When I first read the back cover of Tara Westover‘s memoirs Educated, I was intrigued but I had no idea the impression this book would leave on me would be so intense. Her story left me speechless. And sad. And amazed. My book review on Educated is simple; it is a must read for every parent.
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In her book, Westover tells the story of her upbringing in rural Idaho as the youngest of 7 homeschooled children in a fundamentalist Mormon family. Her survivalist father, suffering from some form of mental instability, rallied his children to work with him in preparing for the end of time, while actually very little time was spent on schooling. Few of the children were issued a birth certificate, and the only medical care they received was concoctions of herbs mixed by her mother. Yet despite this sheltered upbringing, Westover taught herself enough math and reading to pass the ACT then entered college. It was not until she entered a university classroom that she first learned about the Holocaust.
Educated left me marveling at the author’s courage and determination, but it also saddened me greatly. The power parents hold over their children is enormous, and this thought is quite sobering. Every parent should read this book. 
