A biography of the much misunderstood sixth president of the United States reveals the many sides of this forward-thinking man whose progressive vision helped shape the course of America.

Hooks of steel, 1767-1778 -- A European education, 1778-1783 -- Slow voyage home, 1783-1787 -- Most beautiful and beloved, 1787-1794 -- Remember your characters, 1794-1797 -- Begin anew the world, 1797-1801 -- The white worm, 1801-1804 -- Fiery ordeal, 1805-1808 -- Paradise of fools, 1809-1814 -- My wandering life, 1814-1817 -- The terrible sublime, 1817-1821 -- The Macbeth policy, 1821-1825 -- No bed of roses, 1825-1829 -- The uses of adversity, 1829-1833 -- A suitable sphere of action, 1834-1839 -- Adhering to the world, 1839-1843 -- The summit of my ambition, 1844-1848.