What we know today as "Little Women" was originally two books: "Little Women" and "Good Wives." Here both books are included, as well as the next in the series, "Little Men."

In "Little Women" when we first meet the family, they are very poor and Mr. March is far away in the army. Meg, the eldest, is sixteen when the story begins. Jo is fifteen, 'tall, thin and brown,' her hair is her one beauty. Beth, at thirteen, is shy and peaceful, rarely disturbed, while Amy, the youngest, is rather vain, and, in her own opinion, 'a most important person.' As the story develops we enjoy reading about the way the girls enjoy their lives in spite of their poverty; they meet 'the boy next door', who becomes a great friend, and his tutor Mr. Brooke.

"Good Wives" begins with a wedding, the war is over, and the March family has changed, but is still together. By the end of this book we have seen Meg coping with her own home and the birth of her children. Jo has been to New York where she meets professor Bhaer. Amy, too, marries.

"Little Men" shows how the girls' families develop, how their lives change and how, in particular, Jo and her professor have their hearts' desire and run 'Plumfield', the boys' school where we meet Nat, Dan and many other characters.

*(Note: If you want to read further, "Jo's Boys" is the last in the series, coming after "Little Men.")*