Interesting and well-written, but ponderous biography of the Senator from Massachusetts who fought tirelessly for abolition and civil rights for Blacks. Sumner was unimpeachable in his moral character, but conceited and totally self-absorbed. He was a Republican, instrumental in the development of the party, but he fought with Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson and Ulysses S. Grant, the three Presidents during his term in office. In the end, he was recognized by almost everyone as a great man.