Vice President JD Vance will release a new book this spring that delves into his personal religious journey and his adult conversion to Catholicism. The title of the forthcoming work is “Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith.”

Book Release Details and Themes

Publication Date and Publisher

HarperCollins Publishers announced on Tuesday that the book is scheduled for release on June 16. The publisher, Harper, confirmed the details to The Associated Press.

Vance’s Reflection on Faith Loss and Return

Vance, 41, shared in a statement that the core of the book addresses the reasons behind his spiritual departure. “The story of how I regained my faith, of course, only happened because I had lost it to begin with,” Vance stated.

He further questioned, “The interesting question that hangs over this book, and over my mind, is why I ever strayed from the path. Why the Christian faith of my youth failed to properly take root,” he wrote.

Content and Context of the Memoir

Writing Process and Political Material

The 304-page memoir, which Vance wrote himself, has been in development intermittently since 2019. According to his publisher, the book will incorporate material related to his time in politics.

Some sections of “Communion” are drawn from a planned religious memoir Vance had previously been working on. Vance has publicly detailed his spiritual evolution, moving from Christianity to atheism before ultimately converting to Catholicism in 2019.

Faith, Purpose, and Early Career

Vance credits his Catholic faith with providing him a sense of purpose that he did not find through his education at Yale University or his subsequent work in the financial sector. His first memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy,” gained widespread attention, particularly after Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential victory.

“Hillbilly Elegy” was later adapted into a 2020 film directed by Ron Howard, starring Glenn Close and Amy Adams. Vance, who was initially critical of Trump, became a close political ally.

Political Implications and Precedent

Vance’s Current Political Role

Vance was elected as a Republican Senator for Ohio in 2022. Two years later, he was selected by Trump as his running mate, making him the youngest vice president since Dwight Eisenhower served alongside Richard Nixon in the 1950s.

Book Releases and Presidential Aspirations

Presidential hopefuls frequently publish books to gain visibility and define their message before launching a campaign. This pattern is evident on the Democratic side, where figures like Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro are releasing or planning memoirs.

While Vance has not focused on a potential 2028 campaign, indicating a decision would follow the 2026 midterm elections, his book follows a tradition. Vice presidents from Walter Mondale to Mike Pence have published books, but Vance would be the first in recent memory to do so while actively serving in office.