NPR's Book of the Day Gov. Josh Shapiro emphasizes civic engagement in new memoir 'Where We Keep the Light'
Feb 10, 2026
Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania governor and author, reflects on public service and resilience. He discusses surviving an arson attack, confronting antisemitism, defending voter data and election integrity, and the power of local civic engagement to drive change. Short, personal stories underscore his focus on community problem-solvers and protecting democratic trust.
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Targeted Arson At The Governor's Residence
- Josh Shapiro recounts the arson attack on the governor's residence during a Passover Seder and his immediate focus on family safety.
- He describes the shock of learning it was a targeted attack and worries about explaining it to his children.
Visibility Creates Responsibility
- Shapiro says being openly Jewish and visible in office created a sense of responsibility to speak out on anti-Semitism after October 7th.
- He frames public faith visibility as both personal comfort to others and a civic duty to confront hatred.
Federal Deployments Can Erode Local Trust
- Shapiro argues federal deployments like ICE or the Guard into unwilling communities erode trust and increase danger rather than safety.
- He ties erosion of local trust to concrete harms, citing loss of life and constitutional violations by ICE.
