At BYU, I discovered history, then historiography. I became fascinated with the study of historians and historical trends, with the idea that the way we remember the past changes and shifts with our own preoccupations.

Tara Westover’s quote, "At BYU, I discovered history, then historiography," reflects her academic journey and intellectual development. At Brigham Young University (BYU), Westover was introduced to the concept of history, but it was through the study of historiography—the examination of how history is written and interpreted—that she became deeply intrigued. Historiography involves not only the study of historical events but also an analysis of the methods and perspectives through which they are recorded, understood, and conveyed over time.

The phrase "I became fascinated with the study of historians and historical trends" highlights Westover’s growing interest in the role of the historian in shaping our understanding of the past. She recognizes that historians do not simply record events but interpret them through the lens of their own cultural, political, and personal biases. Historical trends shift over time, influenced by changing societal values and preoccupations, and Westover’s interest lies in how these trends reflect the broader context in which they arise.

Westover’s insight that "the way we remember the past changes and shifts with our own preoccupations" speaks to the dynamic nature of historical memory. She points out that history is not a static, unchanging account of past events, but is instead shaped by the needs, values, and concerns of the present. How we remember and interpret past events is often influenced by what matters most to us at a particular time, making history fluid and subject to reinterpretation.

Originating from Westover’s personal academic journey, the quote captures her exploration of historiography and her evolving understanding of how history is constructed. As someone who grew up in a family that maintained its own unique version of history, Westover’s academic experience helped her recognize the complex, subjective nature of historical narratives. Her discovery of historiography opened her eyes to the fact that our understanding of the past is often influenced by those who record it and the circumstances surrounding them.