#1 NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, AND BOSTON GLOBE BESTSELLER • One of the most acclaimed books of our time: an unforgettable memoir about a young woman who, kept out of school, leaves her survivalist family and goes on to earn a PhD from Cambridge University “An amazing story, and truly inspiring. It’s even better than you’ve heard.”—Bill Gates NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW • ONE OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA’S FAVORITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR • BILL GATES’S HOLIDAY READING LIST • FINALIST: National Book Critics Circle’s Award In Autobiography and John Leonard Prize For Best First Book • PEN/Jean Stein Book Award • Los Angeles Times Book Prize Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, Tara Westover was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom. Her family was so isolated from mainstream society that there was no one to ensure the children received an education, and no one to intervene when one of Tara’s older brothers became violent. When another brother got himself into college, Tara decided to try a new kind of life. Her quest for knowledge transformed her, taking her over oceans and across continents, to Harvard and to Cambridge University. Only then would she wonder if she’d traveled too far, if there was still a way home.
“Beautiful and propulsive . . . Despite the singularity of [Westover’s] childhood, the questions her book poses are universal: How much of ourselves should we give to those we love? And how much must we betray them to grow up?”—VogueNAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Washington Post • O: The Oprah Magazine • Time • NPR • Good Morning America • San Francisco Chronicle • The Guardian • The Economist • Financial Times • Newsday • New York Post • theSkimm • Refinery29 • Bloomberg • Self • Real Simple • Town & Country • Bustle • Paste • Publishers Weekly • Library Journal • LibraryReads • BookRiot • Pamela Paul, KQED • New York Public LibraryIn the captivating memoir, "Educated: A Memoir," Tara Westover recounts her extraordinary journey of self-discovery and resilience amidst an unconventional upbringing. Born to survivalist parents in the remote mountains of Idaho, Tara's childhood was marked by extreme isolation and a lack of formal education. She and her siblings were raised in a household that rejected modern medicine, government interference, and traditional schooling.
As Tara grew older, her curiosity and thirst for knowledge led her to secretly pursue an education. She taught herself mathematics, science, and literature, eventually earning a place at Brigham Young University. This decision sparked conflict within her family, who viewed her pursuit of higher education as a betrayal of their beliefs. Tara's determination to break free from the constraints of her upbringing and seek a life of her own making is nothing short of inspiring.
Tara's story sheds light on the importance of access to education and the transformative power of knowledge. Her memoir is a poignant reflection on the complexities of familial relationships, the resilience of the human spirit, and the pursuit of self-actualization against all odds. "Educated" is a compelling read that challenges societal norms and celebrates the indomitable spirit of those who dare to break free from the confines of their circumstances.
