What they’re saying about Mornings with Madden…
“Bunger does an excellent job of balancing emotional storytelling with philosophical depth. The reflections on Madden as a father, husband, and friend are poignant, painting a picture of a man who, despite his fame, valued simplicity and genuine connection. His love for roadside diners, bad golf games, and his dogs are recounted with warmth and affection, which are likely to resonate with readers who admire Madden beyond his public persona.”
Oakland Magazine (read complete review)
“For Stan Bunger, though, [those conversations] were not only radio gold but a treasured friendship conducted over the airwaves where the two men put the world to rights. ‘The truth is, we were just playing it one day at a time, carrying on a long-running conversation,’ writes Bunger. ‘Only occasionally did we realize the depth of the connection between John and KCBS listeners.’”
Gavin Newsham, New York Post (read complete article)
“Stan Bunger has done his friend a great justice with this book. Bunger has allowed John Madden's stories to remain with everyone, Madden's grandkids included, through print and not lost to the radio waves of the past.”
David Taylor, equinoxx.info (read complete review)
“Through a difficult process that would test any author, beginning or otherwise, Bunger was able to collect the tapes of his interviews with Madden through various sources, and then had them transcribed without pulling out all of his gray hair. He then figured out a book outline that wove those 8:15 a.m. interviews throughout the text, prior to landing legendary quarterback Peyton Manning to write the book’s foreword.”
Dave Newhouse, The Ultimate Sports Guide (read complete article)
“One of Oakland’s most beloved sports figures is the subject of a new book written by a man who’s a legend himself. Mornings with Madden is a collection of the folksy on-air chats between legendary Raiders coach and NFL broadcaster John Madden and now retired KCBS radio anchor Stan Bunger.”
Ginny Prior, East Bay Times “Eye on the Hills” column (read complete column)
Stan appeared on KTVU’s Mornings on 2 to talk with Sal Castaneda about the book. (Click image to watch video)
Stan appeared on the Good Seats Still Available podcast.
KCBS Radio’s five-part series explored John Madden’s remarkable radio career. Here’s the October 11, 2024 segment.
Stan joined 95.7 The Game hosts Willard and Dibs to talk about the book at the worldwide launch event at Goal Line Studios. Click here to watch video.
“Bunger likens what were formally scheduled as morning interviews to something more akin to freestyle journeys; forays into ‘where are we going now,’ grassroots conversations that always opened up the room of the airwaves as we listeners felt as though we were right there with Madden, Bunger and another local Alameda (also retired) KCBS radio personality, sportscaster Steve Bitker.”
Larry Freeman, Alameda Neighborhoods News (read complete article)