James M. Bradley
@jamesmbradley.bsky.social
Historian, documentary editor (not the filmmaking kind), educator, Yankees fan, author of "Martin Van Buren: America's First Politician," published by Oxford University Press.
Pinned
I'm thrilled to announce that my next book, a biography of Thomas Cooper (1759-1839), has been accepted by LSU Press as part of its distinguished Southern Biography Series. Cooper was ...
Hudson Valley/Capital Region people: I'll be speaking tomorrow at the Chatham (N.Y.) Public Library, 1:30 pm, about the great political backstory behind the Erie Canal, whose bicentennial we'll be celebrating next month. Hope to see you there ...
September 26, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Hudson Valley/Capital Region people: I'll be speaking tomorrow at the Chatham (N.Y.) Public Library, 1:30 pm, about the great political backstory behind the Erie Canal, whose bicentennial we'll be celebrating next month. Hope to see you there ...
I'm thrilled to announce that my next book, a biography of Thomas Cooper (1759-1839), has been accepted by LSU Press as part of its distinguished Southern Biography Series. Cooper was ...
August 30, 2025 at 2:26 PM
I'm thrilled to announce that my next book, a biography of Thomas Cooper (1759-1839), has been accepted by LSU Press as part of its distinguished Southern Biography Series. Cooper was ...
It's flattering to see that the Sex and the City people think that middle-aged historians look like this shirtless:
August 1, 2025 at 2:16 PM
It's flattering to see that the Sex and the City people think that middle-aged historians look like this shirtless:
I really enjoyed being a guest on Evan Axelbank's excellent history podcast, though I revealed a few embarrassing childhood stories about presidential figurines and American Heritage books: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1... @evanaxelbank.bsky.social
#182: James Bradley -
Podcast Episode · Axelbank Reports History and Today · 07/29/2025 · 49m
podcasts.apple.com
July 30, 2025 at 2:44 PM
I really enjoyed being a guest on Evan Axelbank's excellent history podcast, though I revealed a few embarrassing childhood stories about presidential figurines and American Heritage books: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1... @evanaxelbank.bsky.social
And I was thrilled to be a guest!
"In writing my biography of Van Buren, I did not explore [his alleged last words] much because:
(a) I’ll never get at the full truth
(b) I don’t care.”
Thrilled to have a guest post by @jamesmbradley.bsky.social!
alexiscoe.substack.com/publish/post...
(a) I’ll never get at the full truth
(b) I don’t care.”
Thrilled to have a guest post by @jamesmbradley.bsky.social!
alexiscoe.substack.com/publish/post...
Commanders-in-Heat VIII: Last Words (Barry's Version)
A guest post on Martin Van Buren's death.
alexiscoe.substack.com
July 29, 2025 at 9:14 PM
And I was thrilled to be a guest!
The only piece you'll ever read about unions, Martin Van Buren, Jerry Brown, Christopher Hitchens and Milton Friedman: jamesbradley.substack.com/p/when-the-l...
When the Left Was Laissez-Faire
A primer on politics and organized labor in the 1830s
jamesbradley.substack.com
June 14, 2025 at 1:08 PM
The only piece you'll ever read about unions, Martin Van Buren, Jerry Brown, Christopher Hitchens and Milton Friedman: jamesbradley.substack.com/p/when-the-l...
The Wikipedia entry on the presidential election of 1796 refers to John Adams as "Lucifer" and his wife as "Lilith," the "first human woman in existence, and the Queen of Hell." Need a laugh? Read this ...
May 25, 2025 at 3:17 PM
The Wikipedia entry on the presidential election of 1796 refers to John Adams as "Lucifer" and his wife as "Lilith," the "first human woman in existence, and the Queen of Hell." Need a laugh? Read this ...
On most days my role model is not another historian or writer but a fictional character. My new Substack post. jamesbradley.substack.com/p/my-worldan...
My World—and Welcome to It
What Walter Mitty has taught me about work habits
jamesbradley.substack.com
May 10, 2025 at 4:18 PM
On most days my role model is not another historian or writer but a fictional character. My new Substack post. jamesbradley.substack.com/p/my-worldan...
In my latest Substack I write about being a "best-selling author" and hitting the road to talk Van Buren: substack.com/inbox/post/1...
My Little Book Tour
On being a "best-selling author" and a celebrity for a day (or two)
substack.com
April 20, 2025 at 10:50 PM
In my latest Substack I write about being a "best-selling author" and hitting the road to talk Van Buren: substack.com/inbox/post/1...
Self-promotion feels a bit unseemly these days, but we must get on with our lives, of course.
I'll be speaking at Cumberland tonight, on MVB's 1848 run for president on the Free Soil ticket. You can watch on YouTube, 7pm CST, 8pm, EST. www.youtube.com/live/7WGyzFp...
I'll be speaking at Cumberland tonight, on MVB's 1848 run for president on the Free Soil ticket. You can watch on YouTube, 7pm CST, 8pm, EST. www.youtube.com/live/7WGyzFp...
Cynthia Van Buren Lecture Series
YouTube video by CumberlandU
www.youtube.com
April 9, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Self-promotion feels a bit unseemly these days, but we must get on with our lives, of course.
I'll be speaking at Cumberland tonight, on MVB's 1848 run for president on the Free Soil ticket. You can watch on YouTube, 7pm CST, 8pm, EST. www.youtube.com/live/7WGyzFp...
I'll be speaking at Cumberland tonight, on MVB's 1848 run for president on the Free Soil ticket. You can watch on YouTube, 7pm CST, 8pm, EST. www.youtube.com/live/7WGyzFp...
A new MVB biography was released a few weeks ago. The subtitle's illiterate and the text (from the sample I saw) isn't much better. The cover image looks nothing like him.
If this is what I suspect it is, I thought Amazon was cracking down on AI books?
If this is what I suspect it is, I thought Amazon was cracking down on AI books?
March 11, 2025 at 4:22 PM
A new MVB biography was released a few weeks ago. The subtitle's illiterate and the text (from the sample I saw) isn't much better. The cover image looks nothing like him.
If this is what I suspect it is, I thought Amazon was cracking down on AI books?
If this is what I suspect it is, I thought Amazon was cracking down on AI books?
Had a fun time chatting with Matt Chorley of the BBC this morning. He's the first interviewer to ask for my take on Trump and today's party system. Q&A is about 8 minutes. I come on at the 50:30 mark. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Matt Chorley - Nick chat, Paddy facts, wash your pan at home? - BBC Sounds
Nick Robinson joins Matt, plus Paddy O'Connell goes to PMQs.
www.bbc.co.uk
March 5, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Had a fun time chatting with Matt Chorley of the BBC this morning. He's the first interviewer to ask for my take on Trump and today's party system. Q&A is about 8 minutes. I come on at the 50:30 mark. www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Calling all Van Buren fans in the UK ... My book is now out in your country. MVB was a committed Anglophile, and I wrote a great deal about his time in London.
Also, I'll be interviewed on Matt Chorley's BBC show tomorrow morning, 9:30 EST. Here's the link: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Also, I'll be interviewed on Matt Chorley's BBC show tomorrow morning, 9:30 EST. Here's the link: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Radio 5 Live - Listen Live - BBC Sounds
Listen live to BBC Radio 5 Live on BBC Sounds
www.bbc.co.uk
March 4, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Calling all Van Buren fans in the UK ... My book is now out in your country. MVB was a committed Anglophile, and I wrote a great deal about his time in London.
Also, I'll be interviewed on Matt Chorley's BBC show tomorrow morning, 9:30 EST. Here's the link: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Also, I'll be interviewed on Matt Chorley's BBC show tomorrow morning, 9:30 EST. Here's the link: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Tonight I'll be talking at Cumberland University about MVB's run for president with the Free Soil Party in 1848. Don't live in Nashville? Don't worry! You can catch it on YouTube. 7pm CT, so it's 8pm on the east coast. Hope you can watch ... www.youtube.com/live/lt8N1KH...
Cynthia Van Buren Lecture Series
YouTube video by CumberlandU
www.youtube.com
February 17, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Tonight I'll be talking at Cumberland University about MVB's run for president with the Free Soil Party in 1848. Don't live in Nashville? Don't worry! You can catch it on YouTube. 7pm CT, so it's 8pm on the east coast. Hope you can watch ... www.youtube.com/live/lt8N1KH...
If, for some reason, you were preoccupied last night and missed my interview with Al Vuona on WICN, Worcester Public Radio, I have good news. It will be rebroadcast this evening at 6:30. Here's the link: wicn.org/shows/public...
Public Eye - 90.5 WICN Public Radio
Don’t look now but we’ve got our eye on it…“The Public Eye,” that is! From controversy to culture, this half-hour talk show will inform, enlighten and hopefully entertain you. This is where history co...
wicn.org
February 10, 2025 at 5:14 PM
If, for some reason, you were preoccupied last night and missed my interview with Al Vuona on WICN, Worcester Public Radio, I have good news. It will be rebroadcast this evening at 6:30. Here's the link: wicn.org/shows/public...
To all my fans in the Nashville area ...
We're one week away from @jamesmbradley.bsky.social's talk on Martin Van Buren's 1848 presidential campaign. What better way to spend Presidents' Day than attending the Spring 2025 Cynthia Van Buren Lecture at Cumberland University!
February 10, 2025 at 2:37 PM
To all my fans in the Nashville area ...
I see there's a new biography of James Alexander Hamilton coming out. This brave writer actually read his letters. She deserves special recognition for this. He had the worst handwriting—and my colleagues at @vanburenpapers.bsky.social will back me up on this. www.amazon.com/James-Alexan...
James Alexander Hamilton: Son of the American Revolution
James Alexander Hamilton: Son of the American Revolution [Wilcoxson, Samantha] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. James Alexander Hamilton: Son of the American Revolution
www.amazon.com
January 31, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I see there's a new biography of James Alexander Hamilton coming out. This brave writer actually read his letters. She deserves special recognition for this. He had the worst handwriting—and my colleagues at @vanburenpapers.bsky.social will back me up on this. www.amazon.com/James-Alexan...
I really enjoyed discussing my new book on Xavier Bonilla's terrific Converging Dialogues podcast. You can listen here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3...
#397 - The Life and Presidency of Martin Van Buren: A Dialogue with James M. Bradley
Podcast Episode · Converging Dialogues · 01/23/2025 · 1h 26m
podcasts.apple.com
January 24, 2025 at 7:13 PM
I really enjoyed discussing my new book on Xavier Bonilla's terrific Converging Dialogues podcast. You can listen here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/3...
The fine writer (and JQA biographer) James Traub gave my a book a nice write-up in the estimable Washington Monthly, a publication that comes out ... every two months. washingtonmonthly.com/2025/01/05/p...
Party Animal | Washington Monthly
Martin Van Buren, father of the Democrats, knew that the Founders were wrong about partisan politics.
washingtonmonthly.com
January 11, 2025 at 1:55 PM
The fine writer (and JQA biographer) James Traub gave my a book a nice write-up in the estimable Washington Monthly, a publication that comes out ... every two months. washingtonmonthly.com/2025/01/05/p...
The audio version of my book is out, and @paulwoodson.bsky.social's golden, sonorous narration is a sheer delight! (I know, I'm not exactly impartial here.) Now I know "Southwick" is pronounced "suth-ick." The info is here: rbmediaglobal.com/audiobook/97...
RBmedia | Martin Van Buren
Listen to the audiobook Martin Van Buren, written by James M. Bradley, narrated by Paul Woodson.
rbmediaglobal.com
January 7, 2025 at 2:36 PM
The audio version of my book is out, and @paulwoodson.bsky.social's golden, sonorous narration is a sheer delight! (I know, I'm not exactly impartial here.) Now I know "Southwick" is pronounced "suth-ick." The info is here: rbmediaglobal.com/audiobook/97...
I had a blast talking about MVB and early US history with @bobcrawfordbass.bsky.social and @bensawyer.bsky.social on their excellent Road to Now podcast. You can listen here: theroadtonow.com/episodes/mar...
Martin Van Buren: America’s First Politician w/ James M Bradley (#324) | The Road to Now
James M Bradley joins us to discuss Martin Van Buren's role in founding the Democratic Party and why he might be America's first politician.
theroadtonow.com
January 6, 2025 at 2:05 PM
I had a blast talking about MVB and early US history with @bobcrawfordbass.bsky.social and @bensawyer.bsky.social on their excellent Road to Now podcast. You can listen here: theroadtonow.com/episodes/mar...
This is the year I do it! Check in with me in 12 months.
January 1, 2025 at 4:03 PM
This is the year I do it! Check in with me in 12 months.
This is William Leuchtenburg. He has a new book out called Patriot Presidents, which I'm reading now. It's the first of a multivolume history of the presidency. He's 102. "I recognize that this project maybe be too ambitious," he writes. "But I am resolved to carry it through."
An inspiration.
An inspiration.
December 31, 2024 at 3:55 PM
This is William Leuchtenburg. He has a new book out called Patriot Presidents, which I'm reading now. It's the first of a multivolume history of the presidency. He's 102. "I recognize that this project maybe be too ambitious," he writes. "But I am resolved to carry it through."
An inspiration.
An inspiration.
I was 11 when Jimmy Carter was elected. It's the first POTUS campaign I have memories of. It was called late. My parents had sent me to bed since it was a school night. "Carter won!" I heard my father cry. I then went to sleep smiling, knowing my parents were happy.
December 29, 2024 at 10:55 PM
I was 11 when Jimmy Carter was elected. It's the first POTUS campaign I have memories of. It was called late. My parents had sent me to bed since it was a school night. "Carter won!" I heard my father cry. I then went to sleep smiling, knowing my parents were happy.