America’s Founding Son: John Quincy Adams, from President to Political Maverick

"Exploring the personal and public life of America’s 'greatest public servant'"SHOW NOTES: In this episode of The Blessings of Liberty, Bob Crawford, bassist for the Grammy-nominated band The Avett Brothers, joins to discuss his new book, America’s Founding Son: John Quincy Adams, from President to Political Maverick. This accessible and entertaining biography tells the tale of Adams’s turbulent government career and his evolving views on slavery. Jeffrey Rosen, senior fellow at FIRE and CEO Emeritus of the National Constitution Center, moderates.ParticipantsBob Crawford plays the upright bass, bass guitar, and violin for the Grammy-nominated Americana band The Avett Brothers. He is the co-host, alongside Dr. Benjamin Sawyer, of the history podcast The Road to Now, which explains the story behind important events and outstanding individuals of today’s world.Jeffrey Rosen is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and CEO Emeritus of the National Constitution Center. He is also a professor of law at the George Washington University Law School and a contributing editor of The Atlantic.Additional ResourcesBob Crawford, America’s Founding Son: John Quincy Adams, from President to Political Maverick (2026)John Quincy Adams, “An Oration Addressed to the Citizens of the Town of Quincy, on the Fourth of July, 1831” (1831)John Quincy Adams, “Jubilee of the Constitution: A Discourse” (1839)Theodore Weld, American Slavery As It Is: Testimony of a Thousand Witnesses (1839)United States v. The Amistad (1841)Stay Connected and Learn MoreContinue the conversation by following us on social media.Substack: @rosenjeffreyInstagram: @TheBlessingsOfLibertyX: @JeffreyRosenPodX (Personal): @RosenJeffreyYouTube: @TheBlessingsofLibertyPodExplore Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to HappinessFollow, rate, and review wherever you listenThank you to our presenting sponsor, FIRE, a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to defending and sustaining the individual rights of all Americans—especially freedom of speech and free thought. Through legal advocacy, education, and public awareness, FIRE helps protect open debate and a culture where ideas can be challenged instead of silenced. Learn more about FIRE’s work at FIRE.org/blessings.