#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 “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 … 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
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I did not want this novel to end. I really enjoyed this novel, much more than I had anticipated. I knew that this novel was very popular but other than that, I went blindly into this novel and I’m glad I did.
This novel is a memoir about a family, living in Idaho, that is sure to capture your attention. A survivalist, the father rejects the government and anything to do with any one of its organized branches. No doctors, no schools, and no documentation. As I listened to this audio, I could feel the anger and the frustration that the father had for the world around him. I could feel the superiority that he felt, as he stockpiled his supplies and he talked about his neighbors. He felt untouchable.
Mother was a midwife and later, she became a healer as she began mixing potions of herbs and other natural ingredients together at home. I was amazed how often this family was injured as I listened to this novel. These injuries were not minor either, these injuries were serious and for mother to be a healer, I was glad that at least her skills were utilized. I liked seeing how this family lived and how their life was over the years.
This was a powerful novel. I recommend the audio of this novel, for I feel that Julia Whelan did an excellent job.
This particular book always kept me wanting to read more!
Very good read. Interesting view of a different way of life.
Educated by Tara Westover will stay with me for a long time.
One of the best books I’ve read.
In many ways, this was a tough read but ultimately an uplifting one. Billed as a memoir about an unschooled child raised by survivalists, I found it more a story about a child’s struggles to survive a parent’s mental illness. What happens when your goals conflict with your family’s and with how you were raised? The author’s drive, against the odds, makes this an inspiring read.
I had bought an audio version of this book. Listening to this memoire is eye-opening and shocking. At the same time it is also emotional and thought provoking. One of the best books I have listened to in years.
This is a story of a young woman who managed to get out of a household that was controlling and sick. How she did it is absolutely amazing.
When preppers go overboard you get Tara Westover’s family. They were so afraid of the government the kids were kept from school and some of them were never registered for a birth certificate. Tara grows up in strange and abusive conditions but as she grows older, she makes up her own mind about how she wants to live. The result is a shakeup of her family that may keep her alienated from them for the rest of her life.
A worthwhile and fascinating read.
Best non fiction ever.
This book has been highly touted and the raves are well merited. Treatment of mental illness, religious extremism, clash between cultures make this a world issue, not just an American one.
This true story is an account of the author’s life that is both gripping and horrifying. Her escape from her family is amazing and courageous. Her subsequent accomplishments are remarkable. This is a unique piece of writing that presents grim personal experience in a suspenseful and well-written biography.
An extremely well written and surprisingly non judgemental memoir of growing up in a very radical family .The author’s ability to find herself againced terrific odds is a remarkable journey ..
One of the best. A memoir that every one should read.
Amazing story and inspirational. It says no matter what your circumstances you can survive and move forward with spirit and skill and determination. You can still love someone but know you can no longer be around them or let them control any part of your life.
A must read. I was fortunate to meet the author and hear her speak. Amazing!
Takes you into the paranoid world of the anti-everything-government. A marvel that the author was able to educate herself to leave and and move on from this warped world
Excellent writing
Inspiring true story
It’s the fascinating memoir of girlhood in an strange type of fundamentalist home. How she finds her way through education to a better life.
More than “just” a memoir, Educated is a true work of literary art that captures the essence of what it is to grow up isolated in an abusive, dystopian reality, and ultimately to break free into the much broader world beyond. It’s hard for me to find books like this that I simply can’t put down. I’m so glad that this one came into my life.