Hey friends --
Welcome to Post Grad Cliff Notes, thank you for subscribing. Happy October! This week President Trump and Senate Republicans hosted an event at the White House infecting themselves and colleagues with COVID-19. Thankfully, for the most part, their conditions are stable and improving.
Additionally, Wednesday is the first Vice Presidential debate (aren’t you just so excited lol). We will finally get to see Senator Harris and Vice President Pence share their dueling visions of the United States with the American people.
This week I read Educated by Tara Westover. Westover is an American writer and historian. Educated debuted at #1 on The New York Times bestseller list and was a finalist for a number of national awards.
Westover's memoir details her life from a young age to her mid to late twenties. Her story lays out her journey from living as the seventh child of Mormon survivalist parents who subscribed to a paranoid network of beliefs, to graduating top of her class at Brigham Young University (BYU) and working as an award-winning historian at Cambridge.
Top Line
Westover looks at her childhood and tumultuous past with clarity, curiosity, and even compassion for the people in her life who hurt or wronged her.
Westover shows her true grit and determination, as she digs deep into the question; what does it mean to preserve your own sense of self while who you are is constantly changing.
Westover in her book addresses the urban-rural divide America has struggled with for centuries. The analysis into the lives of her brothers, especially her father, hits on the larger discussions we are having today on this divide. You can read more about this here.
My Review
The pain in Westover’s upbringing tells an important story we all need to hear. Westover in her book Educated forces us to think about how you preserve your own sense of self, while who you are is constantly changing. I recommend this book.
Favorite Quote
“The most powerful determinant of who you are is inside of you,” he said. “Professor Steinberg says this is Pygmalion. Think of the story Tara.” He paused, his eyes fierce, his voice piercing. “She was just a cockney in a nice dress. Until she believed in herself. Then it didn’t matter what dress she wore.”
Something Extra...
ARTICLE: Three Scenarios for the Future of Climate Change by Elizabeth Colbert
This article provides an analysis of some of the serious information we’ve seen this year from scientists on the effects of climate change.
ARTICLE: Trump And The Coronavirus Are Dividing Black And White Churches In Georgia by Kadia Goba
This article shows how deep the political and racial divides are in this election.
Upcoming….
1 Billion Americans - Matthew Yglesias
We The Animals - Justin Torres