Tara Westover

Well-known for her captivating memoir Educated (2018), Tara Westover is an intensely talented and inspiring author who is only in her mid-thirties. Born in Idaho in 1986, Westover grew up in a religious, survivalist home and was raised outside traditional education. She taught herself enough to gain admission at Brigham Young University, followed by a master's from Cambridge and a PhD from Harvard.

At an early age, Tara Westover’s family members discussed their own version of the Biblical End-of-Days and her father, in particular, foretold an era of civil unrest and social chaos. He began stockpiling food and firearms, taught his family how to protect themselves with weapons — both lawful and unlawful — and raised them to remain independent and self-reliant, even when open and hostile to the outside world.

Westover was surrounded by violence, much of it perpetrated by her older brother, who acted as the patriarchal figure of their home. Yet she and her siblings were raised in a staunchly Mormon home, with their father and mother attempting to instill their faith into the youngsters and raise them to be devoutly religious like them. Westover was never enrolled in public schools and instead received an education at home consisting of homeschooling, physical labour and a smattering of tutoring by her mother.

It was tough for Westover, as her family lived off the grid and homeschooling wasn’t a viable option. Additionally, there was limited to no internet access, making it even more difficult to educate herself. But she persevered, teaching herself enough to gain admission to Brigham Young University, eventually graduating in 2008 with a degree in history and political science.

Westover’s parents were against the idea of higher education but Tara pushed forward, obtaining a master’s degree in international relations from Cambridge, followed by a PhD in intellectual and cultural history from Harvard. Currently, Westover works as an educator at Cambridge University and is a visiting fellow of the Forum at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.

Westover’s memoir Educated (2018) details her struggles and triumphs as she attempts to separate truth from fiction, leaving behind the family and the religion she was raised in, to carve out her own path. She recounts her story with vivid imagery and acute attention to detail, weaving in family dynamics, education, false memory and the cost of individualism.

Educated sheds a light on Westover’s past and her difficult family relationships, as well as her experience entering a world of higher education as a “self-taught” student. The book is an important piece of literature that highlights the triumph of spirit and intellect over adversity and neglect, and serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of the human will.

Westover’s memoir has been met with critical acclaim and was even a Pulitzer Prize finalist for Nonfiction in 2019. Westover has since become a prominent voice in social circles, sharing her story and encouraging others to find an inner strength in their own struggles. Westover is also a contributor to The Guardian, Politico, The Times and other publications, which serves to demonstrate her ability to shine in difficult situations.

Tara Westover’s inspirational story of perseverance and self-actualization is a beacon of hope for anyone seeking to make it through even the toughest of times. She has gone from being told she was backed down to becoming a powerful writer and teacher, whose words are an inspiration for anyone who dares to take on the struggles of life.