Buy new:
-40% $15.00
FREE delivery Sunday, May 19 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Ships from: Amazon
Sold by: bookwormmm
$15.00 with 40 percent savings
List Price: $24.95

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Sunday, May 19 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Saturday, May 18. Order within 6 hrs 3 mins
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$15.00 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$15.00
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon
Ships from
Amazon
Sold by
bookwormmm
Sold by
bookwormmm
Returns
30-day easy returns
30-day easy returns
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
30-day easy returns
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$6.99
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
Minor dust cover wear Binding is tight. Pages are crisp and clean. SHIPS DIRECTLY FROM AMAZON with delivery tracking number. No-hassle return policy. Your satisfaction is guaranteed. Minor dust cover wear Binding is tight. Pages are crisp and clean. SHIPS DIRECTLY FROM AMAZON with delivery tracking number. No-hassle return policy. Your satisfaction is guaranteed. See less
FREE delivery Tuesday, May 21 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
$$15.00 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$15.00
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Eustacia Cutler
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

A Thorn in My Pocket: Temple Grandin's Mother Tells the Family Story Hardcover – October 1, 2004

by Eustacia Cutler (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 186 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$15.00","priceAmount":15.00,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"15","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"00","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"S%2Bul3ymOakVpQ%2FWj32pwxZn9SeCDjxntYVYw86sZdyWRmFIuUOUdTv637LSvT0ojWR4S0hBvaEeL3amBpz1jGlVdmFObbckuX1LlaFoqLJmYarZzkBuQCD3oN%2BxGZMQJdQz0h1RWxNhLWFH%2B4HIm%2BKOdnMltaufh5PbtEUUioj1vQ9pHMDO7IlP6s6D3OViF","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$6.99","priceAmount":6.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"6","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"S%2Bul3ymOakVpQ%2FWj32pwxZn9SeCDjxntRZ08MVbzD5RNX7RmDgKScK67K9bYA9qcgvDx7rZsxacvbtZYPogi%2B5KHlMpoVtpevUQaySsMZUcJJqBwSOeol%2Bc%2F98PlAM2%2FQzdKMDXZ2BWFVxAl6UltmC1OX3MGmeQId%2BqAbl9fwIFdvFvrKvqSfJCRG2wxlsk%2B","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

A Thorn in My Pocket is Eustacia Cutler's story of raising her daughter, Temple Grandin, in the conservative Leave-it-to-Beaver world of the fifties, a time when children with autism were routinely diagnosed as infant schizophrenics and banished to institutions. 


She tells of her fight to keep Temple in the mainstream of family, community, and school life, how Temple responded and went on to succeed, as Ms. Cutler puts it, beyond my wildest dreams. Ms. Cutler also explores the nature of the autism disorder as doctors understand it today, and how its predominant characteristics reflect our own traits in an exaggerated form. 


Insightful chapters include: 

And Baby Makes Three 

As the Twig Is Bent 

Childhood 

The Separate Worlds Begin 

Things Fall Apart And Start All Over Again 

The End of Childhood 

Then What Happened? 

Looking for the Source 

The Legacy of Genes 

What It Means to Be Human

Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Print length
    228 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Future Horizons
  4. Publication date
    October 1, 2004
  5. Dimensions
    6.36 x 0.85 x 9.24 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1932565167
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1932565164
  8. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Frequently bought together

A Thorn in My Pocket: Temple Grandin's Mother Tells the Family Story
$14.86
Get it as soon as Wednesday, May 22
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Sold by ASELStore and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.
+
Thinking in Pictures, Expanded Edition: My Life with Autism
$10.99
Get it as soon as Sunday, May 19
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
One of these items ships sooner than the other.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“I laughed, I cried, I was shocked and amazed. Her story is one that will stay with me especially on the days I have trouble with my child.”



 

About the Author

A talented playwright, author and actress and mother of four, Eustacia Cutler is a graduate of Harvard University with a degree in English literature. Her daughter Temple Grandin is Associate Professor of Animal Science, Colorado State University, and author of Animals in Translation.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Future Horizons; 1st edition (October 1, 2004)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 228 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1932565167
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1932565164
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.15 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.36 x 0.85 x 9.24 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 186 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Eustacia Cutler

Eustacia Cutler

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
186 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Jean Ann Morris
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, erudite writing; totally engrossing; emotionally gratifying
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2013
Verified Purchase
Temple Grandin's mother tells the story that fills in the details that were necessarily left out of the movie: "Temple Grandin." I loved the movie; am enthralled with Temple's story and success; so gratified that Eustacia was finally vindicated for her selfless goal for Temple to be all that she could be, and she is awesome! Last semester we showed the video to our 5th graders as an amazing testimony to perseverance, both of Temple and her mother. I love that it affirms that the world needs people with autism to make it a better place.
4 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Mary H. Fagerson
5.0 out of 5 stars By a mother of an autistic child
Reviewed in the United States on November 22, 2013
Verified Purchase
This is a very useful book by a mother an autistic child describing her experience and all the troubles she encountered trying to be sure her daughter, Temple Grandin, got the proper education. Temple went to college and graduate school for a PhD in animal science. Temple has written has written many books on what it is like to be autistic. Her mother's story is very moving and informative. She also describes the difficulties her husband had accepting the autism and his daughter. The author goes on describing her own life in singing and drama and ultimately in lecturing about autism.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Laurie Horrocks
4.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing and helpful
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2016
Verified Purchase
I thought it was very intriguing. I have been very interested in how Mrs. Grandin raised Temple, but she did have someone to help her watch the children too. Some of the book is about her own outlet and how she coped, and I would have preferred to have read less of that and more on how she made a difference in Temple's life and vice versa.She did say some things that I thought were of great value and admire her for not just dumping Temple in an institution. We owe a lot to her and to her daughter Temple.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Robert Graboyes
5.0 out of 5 stars A Tremendously Visual Work
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2021
Verified Purchase
Recently, I had the great honor of two public conversations with Temple Grandin—one focused primarily on her own visual thinking. In this moving history of a family, Temple’s mother shows herself to be a master of translating visual imagery into words. Her childhood memory of exploring an abandoned house; her description of a mental institution she visited while producing a documentary; her account of the chaotic antics of her bird, cat, and dog. And all the stories inform us of what it it means to have a life and what it means to be human.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
SKT
5.0 out of 5 stars Got It!
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2023
Verified Purchase
The book I ordered came promptly when promised and it was the correct book. :)
Helpful
 Report
Regina Phalange
3.0 out of 5 stars Worth a read if the subject interests you
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2018
Verified Purchase
I love autobiographical stories and I love the movie “Temple Grandin”. Having two young children with autism, I was intrigued to hear her mom’s perspective on raising a child with autism. While most of her story is interesting and fascinating, I would have to agree with what her ex-husband said about her: she seems to be overly concerned with trying to impress people with her intelligence. Yes, she’s a smart woman; yes, she’s educated; yes, she loves the fine arts, etc. but it gets to be a little annoying at times. She sometimes seems like a typical “rich snob” looking down her nose at other people. Hopefully she’s not like that in real life. I’m not too particularly fond of people who care too much about what others think of them. I usually keep all the books I’ve read in case I want to read them again or pass them on to a loved one who might enjoy it, but this one I donated to the library.
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Stacy and Jeffrey Gall
5.0 out of 5 stars FInally, some Validation for Mom with Special Needs Kids
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2010
Verified Purchase
What a great book this is. She gives every detail of her journey and it really validated my feeling that I thought "only have" and the frustration and tears I thought "only I had" and the hope she brings and her very encouraging words. Absolutley love reading this book. It's very hard to put it down. Thanks Mrs. Grandin, for the gift of your journey you shared with us. It means the world to me. Now I don't feel alone anymore. Hugs to you my dear, Stacy Gall
3 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
rosemary whitehead
5.0 out of 5 stars A mother chooses to learn to love her child. The world has never been the same.
Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2019
Verified Purchase
This tells the story of change, of transition in the way we view the children who do not meet our expectations. Parents and legal systems have the ability to 'institutionalize' non-conforming children, and declare the parent or guardian who protests to also be insane. Written by a mother questioning this system at great personal cost, it is also the story of the role professional people play in creating 'mental illness' simply in holding power to define the terms.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
ERICK R.
5.0 out of 5 stars Super!
Reviewed in Mexico on December 27, 2019
Verified Purchase
Tal cual lo que esperaba.
Report
Dr Chirantan
5.0 out of 5 stars Hates of to Temple
Reviewed in India on March 4, 2018
Verified Purchase
Must read for all parents of autistic children.
Report
SylviaKatharina
5.0 out of 5 stars A positive attitude towards autism & Asperger
Reviewed in Japan on August 23, 2019
Verified Purchase
An amazing book by an amazing woman. Ms Cutler tells us about all the trials she had to face with her oldest daughter, how she found out that there was something weird about her. She tells us thruthfully how unkind people around Temple sometimes were, and how they preferred to look away, rather than help her.
It is a book that gives hope to people in despair because someone in their family acts strange, and is diagnosed with autism or Asperger. I would recommend it to teachers, too.
One person found this helpful
 Report
Cody
5.0 out of 5 stars An intimate peek at a mother's journey
Reviewed in Canada on October 6, 2013
Verified Purchase
Written in an intimate narrative style, this book doesn't offer solutions but hope & community. It helped me to look for more solutions with my own child who has been cleared for autism but has many of the same challenges as if she had it. We have so many more resources available now than when this story took place, but we are still challenged. I recommend this book to any parent who feels like they are lost in the sea of diagnoses, who wants a heartfelt down-to-earth. "Fiction-feel" book to balance out all the self-help practice-heavy (necessary) reading they are already doing as an encouragement to keep at it -- even if every child can't have Temple's ending.
2 people found this helpful
 Report
anna michel
5.0 out of 5 stars amazing read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 16, 2012
Verified Purchase
an extraordinarily moving account. If you've heard of Temple Grandin, a must read, if you haven't, read it anyway. I never cease to be amazed at the strength some people find to fight for their children. The world would have been a poorer place if Eustacia cutler hadn't fought for Temple Grandin.
4 people found this helpful
 Report