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Where We Keep the Light: Stories from a Life of Service
A grounded and intimate portrait of life by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro
Where We Keep the Light is the story of public service and personal faith. From an early age, Josh Shapiro learned and practiced the power of showing up, listening, and executing, to make people’s lives a little better. In the pages of this account of his life, Shapiro relates powerful stories about his family, his faith, and what matters to Americans tired of all the divisiveness and distrust in our leaders.
Reflecting on what he’s learned by knocking on doors, serving his community, and tackling the tough problems that no one wanted to touch in new and different ways, Shapiro reminds us that government can be a force for good, that conventional wisdom is rarely wise, and there’s more that unites Americans than divides us.
Shapiro is answering a call to service at a time when we need leaders like him to step up. Where We Keep the Light is a must-read account of his life and what lies ahead.
Where We Keep the Light is the story of public service and personal faith. From an early age, Josh Shapiro learned and practiced the power of showing up, listening, and executing, to make people’s lives a little better. In the pages of this account of his life, Shapiro relates powerful stories about his family, his faith, and what matters to Americans tired of all the divisiveness and distrust in our leaders.
Reflecting on what he’s learned by knocking on doors, serving his community, and tackling the tough problems that no one wanted to touch in new and different ways, Shapiro reminds us that government can be a force for good, that conventional wisdom is rarely wise, and there’s more that unites Americans than divides us.
Shapiro is answering a call to service at a time when we need leaders like him to step up. Where We Keep the Light is a must-read account of his life and what lies ahead.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 27, 2026
159 people are currently reading
3018 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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January 16, 2026Weird title to use when the person in question was under fire for servicing and supporting a foreign military. Curious to find out if it's a decent book or just SEO cover-up.
February 1, 2026
I’ve known Josh since 1999 when he was Chief of Staff to my political mentor, Joe Hoeffel and attending Georgetown Law School at night. Two things I’ve always known about Josh since the day we met, he loved Lori and he was dedicated to public service (this was before he became a father). This book shows both and also his commitment and love for his children. Among Josh’s super powers is his empathy and ability to listen and connect with people. But he doesn’t just listens, he gets stuff done. I’ve proudly voted for Josh in every race he’s run since 2011 because he’s a great public servant but an even better person. His family is his North Star and this book shows that.
Shapiro for America!
Shapiro for America!
January 31, 2026
On the writing: A little clunky at first, but he found his rhythm, and I found it super enjoyable. Some political books can just be look at how awesome I am, while this had genuinely interesting stories.
On the content: I actually got so emotional. I do not align with many of Shapiro's views, but you can tell he genuinely cares about his constituents, and I firmly believe we need more people like him in politics. I also loved how he explained his evolving thoughts on issues and policies and was not scared to admit when he was wrong. At the end he also had a great PA pride moment which I am always a sucker for.
On the content: I actually got so emotional. I do not align with many of Shapiro's views, but you can tell he genuinely cares about his constituents, and I firmly believe we need more people like him in politics. I also loved how he explained his evolving thoughts on issues and policies and was not scared to admit when he was wrong. At the end he also had a great PA pride moment which I am always a sucker for.
January 31, 2026
Where we keep the light
I loved this book! So refreshing to read in these sad times in our country "leadership". What a wonderful example of how humanity should look. Josh Shapiro for president - PLEASE!
I have already recommended this read to everyone I know. I wish the book had more pages to read. I will re-read this daily as sort of a daily devotional.
I loved this book! So refreshing to read in these sad times in our country "leadership". What a wonderful example of how humanity should look. Josh Shapiro for president - PLEASE!
I have already recommended this read to everyone I know. I wish the book had more pages to read. I will re-read this daily as sort of a daily devotional.
January 31, 2026
In this compelling memoir, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro shares stories about his childhood and political rise and the faith that drives his devotion to public service. He begins by telling the story of surviving an arsonist’s 2025 attack on the Governor’s Residence while he and his family slept after celebrating Passover, culminating with a strong condemnation of political violence. Knocking on doors in his race for Pennsylvania State Representative taught him the value of listening to voters’ problems. As Pennsylvania Attorney General, he sought justice for victims of the Catholic Church’s decades of child abuse and fought monopolistic healthcare company practices.
A pragmatist, Shapiro focuses on four issues that he hopes can unite voters: decent jobs, good schools, safe communities, and rights and freedoms. It remains to be seen whether he will run for president in 2028; he may have a hard time in the Democratic primary given leftwing distrust of his moderate positions on the environment and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, among other issues. Regardless, Where We Keep the Light is an inspiring political memoir and an exciting page-turner.
A pragmatist, Shapiro focuses on four issues that he hopes can unite voters: decent jobs, good schools, safe communities, and rights and freedoms. It remains to be seen whether he will run for president in 2028; he may have a hard time in the Democratic primary given leftwing distrust of his moderate positions on the environment and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, among other issues. Regardless, Where We Keep the Light is an inspiring political memoir and an exciting page-turner.
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January 29, 2026what to say, what to say.....
he's a great storyteller and an even better politician (I mean that genuinely)
he's a great storyteller and an even better politician (I mean that genuinely)
February 2, 2026
Josh Shapiro
An extraordinary and inspirational biography of faith in action ! A candid and powerful portrayal by this courageous ,compassionate and dedicated man.
An extraordinary and inspirational biography of faith in action ! A candid and powerful portrayal by this courageous ,compassionate and dedicated man.
January 30, 2026
I’m a Josh Shapiro fan. I think he is a great person. This book gave me more insight into his life. Interesting and informative!
February 1, 2026
There's a lot to unpack here.
1) If he announced that he plans to run for President tomorrow, he'd likely be my first choice. He understands Pennsylvanians deeply. He is extremely pro-worker/pro-union to the degree where almost everyone who works for a Union has met or shaken hands with him. I'm assuming he'll understand the student debt crisis, given Pennsylvania is one of the worse states for it.
2) I would've liked to have seen more about what he would do if he would run for president or policies he's in favor of, but it's more a snapshot of his career up to that point and statements against political violence, his ability to work across the aisle, and different victories against big powerful interests that work to take advantage of those who have less of a voice.
3) I do appreciate that he sticks to his conventions, but at the same time is willing to have his views evolves, as he is introduced to more information, such as his stance regarding the death penalty.
4) I haven't read Kamala Harris' 107 Days, but I heard that there was some critical stuff towards Shapiro in there. His viewpoints in the book run with what I have heard within the months after he withdrew his name from consideration. The questions he was asked may have been offensive, but I believe that it could be a way to gauge how he'd answer those questions on the trail. In his book, it made it seem like he was being asked to abandon PA if he was running as VP on the trail. It seemed like he had received pushback for having different viewpoints than Kamala at different times. It also seemed like how the vetting process went, he was being discouraged from continuing on.
1) If he announced that he plans to run for President tomorrow, he'd likely be my first choice. He understands Pennsylvanians deeply. He is extremely pro-worker/pro-union to the degree where almost everyone who works for a Union has met or shaken hands with him. I'm assuming he'll understand the student debt crisis, given Pennsylvania is one of the worse states for it.
2) I would've liked to have seen more about what he would do if he would run for president or policies he's in favor of, but it's more a snapshot of his career up to that point and statements against political violence, his ability to work across the aisle, and different victories against big powerful interests that work to take advantage of those who have less of a voice.
3) I do appreciate that he sticks to his conventions, but at the same time is willing to have his views evolves, as he is introduced to more information, such as his stance regarding the death penalty.
4) I haven't read Kamala Harris' 107 Days, but I heard that there was some critical stuff towards Shapiro in there. His viewpoints in the book run with what I have heard within the months after he withdrew his name from consideration. The questions he was asked may have been offensive, but I believe that it could be a way to gauge how he'd answer those questions on the trail. In his book, it made it seem like he was being asked to abandon PA if he was running as VP on the trail. It seemed like he had received pushback for having different viewpoints than Kamala at different times. It also seemed like how the vetting process went, he was being discouraged from continuing on.
January 30, 2026
Where We Keep the Light: Stories from a Life of Service is an inspiring and grounded account of public service and personal faith. Josh Shapiro shares intimate stories from his life, illustrating the power of showing up, listening, and taking action for the common good. Honest, relatable, and thoughtful, this book offers lessons on leadership, community, and unity in a time when genuine service matters most.
February 2, 2026
A pretty standard get to know the politician before he runs for another office book. Shapiro comes across as genuine, hard working, family focused and profoundly and proudly Jewish. He’s done much good for the people of Pennsylvania. Could he do the same for the nation?
February 1, 2026
4.25 audio
Liked hearing about his common sense approach and highlighting some of his discussions on the campaign trail
Easy to understand why he has been successful in PA
Liked hearing about his common sense approach and highlighting some of his discussions on the campaign trail
Easy to understand why he has been successful in PA
February 3, 2026
It would be a much better world if politicians approached their calling the way Shapiro does. Recommended reading in these troubled times.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews