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Summary: This book is a classic!
Review: After seeing the television movie, I decided to read the book. The movie is fine, but it does not capture the true meaning of this fabulous book about overcoming obstacles and succeeding when every one says you can't. This book should be read by every middle school student and their parents. It is a great parenting book.
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Summary: a success story of 5 women with the most remarkable parents
Review: An inspiring yet heartwarming book......It teaches you that when you have will and determination, you can do anything, whether you're white or black. I strongly recomend this book.
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Summary: A dad you love to hate and hate to love....
Review: As a book reviewer I get several books to read, review, and sometimes return. Some of these books are so good I do not want to return them. Ditchdigger's Daughters is one of those books. When I first picked this book up, I was feeling a little defeated and exasperated about my job. This book gave me Donald Thornton wisdom to be the best, never mind that my colleagues are faster and younger. As Donald Thornton would say find the brightest rabbit, catch up to him/her, and pass him. Donald Thornton passed away in 1993. What he left behind for his daughters to peruse is his wit and wisdom. Still today, I bet his daughters have every lesson stored so they can pass it on to their children. He had no education but somehow he raised six girls to become accomplished black women. He used resources within himself that some people would never think of. To finance his children's education they each paid for the other, with the proceeds from their band. The band was called the Thornettes and later changed to the Thornton Sisters, they played for students at Princeton and various other Colleges. Donald Thornton's six splits as family and friends affectionately called him and his girls went on to become more than what anyone expected of them. Betty became a nurse, Linda a dentist, Rita is the head of the science department in a private school, the author of The Ditchdigger's Daughters Yvonne, is an OB/GYN, Donna is a court stenographer and Jeanette has a doctorate in counseling psychology. Their story is not so much about what they have become but how they got there. The Ditchdigger's Daughters will astound and amaze you. You will think twice before you express what you cannot do in your personal life. The history in this book was wonderful and it was a quick read. Thornton Ladies, I am sure your mother is happy that her wish has come true, to have her family's story told in a book that is in the library. What a hidden treasure, The Ditchdigger's Daughter is a must read. Missy
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Summary: Author Bio
Review: Donald Thornton's daughter, Dr. Yvonne S. Thornton, is director of The Perinatal Diagnostic Testing Center at Morristown (NJ) Memorial Hospital, and an associate physician at Rockefeller University Hospital. Dr. Thornton lives in Teaneck, New Jersey. Jo Coudert is a playwright and the author of four other books, including Advice from a Failure and Go Well, the Story of a House. She lives in Califon, New Jersey.
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Summary: Annotation
Review: From the tenements of East Hudson to the footlights of the Apollo Theatre to the halls of an Ivy League medical school, Dr. Thornton has written a family biography that is a modern Horatio Alger saga.
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Summary: Very Enjoyable
Review: I am a 59 year old, white male who is legally blind. I received the book as an automatic computer selection on "Talking Books" for the blind. I almost sent it back but didn't and it is tremendious. The way that Donald Thronton guided his five girls toward a better life, speaks of a very special person. The way that the girls drove themselves, speaks of very special people. I'm a former teacher and I wish that I could get every girl in our county's 35-40 middle and high schools to read it. They could learn from it but every adult will enjoy it.
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Summary: Energizer Bunny
Review: I have been following this book with much interest over the past eight years and it has become a true classic with respect to overcoming obstacles and focusing on your goals. Mr. and Mrs. Thornton are true heroes. This book is required reading in many of our schools and universities. The message of giving your children a "work ethic" is something that more of us should do today. The book is an inspiration to us all.
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Summary: Terrific and inspiring!
Review: I laughed, I cried, and I cheered while listening to "The Ditchdigger's Daughters". While my circumstances are quite different from Yvonne Thornton's, I needed to hear the "stick-to-it, you-can-do-it" attitude that emanates from her book. During the time I was listening to the book, I made the decision to leave my job and be with my baby. Listening to the book helped give me the determination to do it. Dr. Thornton's story is an example of what someone can do if they set their minds to it. And I admire the fact that their parents didn't let them get away with anything! Three cheers for the Thornton Sisters!
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Summary: Inspiring, touching, joyful book.
Review: I listened to this book on unabridged audio on the recommendation of a clerk at an audio book store. Since it's not the type of book I would normally pick up (I like thrillers), I had my doubts. But I am so glad to have read this book. I fell for this family in a big way, and laughed and cried and cheered for their accomplishments. These are people who never let a set-back stop them, and never waste time making excuses for themselves, but just get out there and work as hard as they can to achieve their goals. The Thornton's are a special family, and I can't help but feel America is a better place for Donald and Itasker Thornton's having lived and raised their wonderful family here. We all have something to learn from Donald Thornton's insights, drive and decency, and I am busily recommending this book to anyone who will listen.
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Summary: Good story, ignorant author
Review: I read this book a very long time ago. I do remember that the basic story was good, but it was unfortunately spoilt by the continuous display of ignorance by the author. A couple of things that stand out in my memory are things like her reference to her PHD holding sister as not a real doctor. How dumb can you be-the PHD is the highest possible degree that can be bestowed on a person, yet it seemed like she was demeaning her sister's credentials. I remember her also talking about moving into a house that had been destroyed by the "third world" people that had been the previous inhabitants. At that point and also at the point where she voiced being embarassed by her sister's african getup, I realized that this was an incredibly narrow minded and ignorant person. Ditto when she talked about the other graduates being jealous of the medical graduates saying the hippocratic oath. This was so blatantly ignorant-Dr. Thornton, lawyers take an oath as well, just not at graduation, but on swearing in. The looks you mistook for jealousy were probably looks of hurry up. Generally speaking this woman spoiled what could have been a delightful and inspirational piece, with nonsensical rambling. Sadly it just serves to show that no matter what you achieve in life, your background always shines right through. I guess mom was right, money can't buy you class.
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