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 ...

Incorporating her father's common sense and folk wisdom, a biography by a New Jersey doctor tells how her parents, who held down multiple jobs and transmitted strong values to their six daughters, inspired them to reach success....