason being that I was in plays as a child and was socially active when I was younger. His next adjective was caring, being that I took care of my family, and was a nurse. The letter was so sweet!

Nursing

Well, I must now tell of my slightly successful attempt at nursing. When I was much younger, there was a very large and exciting war going on. Being the tomboy I am, I wanted to fight, but I had to settle for nursing. After I had sent in my application letter, I started to study Nurse Nightingale's tips and notices. I waited for weeks for that letter to arrive, constantly checking the mail. I needed to support my family! I finally got my letter of acceptance, and was immediately shipped off to the "hospital" that was really only an old train station. Oh, how I enjoyed those first weeks, although there was not enough air. I love to be outdoors and in the woods with the trees. It inspires me. Back to the story. After I had stayed a few weeks there caring for the ill, I got sick myself. I refused to let my roommates tell my parents, as I did not want them to worry, but when I became delirious, they sent a letter by post. I was taken home on the train and cared for by my family. After that experience, I have been constantly weak, and cannot do anything for a long period of time. I must check on Little Louisa now!

Continued

Now, as I was saying earlier, my family was quite poor. We moved around so much, and my father never really had a real job! Of course, at the moment he is touring in Boston, I believe, and is being welcomed quite warmly. Hopefully he can recover there from his recent illness. I am rather turning this "autobiography" into a second diary! No matter, it can't hurt to have more than one. I laugh now, but at one point in my life I was told I could not write! Ha! Next I will write about my near fatal attempt at nursing for the army. That will be the next "chapter"!

My Autobiography

I have decided to write an autobiography of myself so when I die, May's daughter can read about me since she is very little, and I am very old and sickly. I suppose I should start with a basic history of myself. I was born on the 29th day of the eleventh month, in the year of 1832, as the second daughter of Mr. Bronson Alcott and Mrs. Abby May Alcott. Of course, because of all my books and written stories, I am very successful now, but it was not always that way. My family was actually quite poor, and I have spent most of my life paying the bills. Well, I must stop writing for the moment, as I am feeling weak.