James & Dolley Madison

In 1794, a young widow, Dolley Payne Todd, wrote her friend: "Thou must come to me ... the great little Madison has asked ... to see me this evening." That night, Dolley met James Madison. After a whirlwind courtship, she left her Quaker community and married the short, charismatic congressman from Virginia. Dolley became a constant and loving companion and, after James was elected president in 1808, she used her diplomatic skills and sense of style to make White House functions more popular than ever. James & Dolley Madison offers a behind-the-scenes look at this captivating couple, from James's struggles to avert war and the British invasion of Washington, D.C., to retirement at Montpelier and Dolley's role as hostess to the presidents. Book jacket.Ashby, Ruth is the author of 'James & Dolley Madison', published 2005 under ISBN 9780836857573 and ISBN 0836857577.