Portrait of a senator -- The prairie politician -- California -- The Titans' last stand -- The triumph of the little giant -- The first defeat -- The race for the Pacific -- The coming of the storm -- Riding the tempest -- In the light of history -- A realist in an emotional age -- The black Republicans -- Bleeding Kansas -- The pendulum swings back -- The second effort -- Nearing the crisis -- Douglas and Buchanan -- 'Old obliquity' -- Buchaneers and black Republicans -- The little giant takes charge -- The great debates -- The aftermath of victory -- The struggle with the ultras -- The Northwest asserts itself -- On to Charleston -- The death of a party -- The conservatives awake -- The second bolt -- The campaign of 1860 -- The cotton states secede -- Lincoln rejects compromise -- Holding Lincoln's hat -- Death of a hero.