'This new biography by Sean Jacobs, based on years of research, explores Neville Bonner's hardscrabble beginnings and rise to become Australia's first Indigenous federal parliamentarian. Despite a difficult start, and only a year of formal schooling, Bonner turned discrimination and setback into success, overcoming hard days in northern New South Wales and Queensland to represent Queensland as a Liberal Senator for 12 years in the national parliament (1971 - 1983). Bonner's towering dignity to be a full participant in Australian society, and his constant capacity to see the good in all Australians, make him not only a great Indigenous Australian but one of our greatest Australians.' (Publication summary)