“America’s Founding Son”: Author & Musician Bob Crawford on the Life of John Quincy Adams

About this episode

Bob Crawford discusses the life and legacy of John Quincy Adams in the context of American history.

John Quincy Adams was the great visionary of America’s post-founding era, a writer and orator of consummate skill who reframed the origins and principles of the republic for a new generation. It’s fitting then that as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of independence, that Adams should be the focus of renewed attention. One new book in particular caught our eye at Library of America: America’s Founding Son: John Quincy Adams, from President to Political Maverick by Bob Crawford (Zando 2026). Crawford is perhaps best known as the bassist for the acclaimed folk-rock band The Avett Brothers, out of Concord, North Carolina. But he is also the host of not one but two popular podcasts: American History Hotline, on iHeart Radio, and The Road to Now, on SiriusXM’s POTUS channel. With all this going on, we’re very grateful that he could make time to sit down with LOA associate publisher Brian McCarthy for a free-ranging conversation about all things Adams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/biography

People in this episode

Host: Brian McCarthy

Guest: Bob Crawford

Topics covered

• John Quincy Adams
• American history
• political biography
• music and culture
• founding principles

Keywords

• John Quincy Adams
• Bob Crawford
• American history
• biography
• political maverick

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Library of America, The Avett Brothers, American History Hotline, The Road to Now, SiriusXM, iHeart Radio

More episodes of New Books in Biography & Memoir

• The Legacy of Chaim Grade · June 13, 2026
• Natalia Rogach Alexander, "Growing People: The Enduring Legacy of John Dewey" (Columbia UP, 2025) · June 10, 2026 · 52 min
• Understanding Themistocles: A Discussion with Author Michael Scott · June 9, 2026 · 36 min
• Andrea Gunraj, "Go-Between Girl: My Indentured Roots as Reclaimed Present" (McClelland & Stewart, 2026) · June 8, 2026 · 25 min
• Mollie Barnes, "Paper Heroines: Women Writers in Conversation and Community Across the Sea Islands, 1838-1902" (U South Carolina Press, 2026) · June 4, 2026 · 50 min
• A Divine Comedy: On Hollywood, Creativity, and Religion with Rob Long · June 3, 2026 · 1h 4m