#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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This memoir tells the story of the human will over tremendous odds. Raised by a Mormon survivalist father and compliant mother, Westover grew up in the Idaho wilderness, unschooled and expected to perform extremely hazardous work in her father’s junk yard. Without attending a day’s formal schooling, she managed to test her way into college, and I won’t share the rest, but I hope you read it.
This one did not live up to all the hype for me…often the problem with rave reviews…I enjoyed it but much of it seemed repetitive.
Very phony.
Brilliant. A must read.
Excellent book that lets the reader into a backwoods world known to only a small handful of people. The character development is excellent and the story keeps you on the edge of your seat. A true inspiration, the author shares her life story and leaves you with a feeling that anything can be accomplished with enough determination.
This was a tour de force first book by the author that you cannot stop thinking about after you read it.
Ms Westover’s bio is amazing and inspirational. One of the best books I read last year.
Outstanding true story.
An engrossing, harrowing look at a world few of us can comprehend. Raw, honest, and ultimately redemptive.
Did not like this at all. It seemed very unrealistic.
This has to be one of those books that you are always recommending! I’ve told several to read it. So interesting!
I believe much of it was not true
The mind is a scary thing. A memoir that demonstrates survival instincts at their worst and best. How we interpret and react to situations affects the outcome. We CAN determine our fate.
The life of Tara is incredible. The way she overcomes such horrific events and how she manages to literaly educates herself in search of a better life is truly inspirational. She is a great writer. I really enjoyed this book!
A personal insight into a very mis-understood culture
I would never have imagined that any child experiences life like that in this present time. What an eye opener.
Amazing what goes on in small parts of the USA
Interesting child perspective of a home that is religiously fanatic and dysfunctional. A story of survival!
I thought the book was very good a excellent true story of a young girl who has done so well with little upbringing. I just could not believe all she went thru to become what she is . Wonderful book True story.
I did not find this story shocking like most people.