After her first literary success with Hospital Sketches’ based on her experiences in the Civil War’ and a secret career writing rubbishy novels to contribute to the family income’ Louisa May Alcott-s publisher requested a girl-s book. She grudgingly complied with this semiautobiographical novel of four sisters and their beloved Marmee keeping a home with their father away at war - producing an enduring classic that has captivated generations of readers.