Louisa May Alcott: A Biography [Paperback]

Madeleine B. Stern (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 26, 1999

Madeleine B. Stern, one of the world's leading Alcott scholars, shows how the breadth of Alcott's work, ranging from Little Women to sensational thrillers and war stories, serves as a reflection of a fascinating and complicated life dotted with poverty and riches alike, hard menial work, physical suffering relieved by opiates, and the acclaim of literary success.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book contains all the reader could possibly wish to know about Louisa May Alcott. It will stand for a long time--perhaps permanently--as the authoritative book in its field." --Chicago Tribune

From the Inside Flap

First published in 1950, this biography by one of the world's leading authority on the subject remains the standard work on Louisa May Alcott. Stern shows how the breadth of Alcott's work serves as a reflection of a life dotted with poverty and riches alike, and shows the whole Alcott--a fascinating and complex woman who lived a full and surprisingly modern life. Photos. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 422 pages
• Publisher: Northeastern (August 26, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555534171
• ISBN-13: 978-1555534172
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,292,699 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 19C Style Detracts from BIography by Leading Alcott Scholar, September 21, 2002

By 

"hommedeplume" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Louisa May Alcott (Paperback)

Madeleine Stern was integral in uncovering the "lost" thrillers of Louisa May Alcott, which were published under her pen name A.M.Barnard. Because of her familiarity with Alcott's life and work, I expected a lot more out of the biography than I received. The author's 19C style detracts from the information presented and often leads to confusion on the part of the reader, assuming the reader has familiarity with the vocabulary, customs and diseases of the 19C. The author also mentions characters without bothering to mention their significance. For example "Miss Burnett" is mentioned several times in the biography. What is never mentioned is that "Miss Burnett" is Frances Hodgson Burnett, author of such childhood classics as "A Little Princess" and "The Secret Garden." I felt this book would have been more useful to me had it been written in a more straight forward style and been more educational in its approach not only to the Alcott in particular, but to the 19C in general.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive and Indispensable Biography, April 24, 2009

By 

K. H. Eckard "Kurt H. Eckard" (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Louisa May Alcott: A Biography (Paperback)

Originally published in 1950, Madeleine B. Stern captured not only the facts but the very spirit of Louisa May's remarkable life. Alcott enthusiasts will find this the definitive and indispensable work in its field. The research, documentation, and references are painstakingly thorough. No important aspect is omitted. The cover is graced with the beautiful photo of Louisa May taken at age 25, many years before she penned her immortal "Little Women." Simply put, the book is wonderful.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Long but informative, December 11, 2006

By 

Laurie "Lauran" (Mississippi, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Louisa May Alcott: A Biography (Paperback)

If you are looking for a quick read on LMA life then this is not the book for you. But if you need to write a big report or you are just looking for a good informative book on her life, buy this biography. It is very informative and personal about the author. You would almost think you lived with Louisa May Alcott with all the details given in this book.