The cover depicts a charming white church in rural Appalachia, identified by The Bulwark's national political reporter Joe Perticone as Mount Zion Church in Elk Creek, Virginia, a United Methodist house of worship. According to The Independent - World, Joe Perticone described the church as undeniably photogenic, making it a popular stock image. He also noted that Vance's choice of photo struck him as odd, given the vice president's outspoken Catholic faith.
Vance's spokesperson directed inquiries to the publisher, and The Independent has contacted HarperCollins for comment, leaving it unclear whether a statement or correction will be issued or if the publication date or cover design will change. The error's origin in selecting a non-Catholic church for a book about Catholicism remains unknown, as does Vance's personal reaction to the discovery. Vance's 2016 memoir, 'Hillbilly Elegy,' published by HarperCollins, elevated his public profile by sharing his story of growing up in Middletown, Ohio, and summers in Appalachia.
The story of how I regained my faith, of course, only happened because I had lost it to begin with.
It laid the groundwork for his political career, giving him a reputation as someone who could explain Trump's appeal to middle America, especially among rural, working-class white voters. Vance, who started out as a harsh critic of Trump, was selected as his running mate during the 2024 election. During a debate against Democratic VP nominee Tim Walz, he said he was misled by dishonest fabrications when he compared Trump to Hitler.
HarperCollins describes Vance's new book as an intimate account of why he strayed from the Christianity of his youth and what led him back to faith. Vance converted to Catholicism in 2019.
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.
Mount Zion is undeniably photogenic, which is why it's also a popular stock image.
Vance's choice of photo struck me as odd, given that the vice president has been outspoken about his Catholic faith.