James David Vance

James David Vance is a US author and lawyer, who has written extensively on the topics of politics, religion and culture. He is best known for his bestselling book Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, which was published in 2016 and became an international bestseller. The book examines the struggles of working-class Appalachian families, and has been praised for its frank and honest account of growing up in rural Kentucky.

Vance was born in Middletown, Ohio, to a poor family. At the age of three he was adopted by his stepfather, who provided Vance with a stable home and loving support. Vance developed an interest in politics as a child, drawn to the ideals of justice and fairness.

He received a scholarship to attend Ohio State University where he earned his undergraduate degree in political science. He then continued on to Yale Law School, graduating in 1992 with a law degree. Following this, Vance joined the US Marine Corps and served for four years.

When his service ended in 1998, Vance practiced law for nearly a decade, most recently as a Federal Public Defender. In 2006 he completed a book entitled “Romancing the Stone: How Politicians, Activists and the Media Turned a Middle-American Heartland into an Appalachian Crisis”.

After years of writing, and with the encouragement of a friend Vance began work on what would become Hillbilly Elegy. The book, which shares his family’s story, tells of the challenges of growing up in the Appalachian Mountains and provides a lens into the struggles of those impoverished communities.

The book is a sharp and honest look into Appalachian culture. It investigates the reasons behind their dire circumstances while also demonstrating their capacity to rise above it. It explores issues such as family life, poverty, addiction, and education.

The success of Hillbilly Elegy has been unprecedented, leading to offers to speak on the subject at universities, media appearances, and most recently, fame and recognition by the general public.

In 2019, Vance was honored as one of TIME Magazine's 100 most influential people. He was also invited to the White House for a summit on the future of Appalachia and its people.

Vance remains an advocate for his home region, and continues to speak on the issues facing Appalachia, in both his book and in the media. He is one of the rare people to make a lasting impact on the region. His determination and openness to explore the issues facing Appalachia has allowed for a more comprehensive understanding of the area and its people.

He continues to write and speak publicly on issues of Appalachia, justice, and culture. Vance’s story is a testament to the power of hope, resilience, and working hard to make a difference. He has become a voice of the Appalachian people and a beacon of light in an area that has seen too much suffering.