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The Ditchdiggers Daughters: A Black Familys Astonishing Success Story Audiobook, by Yvonne S. Thornton Play Audiobook Sample

The Ditchdigger's Daughters: A Black Family's Astonishing Success Story Audiobook

The Ditchdiggers Daughters: A Black Familys Astonishing Success Story Audiobook, by Yvonne S. Thornton Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Fran L. Washington Publisher: Brilliance Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 6.17 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.63 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: March 2008 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781423353898

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

16

Longest Chapter Length:

43:03 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

26:26 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

34:58 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

1

Publisher Description

Donald Thornton was a ditchdigger who wanted more for his six daughters, saying: "I love you better than I love life," he assured his children. "But I'm not always gonna be around to look after you, and no man's gonna come along and offer to take care of you because you ain't light-skinned. That's why you gotta be able to look after yourselves. And for that you gotta be smart." Donald decided to do the grandest thing he could think of: force them to make a success of their lives. Along with their mother, Tass, he cajoled and inspired the girls to succeed while working two full-time jobs to keep them properly fed and clothed. All six became successful, independent, accomplished women: two of his six daughters became doctors, one became a dentist, one a lawyer, one a nurse, and one a court stenographer. The Ditchdigger's Daughters is the inspirational story of a family with a strong role model who set family values about all else. Donald's persuasive common sense, folk wisdom and right-on insights gave them the skills they would need to overcome obstacles in their paths to success.

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"I keep going back and forth between 4 and 3 1/2 stars. I loved the first 3/4ths of the story the most. There are many great bits of wisdom from her dad that I want to re-read. I only wished that she could have related the story of her own marriage and having children with the same depth that the rest of the story seemed to have. All of the things that I thought should have been most gratifying in her life, like marriage and motherhood, seemed to be skimmed over and rushed through as she perservered towards her ultimate goal of becoming a doctor. But I guess that's just her life's unique story. She has had to sacrafice a lot to get to where she is (including the time to savor these moments maybe?). It still was a very inspring read."

— Tina (4 out of 5 stars)

The Ditchdigger's Daughters Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.2439024390243905 out of 54.2439024390243905 out of 54.2439024390243905 out of 54.2439024390243905 out of 54.2439024390243905 out of 5 (4.24)
5 Stars: 16
4 Stars: 19
3 Stars: 6
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
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  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I just love biographies and this was so well written and was so interesting. Reminds me just to keep trying harder each day and not let things stop me. Would recommend this book to anyone. "

    — Katrina, 2/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was an interesting read. It caused me to look at life from a different perspective, which is always a goal when I read, and it was accomplished well. It also made for some interesting discussion in my book club. "

    — Stacie, 1/31/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is one of my favorite books, ever. It is an incredibly inspiring autobiography of a black woman who became a doctor despite incredible odds (I think in the 60's or 70's). Her father did not finish high school; her mother went to college but wasn't able to finish since they wouldn't let her continue work-study her senior year. If you are trying to accomplish something that seems out of your grasp, read this book, and be inspired :) "

    — Tiffany, 1/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book was a great read. I read it quite a few years ago, but remember how moved I was with this man and his family. "

    — Annette, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " An amazing story of uneducated parents (a ditchdigger and cleaning woman) who raised 5 very talented, educated and accomplished daughters. Interesting to see how they did it. "

    — Colleen, 12/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Amazingly inspirational - the adversity this family faced (and in particular the narrator) and the way they overcame it was awe inspiring. Although I am glad I grew up with parents who were not this strict, I can see how it worked for them. And I loved the bits about the Thornton Sisters! "

    — Ruth, 12/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " WOW!! inspiring! "

    — Autumn, 12/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great Book! Very inspiring as to how anyone can make it if they're willing to face adversity and persevere. "

    — Tim, 10/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I have actually read this book 2. A black man wants all his daughters to grow up and become docters. It is the story of how they accomplish that. I really liked it. "

    — A, 10/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Loved this book! Father was a hard working man who had his daughters's interest at hand. "

    — Ashley-Dior, 9/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " One of the most honest and inspiring stories that I've ever read. Dr. Thornton writes this adorable story in simplest terms and uses the vernacular that was used by her father as it was spoken by him. Her descriptive writing paints a colorful and lively picture from beginning to end. "

    — Kahlil, 8/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " a good story about the families success, but it was long and drawn out. "

    — Lachelle, 8/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read this because the author is also a P&S graduate. Some of her father's techniques seem drastic, but it's hard to argue with success. "

    — Carola, 7/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Good parenting book. "

    — Opal, 6/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Everyone should read this, especially parents "

    — Odumnobles, 5/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " There were some things I didn't love and parts that dragged a bit, but I loved the message and thought the family was so great, so I gave it a 4. "

    — Kim, 9/28/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I really liked this book. There were lots of great stories and reinforcement about making your life what you want it to be, and with the right support of your family, you can do and be anything. Slightly schmaltzy at the end, but I enjoyed it! "

    — Mary, 9/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I enjoyed reading how well these girls succeeded. "

    — Sarah, 9/12/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " i read this for book club, it was a good success story. "

    — Nora, 9/6/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This has everything. Fantastic story with civil rights issues, gender issues, poverty issues and overcoming difficulty. The most inspiring book I've read and the most underrated book ever. "

    — Danny, 8/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great true story about a father who pushed his daughters to succeed. "

    — Donna, 8/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Not the book of the year by any means, but very interesting and inspirational. "

    — Jenny, 8/8/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very impressive family. Their parenting skills were so unique one wonders if their "system" could work in most families! "

    — Jean, 7/6/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Susan, I love this book too! "

    — Lisa, 2/22/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " What a tribute to a father and mother who believed their daughters could succeed at anything. More people should read this book, they had a unique way of looking at life and figuring out how to make life work for them. "

    — Bobby, 11/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Read this 9 years ago and still remember the story line so I know it was a good book. I highly recommend it. True story. "

    — Lottimerrill, 10/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Memoir. I liked this family so much, with the parents' determination to inspire their daughters to become the best that they can be... that last year when my husband and I went to the Jersey shore, we looked for and found their house! "

    — Jane, 6/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Excellent empowering book. Good easy read. "

    — Marie, 4/27/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Inspiring story every girl should read. . . "

    — Tamara, 3/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Dr. Yvonne S. Thornton tells the story of how her parents -- a manual laborer who worked two eight hour a day jobs and a maid -- raised their six daughters in poverty with the dream of their all becoming doctors. "

    — Meredith, 2/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Listened to audio book. Very inspirational. A good book for young adults. "

    — Deb, 9/5/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Family of five African American girls growing up in 1950-60s are Strongly urged by their father to get an education and become doctors. Along the way, they use their musical ability to help support themselves. <br/> "

    — Donna, 8/26/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Really great book - should be read by ALL parents! "

    — Brenda, 8/9/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Memoir. I liked this family so much, with the parents' determination to inspire their daughters to become the best that they can be... that last year when my husband and I went to the Jersey shore, we looked for and found their house! "

    — Jane, 7/14/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book was a great read. I read it quite a few years ago, but remember how moved I was with this man and his family. "

    — Annette, 7/4/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very impressive family. Their parenting skills were so unique one wonders if their &quot;system&quot; could work in most families! "

    — Jean, 5/10/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I enjoyed reading how well these girls succeeded. "

    — Sarah, 3/9/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Loved this book! Father was a hard working man who had his daughters's interest at hand. "

    — Ashley-Dior, 2/14/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I just love biographies and this was so well written and was so interesting. Reminds me just to keep trying harder each day and not let things stop me. Would recommend this book to anyone. "

    — Katrina, 12/25/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Everyone should read this, especially parents "

    — Odumnobles, 8/29/2009
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Had to read it at BYU and it was actually a really good book. "

    — Quentin, 7/10/2009

About the Authors

Jo Coudert is the author of nine books, including Seven Cats and the Art of Living. A lifelong animal lover, she lives in Califon, New Jersey.