There are few biographies of eminent Kentuckians whose major activities came after the Civil War. Consequently, every possible effort has been made to consult all sources of information available on Simon Bolivar Buckner -- preface.

Ancestry and childhood --West Point days and the Mexican War -- Civil and business life -- Attempted neutrality in Kentucky -- Neutrality abandoned -- Confederate concentration at Bowling Green -- Pro-Donelson activities in Kentucky -- Fighting on the Cumberland -- Confederate disaster at Donelson -- Surrender, imprisonment, and exchange -- Munfordville, Perryville, Mobile -- East Tennessee, Chickamauga, Chattanooga -- Bragg-Buckner controversy -- Difficulties in Trans-Mississippi -- Exile from Kentucky and return -- Winning the Kingsbury Suit -- Visit to Grant -- Election to governorship -- Continuation of governorship -- Making a constitution -- Closing years.