Educated: A Memoir
“Extraordinary . . . an act of courage and self-invention.”—The New York Times
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?”—Vogue
NAMED 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 • Book Riot • Pamela Paul, KQED • New York Public Library
In the captivating memoir "Educated," Tara Westover recounts her extraordinary journey from a remote, isolated childhood in rural Idaho to becoming a successful Cambridge-educated historian. Tara's story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of education. Born into a survivalist family, Tara and her siblings were denied formal schooling and access to modern healthcare. Instead, their father, a domineering and controlling figure, taught them a distorted version of history and instilled a deep distrust of the outside world.
Despite the overwhelming odds stacked against her, Tara's innate curiosity and thirst for knowledge led her to secretly pursue an education. She began by reading books hidden away in her family's barn, and eventually, with the help of a kind neighbor, she enrolled in a community college. This marked the beginning of a transformative journey that would take her from the isolated mountains of Idaho to the prestigious halls of Brigham Young University and Cambridge University.
Tara's memoir is a powerful exploration of the themes of family, education, and the search for identity. It sheds light on the importance of critical thinking, the dangers of isolation, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. "Educated" is a must-read for anyone interested in inspiring stories of personal growth and transformation.
Tara Westover's writing style is captivating and evocative, drawing readers into her world with vivid descriptions and raw emotional honesty. She paints a vivid picture of her upbringing, capturing the beauty and harshness of the natural surroundings, the complex dynamics within her family, and the profound impact of her educational journey. "Educated" is a powerful reminder of the importance of education and the transformative power of knowledge.
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