"Using newly uncovered troves of letters at the University of Virginia, Chadwick has been able to reconstruct the details of the Madisons' personal and political lives. Based on this archive, the author argues that our fourth president--the architect of the Constitution--owed much of his success to the political savvy of his wife. And Dolley, through her many social skills, created the dynamic role of First Lady that we know today"-- Provided by publisher.

Saving George Washington in a city on fire -- Opposites attract : the unlikely meeting of James Madison and Dolley Todd -- The happy groom retires from public life -- Return to Montpelier, 1796 -- Montpelier to Washington, DC : the making of a public man -- A new world : the Madisons arrive in Washington -- The Madisons as social lions -- The Louisiana Purchase : America becomes a giant -- The veteran Secretary of State -- The battles with Britain -- Mister President -- A new administration and a new couple -- The never-ending dispute with Great Britain -- The ever-changing America -- War looms everywhere over America -- The first days of the War of 1812 -- The war years : Dolley -- The early years of the war -- War : land and sea -- The Montpelier of the president : the summer White House -- Into the war's stretch -- Home to Montpelier : retirement -- A new life amid the forests -- Payne Todd : "The serpent in the garden of Eden" -- The Madisons : slavery and stormy years -- Dolley : triumph, tragedy, and history.