An outstanding biography of Madden and Summerville. I can remember watching many games broadcast by this duo. The story was riveting, and I found I could not stop until I finished the book. Some biography books that go out of the way to destroy the character they are presenting. This book did not. The author did not hide the flaws, but nor did the author destroy the men. The book showed a lot of behind-the-scenes stories to provide the history of how the duo became so great. There will never be a pair of announcers like Maddon or Summerall, ones who made the common sports fan to feel appreciated and part of the action. A great read for all sports fans!

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Rich Podolsky masterfully accounts what made this team tick in his book “Madden and Summerall: How They Revolutionized NFL Broadcasting.”

With first-hand interviews and research from other books, Podolsky, a former writer for CBS Sports, comprehensively details a broadcasting run as circuitous as a John Madden tangent with the grace and efficiency of a Pat Summerall summation on said digression.

If you love football, broadcasting, Madden and Summerall themselves, and miss the comfort of these two giants being in your living room for three hours on a Sunday,

“Madden and Summerall” will make you feel as if they never left.

Thank you NetGalley and Globe Pequot Publishing Group for an e-copy of MADDEN & SUMMERALL to review.

I rate MADDEN & SUMMERALL five out of five stars.

Madden & Summerall is a poignant examination of what many would argue was the greatest football broadcast team in TV history. Author Rich Podolsky provides abbreviated biographies of both Pat Summerall and John Madden, one a former NFL player, the other a former NFL Coach, prior to the men joining in the television booth for the first time in 1975. It was a partnership from broadcast heaven, and anyone who had the pleasure of listening to these two giants on Sundays call NFL games will enjoy this look back at a time when television sports came of age.

While football was common to these two men in fact they were very different people. Summerall had a good career in the NFL as a player before he became a broadcaster and eventually the voice of every major sports event broadcast on CBS. Madden also played, but injuries prevented any career in professional football until he began working as a coach. Summerall was an alcoholic, and he did a good job hiding his problem for years. Madden was a football coach who knew nothing about television or broadcasting, but was a good student and found a strong mentor in Pat Summerall.

The book is full of stories that will have you laughing and remembering some of the great plays in NFL history. The prose is far from elegant, and there is plenty of coarse language. But it is a delightful read for those of us who made Sunday afternoons appointment television. There are some nice photographs of the principals throughout the book although most favor Madden and his family.

I want to thank Rich Podolsky, Lyons Books, and NetGalley for the opporunity to review this new book. I attest this is my own original work.

Rich Podolsky's latest offering, a vibrant celebration of two broadcasting titans, delivers precisely what a standout summer read should: engaging prose, fascinating history, and a generous helping of humor. Far more than just a chronicle of John Madden and Pat Summerall's iconic partnership, this book serves as an indispensable primer on the evolution of NFL television broadcasting. It’s a must-read for any sports broadcasting enthusiast eager to delve into the careers of two of the very best.

What truly elevates this book is Rich's privileged access and personal connection to John Madden. This insider perspective injects the narrative with a wealth of fresh anecdotes and unique insights, enriching the reading experience without ever feeling self-serving. Rather than a linear, day-by-day account of their time together, the book thoughtfully lays the groundwork, dedicating its initial half to setting the stage and tracing the individual journeys that brought Madden and Summerall to their legendary on-air pairing. Readers seeking a minute-by-minute transcript of their broadcasts will find a different, though equally rewarding, experience here. While specific "Pat said this, then John said this" moments are present and delightful, the book prioritizes a broader, more contextual understanding of their impact.

Ultimately, this is the hallmark of a truly compelling sports book. It’s a swift, captivating read that simultaneously serves as a conduit for learning, offering valuable insights into the formative years of a cultural phenomenon. Highly recommended for its entertainment value and its unexpected educational depth.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled programing: "Murder...She Wrote."

What a wonderful book which entertained and educated me. I spent much of the 80s in the US and was a massive aficionado of the NFL and particularly the dream commentary partnership of the immortal Pat Summerall and John Madden.

This book brought back so many evocative memories of great games and great fun, wit, expertise and repartee in the commentary box.

The book is a thorough deep dive into both men’s careers, the problems they faced and how they developed into the great team that they were.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a lot too.

Highly recommended.