Ever wonder about the woman who inspired the character of Meg March? About Meg In Little Women, Meg is the oldest of the March sisters and in all respects, the most mainstream member of the family. She is pretty, dutiful and virtuous, almost old for her age. Meg’s major flaw is her yearning for material …
Why is Louisa’s voice so powerful in my life? A childhood recollection
It’s been slow at work the last couple of days so I’ve been able to indulge in reading and research (one of the best perks of my job). It gave me a chance to revisit one of the first biographies I read on Louisa, Louisa May Alcott by Katharine Anthony. Published in 1937, it was …
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At a crossroads – here’s where you come in
I need your help. I'm stuck. I can't figure where next to take this blog and I could use your suggestions. Which direction should this blog go next? What road do you want this blog to take? source “(C) by http://www.martin-liebermann.de” What are you eager to learn more about? Post your suggestions and I will consider …
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The art of conversation, Bronson-style
Through his illustrious life, Bronson Alcott used many means to preach and teach his unique message of transcendentalism. In the early part of his career he used his gifts as a teacher to educate the young through the art of conversation (see previous post). As he believed the Divine resided in each child, he sought …
A late Christmas gift – I got the Nook tablet!
Woo hoo, "Little Christmas" (aka feast of the Epiphany) is here and I am thrilled to have acquired a Nook tablet! It's just about everything I wanted and more. And what did I want? An e-reader that was the size of a book instead of the size of a phone An e-reader that could accommodate …
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Book Review: Louisa May Alcott Her Girlhood Diary
Since a children's biography (The Story of Louisa May Alcott by Joan Howard) introduced me to Louisa, I have a special fondness for children's books on the subject. During a recent trip to the Worcester Public Library, I discovered Louisa May Alcott Her Girlhood Diary, edited by Cary Ryan with illustrations by Mark Graham. It …
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Finding an ally and a lifelong partner: Bronson Alcott, part 4 (reflections on Eden’s Outcasts)
Part 4 of a series on Bronson Alcott: his rise, fall and redemption, based on reflections from John Matteson’s biography Eden’s Outcasts: The Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Father If you want to refresh your memory on previous posts in this series, here are the links: Read Part One here Read Part Two here …
Birth of a visionary educator: Bronson Alcott, part 3 (reflections on Eden’s Outcasts)
Part 3 of a series on Bronson Alcott: his rise, fall and redemption, based on reflections from John Matteson's biography Eden’s Outcasts: The Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Father If you want to refresh your memory on previous posts in this series, here are the links: Read Part One here Read Part Two here …
Finding his mission: Bronson Alcott, part 2 (reflections on Eden’s Outcasts)
How did a remote and poor farm boy evolve into a visionary educator? This is one of the great questions regarding Bronson Alcott for which I wanted answers. John Matteson in Eden’s Outcasts: The Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Father provides some interesting insight. In the beginning In the first chapter Matteson traces …
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The rise, fall and redemption of Bronson Alcott, part 1 (reflections on Eden’s Outcasts)
Eden’s Outcasts: The Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Father by John Matteson has to be one of the most elegant and thoughtful books I have ever read. Matteson is the first Alcott biographer who truly seems to understand the spiritual life and that insight produces a deeper and different view of Bronson Alcott. …
Louisa May Alcott is My Passion 