So What

Why John Quincy Adams Is *Deeply*underrated

In this episode the hosts discuss the upcoming book on John Quincy Adams, arguing that his true legacy lies in his lifelong public service rather than his brief, contested presidency. They highlight Adams’s unique resume—witness to the Battle of Bunker Hill, early diplomatic appointments by George Washington, and later service in Congress alongside Abraham Lincoln—positioning him as a bridge between the Revolutionary era and the Civil War. Guest author Bob, a touring musician turned historian, explains how his love of research and a disciplined road‑schedule allowed him to write the biography, and they explore the 1824 election’s “House of Representatives” victory and its modern parallels. The conversation underscores Adams’s post‑presidential work, including his anti‑slavery advocacy, as evidence of his status as America’s greatest public servant.