These are powerful stories that weave both family and history into one cloth. I have seen her perform some of them. They live equally in the performance and on the page.

If you are a storyteller, if you are interested in portraying historic characters, if you like good writing--then this slim volume is for you. Goodman creates six characters drawn from the strong women of her southwestern Virginia childhood mountain roots. Each tale can stand alone, but together they form a sga of the mountains that shaped the six lives. The clear, srtong voices created by Goodman's pen lifts the women from any stereotypical stigmas. They are very real, some, eerily real. Warning: Despite it's division into six parts,do not expect to be able to put this work down and pick it up again later: Each story is complete, but the power of Goodman's writing hold you until all six tales are read and you will ache for more. As a read-aloud it has even more power. Her ability to make the story "live" in two worlds is a testament to her poetic abiliteis and skill as a storyteller.

Daughters of the Appalachians: Six Unique Women Author: Linda Goodman Publisher: Overmountain Press 1999 Review ©Beth Surdut 2000 As the best storytellers do, writer/performer Linda Goodman seasons her tales with the honey and vinegar of life. "Daughters of the Appalachians: Six Unique Women" is a collection of first person accounts molded from insights and stories culled from Goodman's family and community in the mountains and hollers of Virginia. That she speaks in the voices of Appalachian women adds a layer of learning for those of us who grew up elsewhere, but yearning and basic gut emotions intertwined with strength and self-esteem are universal. Goodman's women may not take long to meet, but they will make a home in your memory. I have a clear and painful picture of Harlene's Daddy kicking that dog. I am so pleased that Sara Jane found a good man to love. I just don't know how I feel about that crazy girl who murdered the little boy. I have attended and reviewed many storytelling performances and spent the last year producing an oral history by a man who tells a good story but is far from a professional storyteller. As a performer Linda Goodman becomes the very characters she writes about; as a writer she presents their voices just as convincingly. I can assure readers that Ms. Goodman is an extraordinarily creative professional who deserves to be heard. This talented writer should not be pigeonholed. Parallels could be drawn to certain genres of popular Latin American literature where the boundaries between the dead and the living are not so stringently drawn, where dreams and reality mesh, and desire overcomes circumstance. Her stories may begin in the South, but her compass points to the territory of human understanding.

How can you describe a book which touches you at so many levels? First it is a good story that forces you to reevaluate everyday life and things you take for granted. Then it show you how the powers of this world manipulate us to make our own minds our worst enemies but the book does not leave us there. "Secret" takes us on a journey of liberation and on a no-holds barred battle for freedom and justice. The reader clearly sees that there are some things we must do for ourselves. On the surface, one might think Secret was a Black book but it is as universal as Herman Hesse's Sidhartha or Homer's epic tale, the "Odyssey." You read it knowing that it is cutting through our deception with the authority of a Holy Book, yet it is not preachy. We are co-adventurers with the main character Zafir. We see the truth for ourselves, discover with him, moment by moment. I recommend The Secret of Freedom to anyone who is trying to make sense of this world and would like an uncompllicated but clear account. Written before the movie, "The Matrix," it reflects a similar Philosophy, while showing us that the power to break free is ours already. You will read The Secret of Freedom again and again.

If I could write 1,000 words here about Kitabu's book Secret I would. However, I can't even put what I feel about his book into one sentence. This book is so many things in one, that you just sit back after reading it a say one word, "Wow." I very much wish I could convey my thoughts into words for this book, but I don't think they have words for what I feel. I was so moved. Thanks for another very well written book Kitabu.

A lovely mountain-mist prose, exciting insight, race, discovery, self, freedom: these are his tools. The result is The Secret of Freedom.

I am a journalist who met Kitabu while he was in Jamaica and had an opportunity to review his book for a national paper....

Extending beyond our 'limitations' Secret beautifully and almost poetically defines the idea that self is a great thing, individual and untouchable -- a core that makes the externals (like skin colour) irrelevant.

Written with such self-assured insight that you begin to feel: "Right, RIGHT, that's IT!", Secret offers a gently prodding look at the old problems. It is exciting to walk with Zafir through his discoveries that freedom lies within himself, and that the imprisoned can be free, even while those who imprison can be chained. The 'secret' isn't a secret at all, but something that is known if you make any attempt to find it within yourself: freedom is the acknowledgment of self, that untouchable core. And Kitabu communicates all this in a simple style that offers a greater vitality to the strength of these truths.

The book is a communion with the reader. You feel the freedom here, than read about it, you become Zafir. I cannot think of a better tribute to an author.

It quite obviously doesn't hurt that the author is a Zen practitioner and martial arts expert brought up in a Christian home, who has studied and published poetry.

His work is a blend of all these, and adds a behind the scenes richness to Secret...

Well written book on training good manners to the family dog using positive, motivational methods. I recommend to my students to supplement my basic obedience class.

This book analize the different caracters of each zodiacs signs, you can find the general caracters of the signs behavior and later explain in each people, like woman, man, child, boss and worker, you can find all that you want about the different humans behavior by the zodiac sign eye, they explains them feelings, what did they like or not, the best and the worst about of each zodiac signs, how do they look phisically and psicologically with logic, this book leave you without any questions

Linda and I share the same publisher. I had the priviledge of reading Gooberz before most of the country even knew of it. She is an exquisite writer and visionary who literally lived in the mountains and contemplated the deep things of life. Gooberz's tale of love found and lost was drawn from the depths of her own suffering. It was not written with ink but with tears and blood. Though she was famous as a recluse, we shared a common love of poetry, Zen and other spiritual gifts, so she opened her heart to me. Her writing has a beauty and a melody which belies its depth, but I knew she suffered in secret. We often talked on the phone and I visited her in her hideaway. To her many fans I say, if you understood Linda and Gooberz, you know she has not gone away. You're just on the other side of the dream. She wrote the introduction to my book, "The Secret of Freedom," and we had a grand time sharing our visions. Her works are still treasures for anyone. Gooberz is a tour de force...and as I write, a part of Linda Goodman writes through me. I am grateful that she had the dedication to produce such a colossal work but still found time to let me into her intimate circle. Read her. Give her books as gifts. Your friends will thank you.

Vernon Kitabu Turner

Author/The Secret of Freedom and Soul Sword:The Way and Mind of a Warrior

I just love Gooberz by Linda Goodman. It's like a bio for everyone! I couldn't put it down. I cried and laughed when I read it. Such a gifted person. Don't let it get out of print! A must for everyone's library.

Gooberz, by Linda Goodman, is an excellent book, no matter what you are looking for. The philosopher, the occultist, the lover, and the mystery fan will all love it! Gooberz questions the way we live, the way we worship, and our very concept of existence in a delightful and heart-warming way. This is the spiritual mystery love novel that should be on everybody's bookshelf.

This book describes how the 12 signs of the zodiac relate romantically with each other, from both the male and female perspective (for example, in the Leo-Scorpio section, Linda Goodman will describe how a female Scorpio gets along with a male Leo, and vice versa). It my first glimpse into traditional astrology, and as such, it was useful for its time, as a first glimpse into astrological "types" (or stereotypes). However, as I continued to delve into astrology and my understanding of it increased, I increasingly found it wanting. First, Goodman's characterization of the astrological types is by necessity highly stereotyped. The reason people are so complex is because they are more than their individual sun signs; the signs for the moon and ascendant, for example, are just as influencial regarding how people respond emotionally-- not to mention the romance and sex planets, Mars and Venus, which are very important for this kind of a book! ... Of course, one cannot blame Goodman for her stereotyping, as she could not consider all these aspects in a book that only deals with the basics. However, and this is the second point, even allowing it to be so, I still find her characterization of the signs overtly simplistic, sometimes slipping into something that appears a little superficial, even silly.

If ...Goodman's book is in fact a superficial skimming over how all the signs interact, and probably did not require all the text she used in describing the relationships, especially as much of it is her own interpretation, which is sometimes, as I said, just too superficial.

...Otherwise, this book will introduce you to all the stereotypes you wish to entertain about the signs and how they interact; but really, not to much more.

Anyone who is sick of watered-down astrological interpretations of their relationships will love "Love Signs". With this book, Linda Goodman really explores the relationships between people of all twelve sun signs.

She does not just reveal behavioral quirks that you can expect from your partner or friend (or whatever): she also explains them. Unlike some other astrologers, who believe that negative aspects doom a relationship, Linda thinks that all relationships have a chance of working out. All her advice is positive and constructive.

"Love Signs" is the first Linda Goodman book to hint strongly about karma and past lives. Though she does not explain in depth in "Love Signs" how past incarnations with someone affect your present relationship, she does drop a lot of valuable advice. (For a deeper look at karma, read "Star Signs".)

This book is full of other esoteric secrets, some half-revealed, others stoutly stated. They may be shocking to many. To people who are really searching for truth, reading "Love Signs" is like taking part in a great quest or treasure hunt.

Finally, Linda takes astrology to a new level in this book. Some people think that astrology only predicts the future, explains the past or reveals one's personality. With the "Twelve Mysteries of Love", Linda proves them wrong. These twelve mysteries are meditations on each of the twelve sun signs and on the whole astrological wheel. Linda wants us to let astrology make us more aware of our destiny and of our ties to others.

"Love Signs" is not an ordinary astrology book. It was written in an age of desperate spiritual need, for people who are searching for truth. It has a higher purpose than just to make money for the author or to superficially enlighten the reader. It is meant to light the path of love for all Earthlings who may read it.

I love everything about this book -- the extra charts she provided, the wonderful stories, the positive attitude -- but especially the compassion Linda Goodman projects to every reader with every word she's written. (Being a Pisces, I am impressed by this quality most of all!) When I meet new people, I check out the descriptions of their signs and they are 9 times out of 10 dead-on accurate. (Usually, I've got my birth dates mixed up if it's wrong!) I've read Sun Signs (also a great book), but this is my dog-eared and beloved bible -- buy it today!

I have purchased several copies of this book over the past few years, but every time I loan it to someone because I want them to read a certain part, amazingly they never return it. Then I have to buy another copy!

Linda Goodman has an amazing talent for explaining astrology in a humorous way in which we can all relate and understand. I refer to this book a lot when I'm trying to "figure someone out". I personally have a library of Astrology books, but this is the one I most often refer to, followed in a close second by Linda Goodman's "Love Signs", and a puple book entitled "The only astrology book you'll ever need".

For anyone who is interested in astrology, even if they don't know a lot about it, this is a good book to start with!

This may sound terrible, but I've always believed that the reason this book has always been such a great introduction to astrology for those who know nothing about it, is that it gives them an answer to the question, "What's in it for me?"

"Linda Goodman's Sun Signs" is primarily about the usefulness of knowing the twelve Sun signs. A man interested in a Taurus woman can read about the best ways to woo her. A woman being courted by a Pisces man can read a pretty accurate description of what kind of husband he will be. Parents expecting a Libra baby or raising a Sagittarian teenager can read about the different parenting styles each child needs. Someone about to work for an Aquarian boss can read about the kind of shocks to prepare for. A manager at a loss over a Gemini employee can become enlightened about the nature of the Twins.

In her humorous, witty style, Linda Goodman gives the Sun sign information to readers and leaves the application of this new knowledge up to them. If they like, readers can stick to making simple decisions, like selecting Christmas presents (the Scorpio child who likes to probe the mysteries of science gets the chemistry set; the Cancerian man who likes to remember happy moments gets the camera; the Leo woman who adores being pampered gets the gift certificate for a facial at the most expensive spa you can find).

Yet the main reason for being familiar with the twelve Sun signs is still so that we can become more compassionate with others and more enlightened when it comes to ourselves. Of course, one's Sun sign is not the only determinant of one's personality and actions, as Goodman explains in her Introduction, but it is accurate 80 to 90% of the time. Still, the greatest determinant of all remains one's Higher Self, which is above any natal chart. To those with free will, the stars never compel; they can only incline.

So to those who ask, "What's in it for me?" this book's enduring reply is, "That's up to you."

For all its good points, "Linda Goodman's Sun Signs" is not half as illuminating as "Linda Goodman's Love Signs", which brilliantly discusses the broad-spectrum karma of each individual Sun sign and each Sun sign combination. I highly recommend both books.

I was skeptical about astrology until I read this book.It converted me, and I got into a serious study of the subject.When I read about my sun sign (Aquarius) in this book I was bowled over by Linda's penetrating observations.Astrology tells us much more about personality than psychology ever can, especially when it is made so accessible by Linda.She writes in a very readable manner, and has an enormous appreciation of the quirks and foibles of human nature.Linda gives generous servings of a delicious sense of humor.For example, many Librans, she says, have dimpled knees, "but be careful.Very few girls will believe you when you tell them that you were staring at their knees 'because I want to see if you were born in October.'"Linda presents a rundown of how males and females of each sign act in a romantic situation.Men can learn much from this book because Linda has the knack of showing the more subtle aspects of relationship from a female point of view.For example, one way, she says, of attracting a Cancer man is to "Wear one of those bracelets made of foreign coins.That will strike two sensitive chords - travel to faraway places - and cash." In the book are many helpful hints for lovers, tailored for each sun sign.As Linda says in her introduction, she believes people can be more tolerant of others if they understand them through astrology.This book is informative and a joy to read.The world today is too conformist.Linda makes you realize how wonderful and wacky people can be, and we need all people to enrich life by living out their star-spun destinies.

These cards are a small reminder of Linda Goodman's Star Signs. It is a great aid to assisting you in reconnecting to the basis of natural laws, they just use different names - ie Mercury, Venus, etc. I have used other numerology but this one fits right in with so many things. Take for instance the WTC attack. This happened on the 11th day and if you read what the number means you will see that this world's energy runs on an orderly method and these cards hit close to home. Remember that these cards like anything else we humans use can be abused. They are an aid, a guide and as being human, the road our destiny takes is really our final choice, and these cards assist us to make spiritual choices based on an ancient knowledge that is being remembered.

Star Cards is a set of metaphysical divination cards inspired by the astrological teachings of Linda Goodman, with written materials compiled and written by Crystal Bush and illustrated by Frank Riccio. Any with a special interest in Linda Goodman will consider this set an important purchase.

For fans of Linda Goodman this is a real treat! I followed LInda's books and was overjoyed when the Star Cards came out. They're exquisite, and follow Linda's numerology teaching by the ancient Chaldeans. I found the official website dedicated to LInda's teachings at Lindagoodman.net where you can buy things mentioned in Linda's books. These cards are beautiful and use the magic of numbers to help illuminate the way ahead. I love them!

I discovered this book in 1990 when I was 14. It changed my life. It made me really want to live. It gave me hope at a very bleak time in my life. I'm not sure if everything in it is true, but you'll want it to be true. Half-believing its mind-blowing messages are enough! Especially important are its messages on negative thinking and lexigrams. It will lead you to self-discovery as no other book can. I believe it is truly inspiring. There is one thing that deeply troubles me - did Linda really die 3 years ago? That makes me so sad! If anyone has any information verifying or contradicting this information, PLEASE E-MAIL ME! I need to know because reading this book has been one of the most important things that has ever happened to me. Also, did anyone try that color diet? If so, did it work for you? E-mail me. Thanks

American poet "Mary Alice" Goodman, as Linda was known all her life to her friends and family, was certainly a much-needed prophet in our time. Linda found that the most profound method of divination lay not only in astrology, yet in the intersection of astrology, lexigrams, and numerology. She explains this all in detail in this most important book, Star Signs.

One does not have to "believe" in anything to buy and read and treasure this book. If you are on a path to enlightenment, as we all are, and you certainly are if you are reading this...no matter the religious denomination, spiritual bent, or magickal background from which you come, this book, as no other ever has nor ever will, will increase your divinatory abilities, and surprise even you, should you be a skeptic.

If you are considering buying this book, I assure you that the day will come when you will do so. And Review #4 is accurate when it mentions that anything since Linda's death in October 1995 which is published post-mortem under her name, is NOT her own work. Relationship Signs, and anything published in her name since 1996, is merely a product of a corporation called LGE, and not only a shameless exploitation of her good name, yet also very inaccurate astrology by non-astrologers, and so much New Age hooey of which Linda never took part. Avoid it. Buy your pre-1996 Linda Goodman books here at Amazon, or used at places like eBay or your local used bookstore.

Linda believed in access to the magic of the Universe by us all. She said that there are shortcuts to enlightenment, no matter what your path. She called these shortcuts...books! I assure you that Linda's books, more than any other books out there, are the shortcuts that will help you realize that enlightenment is indeed a path that we must all walk alone, unique for us all. Linda's books are the truest yellow-brick road I have ever found, and Star Signs is indeed a steppingstone to understanding yourself, others, and the messages that we don't always see...without a little help from a poet and a prophet.

after clutching at 'star signs' as the ultimate guide to materialized peanuts, cold frequencies, quirky avatars, skinny colours, purple plates, soulful numbers, melodic gems, frutarian cats ..... and IMMORTALITY!!!! i've just found out that linda goodman is DEAD at the measly age of 70!!!!!!!! i'm shattered!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The first time I read this collection of poems I couldn't have been more than 12, it made such an impression I tracked it down recently and read it again. A really interesting, esoteric collection of poems with a mild astrological influence. If you enjoy poetry, teary-eyed stuff that's modern and unusual, you'll like this.

Venus Trines @ Midnight, although originally published in 1970 is ready for those of us in 1998. I've looked for it for years and in 2 days it was at my door. Astrologically minded people will love it as well as those who know nothing about Astrology. Her words flow as water in a brook. Enjoy!