JD Vance Announces New Book 'Communion' Detailing His Return to Faith
Vice President JD Vance is set to release a new book titled Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith on June 16, marking his first major publication since the blockbuster success of Hillbilly Elegy. The 304-page work, published by HarperCollins imprint Harper, delves into Vance's personal journey from Christianity to atheism and back to Catholicism, a conversion he underwent in 2019.
Book Details and Political Implications
According to his publisher, Vance wrote the book himself, working on it intermittently since 2019. It will include reflections on his time in politics, making it a notable release as he serves as vice president. While vice presidents like Walter Mondale and Mike Pence have published books, Vance would be among the first in recent memory to do so while still in office.
The announcement has intensified speculation that Vance may seek the presidency in 2028, a move often preceded by book releases to garner public attention. Although Vance has stated he is not currently focused on a campaign and would wait until after the 2026 midterm elections to decide, the timing aligns with patterns seen among potential candidates. On the Democratic side, figures like Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and former Vice President Kamala Harris have also published or planned books this year.
Vance's Faith Journey and Background
In a statement, Vance, 41, explained the book's premise: "The story of how I regained my faith, of course, only happened because I had lost it to begin with." He added that the work explores why his early Christian faith failed to take root, crediting his conversion with providing a sense of purpose absent during his education at Yale University and career in finance.
Originally, Vance had planned a religious memoir, which HarperCollins noted in 2022 was set aside. Communion draws material from that earlier project, offering insights into his spiritual evolution.
From Hillbilly Elegy to Vice Presidency
Vance rose to national prominence with Hillbilly Elegy, a 2016 memoir about his rural upbringing that sold millions of copies. Its popularity surged after Donald Trump's 2016 presidential victory, as Democrats sought to understand Trump's appeal. The book was adapted into a 2020 film directed by Ron Howard, starring Glenn Close and Amy Adams.
Initially a critic of Trump, Vance later became a close ally, leading to his election as a Republican senator from Ohio in 2022. In 2024, Trump selected him as his running mate, making Vance the youngest vice president since Richard Nixon served under Dwight Eisenhower in the 1950s.
Family News and Related Announcements
The book announcement follows news from Vance's wife, Usha Vance, who recently launched a podcast called Storytime with the Second Lady to promote children's reading. The couple has three young children and is expecting their fourth, a boy due in late July, adding a personal dimension to Vance's public narrative.
