Prologue: a pleasant stop in Memphis
New lives in "that land of promise" (1716-July 1820)
Emily
and a triumph and tragedy (August 1820-December 1828)
The petticoat war (January 1829-August 1831)
The rising politician (September 1831-December 1835)
"Death could not extinguish the light of her spirit" (December 1835-August 1841)
Elizabeth-and Polk and Texas! (September 1841-August 1844)
"The most important mission" (September 1844-March 1845)
"Donelson will have the honor of this important deed" (March 1845-July 1845)
The fruits of annexation (July 1845-February 1848)
Marztage (February 1848-November 1849)
"If A.J. Donelson does not please the Democratic Party, who can ...?" (December 1849-December 1851)
An obstacle to harmony (December 1851-May 1855)
Fillmore and Donelson! (June 1855-November 1856)
Bitter twilight (November 1856-June 1871)
Epilogue: the family and the legacy.