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It is difficult to remember when I was not fascinated with the life of Edward Bunker. From my earliest years I wanted to return to Bunkerville. I loved the family reunions and the feeling of belonging to such a great family. In the early 1960s I made copies of every note, reference in books or articles that mentioned Edward. I decided that one mission in my life would be to write a book about Edward. Through the years the responsibilities of career, family and other assignments never allowed me the freedom to research as I wanted. Then a few years ago I decided that if I did not undertake a serious effort my life would pass incomplete. As I studied and searched, history began to open up for me. I found great treasures of information that I had never seen before. Some of the information I found was delightful, but some of it raised questions. Suddenly I was faced with a dilemma: Could I be historically honest without including a discussion of all that I found? Can we modify history to suit our own desires, blinding ourselves to a more clear understanding, and sentencing us to repeat errors of the past? Some items from Edward's life may seem controversial by today's standards, and yet he included them with his autobiography; could I do less? The more I explored the more I realized that research into the life of Edward Bunker could well be a never-ending task. I finally made a decision to publish all that I had, hoping that relatives and friends will come forward with more information about Edward's life and times so that in a subsequent edition a fuller disclosure can be made. I want to thank my wife, Diane, for all her support and input. No better editor and independent voice could be found. I thank my father, Elvin, who is a stalwart Bunker who would have been born in Bunkerville if it hadn't been that he was a twin and better medical help was available in St. George. Thanks also to my grandfather, Ezra, he is the classic Bunker. Every-where I go the family refers with fondness to "Uncle Ezra." Lastly, I hope this little book will help demonstrate to the reader
how committment and leadership sustained Edward through the
vicissitudes of life. I would caution the reader to not judge
Edward by general standards of the world. As you read this book
you will marvel at the hardships endured. But as we all face trials
and tribulation in life, we can draw strength from Edward and
know that we too can overcome great obstacles.
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