Page-turning memoir of survival in a survivalist family. The family's survivalism was more an ideology than a functional effort to survive any potential doomsday. The ideology served mainly to isolate the family and maintain the Dad's authority. For all of the dad's worries & warnings about the tyranny of government, the society he was building was itself authoritarian. Of course, (as Educated does a good job of showing) there is no such thing as "Self-Evident" & logical consistency is in the eye of the beholder (or world viewer). Another major theme is the fallibility & malleability of memory. Westover is careful to include not just her memories of events, but also others' memories, even when those memories diverge from her own. The story of Westover's education is remarkable, but I think what is just as remarkable (and probably more bizarre) is her family's sudden turn of fortunes after her dad set himself on fire in a welding accident. Tara achieved what she did with her work ethic, her curiosity, & luck, but what did her family have that turned what should have been a deadly accident into a massive homeopathic & essential oil remedy business? Certainly, had Westover been more of a witness to that story and able to provide details, it would not be so mysterious, but it's still remarkable. Finally, this book is vindication for me for every time I shouted "put on a damn helmet!" at the TV during battle scenes, winter snow storm scenes, construction work site scenes, hog-ridin' motorcycle road trip montages, etc. Educated is a ringing endorsement of workplace safety, and head-protection in particular.