Invincible Louisa is the story of Louisa May Alcott, her parents, and her three sisters. Her parents' sense of morality strongly affects Louisa. As a child, she gives food away to hungry children, and at one point an adult, not understanding Louisa's upbringing, reprimands her for this.

Louisa's most outstanding character traits are her courage and determination. An indefatigable worker, she takes pride in her accomplishments. This attitude influences many of her decisions: to remain employed as a caretaker for an invalid woman, even though the position has been misrepresented; to continue stoically at the military hospital, where conditions are deplorable and the nurses are overworked; and to persevere with her writing despite early criticism.

Eventually, the success of Little Women allows her to realize her dream of providing financial security for her parents and opportunities for her sisters.

Unlike most women of the...