Barb R. (babstexas) reviewed The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio : How my mother raised 10 kids on 25 words or less on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
In this book
you will see
a mother's love
through creativity
you will see
a mother's love
through creativity
Nancy S T. (NSTodd303) reviewed The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio : How my mother raised 10 kids on 25 words or less on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
While the blurb on the back of the book describes the book perfectly, I was most impressed by this woman, who after raising 10 kids and sending them all off to college on full scholarships, continued to support her husband while he eventually became a better man. He banked every penny of his pension as she supported him in retirement, and surprised her with a gift of it all, upon his death. It was so much money that she was able to live and travel off the interest and her own pension, and leave the total amount to her kids!
Blurb on the back of the book: "This plucky middle American chronicle, starring an unsinkable, relentlessly resourceful mother and her Madison Avenue-style magic, succeeds on many leels -- as a tale of family spirit triumphing over penury, as a history of mid-century American consumerism, and as a memoir about a woman who was both ahead of her time and unable to escape it." --- The New Yorker
Blurb on the back of the book: "This plucky middle American chronicle, starring an unsinkable, relentlessly resourceful mother and her Madison Avenue-style magic, succeeds on many leels -- as a tale of family spirit triumphing over penury, as a history of mid-century American consumerism, and as a memoir about a woman who was both ahead of her time and unable to escape it." --- The New Yorker
Mel T. reviewed The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio : How my mother raised 10 kids on 25 words or less on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This is an entertaining and true story of a wife and mother of 10 who uses product contests in the 1950s to supplement her family's meager living. An easy but interesting read about a great family.
Lynn B. (windowlady) reviewed The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio : How my mother raised 10 kids on 25 words or less on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
What a great find! I picked this book up at the Salvation Army and loved it! It is the true story of a woman who supported her family of 10 kids by doing what she did best- write jingles or finish a line in 25 words or less. She was a gifted writer and she won many prizes to prove it; two cars, numerous trips, bicycles, toys, kitchen appliances and a boat-load of money- all used to support her family. She was a hero to her kids and a true inspiration to the rest of us.
hickgal - reviewed The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio : How my mother raised 10 kids on 25 words or less on
Helpful Score: 2
Although a lot of this book was heartbreaking it was also funny and touching. The mother was a genius at writing jingles and ad lines. She did what what she did best to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.