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)
" 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" 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" 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" 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" 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" 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" WOW!! inspiring! "
— Autumn, 12/12/2013" Great Book! Very inspiring as to how anyone can make it if they're willing to face adversity and persevere. "
— Tim, 10/17/2013" 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" Loved this book! Father was a hard working man who had his daughters's interest at hand. "
— Ashley-Dior, 9/14/2013" 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" a good story about the families success, but it was long and drawn out. "
— Lachelle, 8/11/2013" 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" Good parenting book. "
— Opal, 6/26/2013" Everyone should read this, especially parents "
— Odumnobles, 5/21/2013" 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" 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" I enjoyed reading how well these girls succeeded. "
— Sarah, 9/12/2012" i read this for book club, it was a good success story. "
— Nora, 9/6/2012" 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" Great true story about a father who pushed his daughters to succeed. "
— Donna, 8/14/2012" Not the book of the year by any means, but very interesting and inspirational. "
— Jenny, 8/8/2012" Very impressive family. Their parenting skills were so unique one wonders if their "system" could work in most families! "
— Jean, 7/6/2012" Susan, I love this book too! "
— Lisa, 2/22/2012" 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" 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" 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" Excellent empowering book. Good easy read. "
— Marie, 4/27/2011" Inspiring story every girl should read. . . "
— Tamara, 3/2/2011" 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" Listened to audio book. Very inspirational. A good book for young adults. "
— Deb, 9/5/2010" 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" Really great book - should be read by ALL parents! "
— Brenda, 8/9/2010" 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" 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" Very impressive family. Their parenting skills were so unique one wonders if their "system" could work in most families! "
— Jean, 5/10/2010" I enjoyed reading how well these girls succeeded. "
— Sarah, 3/9/2010" Loved this book! Father was a hard working man who had his daughters's interest at hand. "
— Ashley-Dior, 2/14/2010" 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" Everyone should read this, especially parents "
— Odumnobles, 8/29/2009" Had to read it at BYU and it was actually a really good book. "
— Quentin, 7/10/2009Jo 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.