Educated - a great book by a an amazing woman

Tara Westover is an amazing woman whose abusive, dysfunctional family system tried to tether her mind and future to that of victimization, controlled by the fears and distortions of the irrational.  Raised in a survivalist environment and denied access to an education, she could have lived her life perpetuating the powerless role of victim.  Instead, she is thriving today with an advanced education and freedom to choose her own values and future.

            Ms. Westover wrote her memoirs in the book, Educated, released in March of this year.  It’s a very intimate picture of how insidious is the pairing of love and exploitation.  Breaking free usually comes with tremendous costs. 

            These very difficult choices are so often what people face when trying to survive trauma—freedom at the cost of some measure of love and familiarity.

            Ms. Westover’s journey reminds me so much of many former clients—people who experienced unimaginable abuse, yet figured out ways to navigate through life according to their chosen values and goals.  Courage.  It takes great courage to step into the unknown, to leave what is familiar, and create one’s own path.  Ms. Westover’s courageous journey is inspiring.

The book is available on Amazon and elsewhere:  https://www.amazon.com/Educated-Memoir-Tara-Westover/dp/0399590501