This collection of Civil War stories of one of America's most beloved writers, Louisa May Alcott, includes the full text of "Hospital Sketches" - Alcott's fictionalised account of her service as a nurse - and eight dramatic short stories about the personal effects of the war. The historical narrative includes excerpts from her Civil War-era journals, giving a glimpse into how real life inspired fiction, and the insightful introduction emphasises the impact that the Civil War had on Alcott's writings.