Vice President JD Vance breaks with recent precedent by publishing a personal memoir while serving in office, detailing his conversion to Catholicism in a 304-page book titled “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith.”
A Seven-Year Journey to Publication
Vance announced the late spring release of his memoir, which he began writing in 2019—the same year he converted to Catholicism. The book chronicles his spiritual transformation from a Protestant upbringing through atheism and ultimately to the Catholic Church. “The story of how I regained my faith, of course, only happened because I had lost it to begin with,” the 41-year-old vice president explained. He partnered again with HarperCollins Publishers, the same company that released his 2016 bestseller “Hillbilly Elegy,” which sold over three million copies and became a Ron Howard film in 2020.
The memoir includes reflections on Vance’s political experiences and fatherhood alongside his religious journey. “Communion is about my personal journey and how I found my way back to faith,” Vance stated in his announcement. The book explores why his childhood Christian faith failed to take root initially and examines his path back to organized religion. Recent vice presidents Mike Pence and Kamala Harris both waited until after leaving office to publish their books, making Vance’s mid-term release unusual for someone holding the nation’s second-highest office.
Political Context and Family News
The book announcement comes as multiple potential 2028 presidential candidates—including former Vice President Harris, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro—have released or plan to release books. Vance, considered the Republican frontrunner for 2028, has publicly stated his focus remains on the 2026 midterm elections rather than the next presidential race. Publishing books before presidential campaigns has become standard practice for aspiring candidates seeking to build their national profiles and share their personal narratives with voters.
Second Family Initiatives
The memoir announcement coincided with Second Lady Usha Vance launching “Storytime with the Second Lady,” a podcast encouraging children to read. The couple has three children and expects their fourth. Vance’s return to writing represents a full-circle moment for the Ohio native who first gained national attention through his Appalachian memoir before entering politics. His Senate campaign came six years after “Hillbilly Elegy” hit shelves, followed by President Trump selecting him as running mate. The vice president described feeling honored to finally share his complete faith journey after years of working on the manuscript.