On July 4, 2026, the United States of America celebrates its 250th birthday and the 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence. This week, I am commemorating the semiquincentennial by listening to America’s Founding Son: John Quincy Adams, from President to Political Maverick by Bob Crawford.

Readers may recognize Bob Crawford as the bassist for the Grammy-nominated Americana band, The Avett Brothers. He co-hosts a podcast, The Road to Now, with Dr. Benjamin Sawyer, a history professor at Middle Tennessee State University, also.

John Quincy Adams was born on July 11, 1767, nine years before the Declaration of Independence was signed, and his parents, John and Abigail Adams, raised him to serve his country. He served as a diplomat, a state legislator, and a U.S. Senator before becoming President in 1824 in what history calls the “corrupt bargain”.

Crawford’s interest in John Quincy Adams was sparked when he learned more about Quincy Adams’s life after Andrew Jackson defeated his bid for re-election in 1828. Two years later, Quincy Adams had a second act when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

For the next twenty years, Quincy Adams argued against the “slaveocracy” and the gag rule that prevented debate over slavery on the House floor. Quincy Adams opposed slavery, but due to the gag rule, he approached the controversial issue in a unique way. He argued the gag rule violated free speech protected by the First Amendment.

Crawford tells the very interesting story of how the former president became a political maverick in his own time and how the issues of the 1800s connect to our modern politics. Crawford reads the biography himself, and his voice and language are very engaging.

This book is definitely worth the Audible credit.

Happy 4th of July, readers, and Happy 250th birthday to the U.S.A.!

Look for books at Knox County Online Library or your local independent bookstore each week.

Linda Sullivan is an avid reader and wants to inspire you to become one, too. For more recommendations or to talk books, reach out to her at thebookwhisperertn@gmail.com. She can also be found @thebookwhisperertn on Instagram.

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