Educated – Tara Westover Book Review
Educated – Tara Westover Autobiography
Tara Westover was born into a strict and isolated household in rural Idaho, at the foot of a mountain called Buck’s Peak. Her family lived apart from modern society, following her father’s strong belief that the outside world was dangerous and corrupt. They were survivalists, preparing for the “Days of Abomination” — a time her father believed would bring government collapse and chaos. Because of this lifestyle, Tara and her siblings did not go to public school, had no official birth certificates for years, and avoided doctors entirely. Instead, they were taught by their father to distrust authorities and rely only on themselves. Her mother, who worked as a herbal healer and unlicensed midwife, treated all illnesses and injuries with herbs and essential oils. From an early age, Tara’s days were filled with heavy chores and dangerous work in her father’s scrapyard and construction projects. She had no formal lessons in reading, math, or history, learning only bits and pieces from old books lying around. The isolation meant that her understanding of the world was limited to her father’s strict version of truth. While the family’s life was rooted in a sense of loyalty and survival, it was also full of accidents, injuries, and fear. Her father’s refusal to follow safety measures caused serious harm to family members, but no one was taken to a hospital — these events left Tara with vivid memories and a growing awareness that their way of life was not like other families’.
Awakening to the Idea of Education
Although Tara had no formal schooling, her curiosity slowly began to grow, especially after watching one of her older brothers, Tyler, leave home to attend college. Tyler’s departure was like a spark that lit a fire in her mind — it showed her that there was another way to live. She started to imagine a life beyond the mountain and the family’s rules. Secretly, Tara began to teach herself mathematics, grammar, and science using whatever books she could find. The process was difficult because she had never been taught how to study properly, but her determination pushed her forward. She learned about the ACT, a test required for college admission, and decided she would try to pass it even without formal education. This dream was not supported by her father, who saw college as dangerous and unnecessary for a woman. Her mother offered little encouragement, torn between wanting to support her daughter and fearing her husband’s anger. At home, life grew more tense because of her brother Shawn, who began showing patterns of emotional manipulation and physical violence toward Tara. Despite the threats, Tara continued her studies in secret, sometimes waking before dawn to review math problems or staying up late to memorize history facts. Her first attempts at the ACT were discouraging, but after much effort, she improved her scores enough to be accepted into Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah. This achievement was the first major step toward a world she had only dreamed about.
Entering a New World at University
When Tara began her studies at BYU, she experienced culture shock and deep insecurity. She had grown up believing that her family’s way of life was normal, but in her first classes, she realized just how much she didn’t know. She was unfamiliar with common historical events, such as the civil rights movement and the Holocaust, and her classmates were shocked by her lack of knowledge. She struggled with basic social and academic skills — from taking notes in lectures to understanding how to write essays. At first, this made her feel embarrassed and out of place, but slowly, she began to adjust. Professors who noticed her potential encouraged her, helping her to catch up on years of missed education. With each class, Tara’s understanding of the world expanded. She began to see that her father’s version of reality was not the only truth, and that many of the warnings and fears she had grown up with were exaggerated or untrue. However, the more she learned, the more her relationship with her family became strained. Each visit home brought arguments, accusations, and guilt. Her father accused her of abandoning her faith and betraying the family, while her mother stayed silent or tried to persuade her to return to the old ways. Tara felt torn between her loyalty to her family and her growing belief in her right to think for herself.
Breaking Away and Finding Her Voice
As Tara’s education continued, she was given the chance to study abroad at Cambridge University in England. This opportunity was life-changing — for the first time, she was far from the physical and emotional reach of her family. At Cambridge, she learned to analyze history, question sources, and think critically about the narratives she had been taught as a child. Her time in England made her realize the power of knowledge to reshape a person’s identity. She also spent time at Harvard University as a visiting student, gaining even more exposure to new ideas and perspectives. But no matter how far she traveled, the pull of home remained. Each time she returned, she was drawn into the same painful patterns — her father’s warnings, her mother’s attempts at peacekeeping, and Shawn’s ongoing abuse. Eventually, Tara confronted her parents about Shawn’s violence, hoping they would believe her and protect her. Instead, they denied her account and accused her of lying, even suggesting she was mentally unstable. This betrayal was devastating and forced her to make a choice: continue trying to win her family’s approval or protect her own mental and emotional health. Choosing herself meant cutting ties, a decision that left her with deep grief but also a sense of freedom.
The Meaning of Being “Educated”
Tara eventually completed her PhD in history from Cambridge, a remarkable achievement for someone who had entered college with no formal schooling. But for Tara, education was never just about academic success. It became a journey of self-discovery, a process of learning to question, to understand different viewpoints, and to decide for herself what she believed. In her memoir, she reflects on the cost of this transformation — the family she lost, the identity she had to rebuild, and the loneliness that sometimes came with independence. Yet she also acknowledges the gift that education gave her: the power to think critically, to make choices based on knowledge rather than fear, and to create a life that was her own. The title Educated represents more than schooling; it represents liberation, the courage to step out of the shadows of inherited beliefs, and the responsibility to live authentically. Tara’s story is both inspiring and painful because it shows that growth often requires sacrifice, and that the search for truth can separate you from the people you love most. In the end, her journey proves that education is not simply about facts or degrees — it is about gaining the tools to see the world clearly, to recognize your own worth, and to have the strength to shape your own future.
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