Educated / Education of an Idealist

by Tara Westover, Samantha Power

Please Note That The Following Individual Books As Per Original ISBN and Cover Image In this Listing shall be Dispatched Collectively:

Educated Tara Westover and Education of an Idealist 2 Books Collection Set:

Educated:
Tara Westover and her family grew up preparing for the End of Days but, according to the government, she didn't exist. She hadn't been registered for a birth certificate. She had no school records because she'd never set foot in a classroom, and no medical records because her father didn't believe in hospitals.

The Education of an Idealist:
The Education of an Idealist combines powerful storytelling, vividly drawn characters and deep political insight. It traces Power's journey from childhood growing up in a pub in Ireland to war correspondent to presidential Cabinet official. In 2005, her critiques of US foreign policy caught the eye of newly elected Senator Barack Obama, who invited her to work with him on Capitol Hill and then on his presidential campaign.

Paperback

About the author

Tara Westover is an American author living in the UK. Born in Idaho to a father opposed to public education, she never attended school. She spent her days working in her father's junkyard or stewing herbs for her mother, a self-taught herbalist and midwife. She was seventeen the first time she set foot in a classroom, and after that first taste, she pursued learning for the next decade. She received a BA from Brigham Young University in 2008 and was subsequently awarded a Gates Cambridge Scholarship. She earned an MPhil from Trinity College, Cambridge in 2009, and in 2010 was a visiting fellow at Harvard University. She returned to Cambridge, where she was awarded a PhD in history in 2014.

Reviews

[Gwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

How very sad that people actually live in these circumstances. How wonderful that Tara achieves what she did. We never know what an individual may actually go through on a daily basis. As Ellen says, "Be kind to one another". Right now we are in the throes of the coronavirus threats around the world. An especially good time to test our people skills. If we have compassion and do our part, we can get by faster and easier.

[Matt Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly heartbreaking, frustrating but ultimately empowering.

[Ziggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've only read the Educated book - and it is powerful!
This is Tara Westover's memoir, so it actually happened. She grew up in a dirt-poor Mormon family in the mountains of Idaho, as one of many siblings. She did not go to school and didn't even have a birth certificate. Her father is very controlling and paranoid. He thinks the Feds are coming to get him and that the world will end in 2000. He builds an underground bunker with supplies.
He runs a scrapyard and expects his children to work with him. He has no concerns for safety and some get injured. Tara's mother knows about herbal medicine and also acts as a midwife. Just as well, as her husband does not believe in doctors or hospitals either.
At 17, Tara decides she wants an education. Her mother had taught them all to read and write. She manages to get into Brigham Young University, where her professors realize she is quite brilliant. She wins a scholarship and eventually goes on to Cambridge, where she earns a Masters. Then there is the conflict between her education and her love for her family... Powerful!

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Educated is a good book for those who wish to read about different ways of life.

Before reading, I had no idea that families like Tara's existed. I was also blown away by the lack of care that was shown to Tara and her siblings. It is a truly sad story and I am glad to see Tara has been able to grow free of the family that was so horrible to her.

I do not have much more to say about this book due to the fact that I read it a while ago and forget my complete thoughts, but I 100% recommend it!

[Sophia Furman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nonfiction isn’t usually my type of style to read but this book was very interesting. Educated is such an inspirational story and it shows that if you put in the effort, you’ll eventually achieve what you set out to do. Not only that, but it emphasizes mental health and the effects an abusive childhood can have on an individual. It’s informative and useful. It’s also an extremely powerful book for feminism and women empowerment. It was very inspirational.

[Mlmusick · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author diagnosed everyone but herself. I'm thinking narcissist. If she cared for her parents in the least she would have waited for them to pass before so savagely picking them apart. There is always another side to this sort of tale.

[Elizabeth Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating autobiography that explores the way memory constructs one's family history which doesn't always square with others who witnessed a particular event. The narrative didn't quite ring true in parts which is a shame. But it was well written and thought provoking.

[Elona · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really great book! I enjoyed every single page!

[Claudette R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Eye opener on being raised in a closed Mormon community and escaping it.

[Asta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book, absolutely loved it from the very start till the end. Highly recommend

[Amber B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is for Educated

[Veleta Hayles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent use of characters. Ability to drew the reader into her memoir.

[Jennifer Fuschino · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only read educated. Ended abruptly.

[Andy Weiler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good break from the mysteries I've been reading lately. Kind of sad that it's a memoir and not something a little more fabricated.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and tragic.

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this book to everyone I know. It's a true testament to the magic of literature and its ability to transport us to different worlds and broaden our horizons.

[Susan Boisvert]

Fascinating story of survival and self education.

[HRM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful