Original Name: He was born James Donald Bowman on August 2, 1984, in Middletown, Ohio. Second Name: After his mother remarried, his name was changed to James David Hamel to match his stepfather's surname. Final Name: In 2013, he legally changed his surname to Vance to honor the grandparents who raised him. Have you ever changed your last name, not related to becoming married?

Mamaw's Arsenal: His grandmother, "Mamaw," reportedly owned 19 handguns for self-defense. Is there a gun in your household?

The "Hillbilly Elegy" Phenomenon--- Author at 31: He published his memoir at age 31, and it became a #1 New York Times Bestseller. Trump "Translator": The book was hailed as a "guide" to understanding Donald Trump's appeal to white working-class voters. Movie Adaptation: Netflix released a film version in 2020 directed by Ron Howard. Academy Award Link: Glenn Close, who played his grandmother "Mamaw," was nominated for an Oscar for the role. Criticism: Many Appalachians criticized the book for oversimplifying the region's problems as "cultural pathology." Have you watched the movie or read the book, "Hillbilly Elegy?"

Voter Power Idea: He once suggested that parents should have more voting power than non-parents, though he later backtracked. Do you usually vote in elections?