New Denver History Books by Phil Goodstein

Book It!

The Denver History Index is Phil Goodstein’s new volume (Denver: New Social Publications, 2013; vi + 444 pp. ISBN 0–9742264–8–3. $34.95. illustrations, index). It has everything in it. Or so it seems. This is a compilation of his 19 other books on Denver, being a comprehensive list of the topics on which he has written. Besides having a location index of where crucial events have occurred, it includes a glossary of commonly used terms and abbreviations. Additionally, it contains an autobiographical statement tracing how he moved from studying European socialism to Denver history. His political views come out in a chapter on the Naysayer. This is a monthly, two-page sheet he has issued since 1988. In going through that section of The Denver History Index, the reader gets a capsule review of the controversies which have convulsed the Mile High City over the past 25 years. The book is a crucial reference work for anyone seeking to understand Denver’s past and present.

In contrast to this study, packed with references and minimal graphics, there is the copiously illustrated The Lumber Baron Inn: Denver’s Mystery Mansion (Denver: New Social Publications, 2013; vi + 92 pp. ISBN 0–9742264–9–1. $19.99. index).

In this short work, which he was commissioned to write, Goodstein probes the bed and breakfast at West 37th Avenue and Bryant Street. The inn embodies the city. Once the home of an elite contractor, it was later something of the Mile High center of the international communist conspiracy. In recent years, besides being a bed and breakfast, the Lumber Baron Inn has been an events center. It has especially emphasized murder mystery dinners. The lodge has also roped in those who believe there is some legitimacy or substance to ghost hunters with their fancy technological equipment and ability to see spirits in fuzzy images.

Walter Keller, the owner of the Lumber Baron Inn has overseen the production of the study.

Goodstein will speak on the books on:

Sunday, November 3, 3:00 PM.

Broadway Book Mall, (303) 744-2665

200 South Broadway (at Cedar Avenue)

Friday, November 8, 5:00-7:30 pm.

Lumber Baron Inn, (303) 477-8205

2555 West 37th Avenue (at Bryant Street)

(This is a reception that will include a magic show.)

Monday, November 18, 7:30 PM.

Colfax Tattered Cover, (303) 322-7727

Colfax and Elizabeth Street

Saturday, November 30; 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Castle Marne, (303) 331-0621

1572 Race Street

Tuesday, December 3, 6:00 PM

The Gardens at St. Elizabeth, (303) 964-2000

2835 West 32nd Avenue

(the highrise two blocks east of Federal Boulevard)

The Denver History Index lists for $34.95. Mail order copies are available for $32.50, tax and post paid, from New Social Publications; Box 18206; Denver 80218. The Lumber Baron Inn goes for $19.99. The price is $17.50 via mail order. Both together are $45.00. Internet addicts can go through Capitol Hill Books website. For more information call (303) 333–1095.