I Was Carlos Castaneda by Martin Goodman

I Was Carlos Castaneda
The Afterlife Dialogues
by Martin Goodman

Paperback
240 pages
(April 2001)
Three Rivers Press
ISBN: 0609807633

Bookshelf Categories

Castaneda / Toltec

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Synopsis:

Book Description

€A marvelous book with rich teachings that particularly touch the heart of death -- and, thus, life itself.€--Thom Hartmann, author of The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight

Carlos Castaneda comes back from the dead in a true-life spiritual adventure story set in the French Pyrenees, Machu Picchu, the Peruvian Amazon, and the American Southwest.

Four months after his death, the world-renowned writer, anthropologist, and mystic Carlos Castaneda turns up in the French Pyrenees. He meets with writer Martin Goodman. His purpose? To lead Martin beyond the fear of death and the confusions of mortality, and to offer a clearer understanding of the ultimate wisdom -- the wisdom to live the rest of our days in full and conscious harmony with the living earth.

Martin Goodman is a gifted storyteller who has infused I Was Carlos Castaneda with literary verve and humor. When, at their first encounter, an incredulous Goodman confronts Castaneda with reports of his recent death, Castaneda replies wryly, €Details. . . mere details.€ And so the story begins.

Reviews:

If you like Paul Coelho ...

10/17/2001

Reviewer: Sam from Scotland

I suppose it's fair to compare this to Carlos Castaneda's own books. The writer Francis Huxley does that in his blurb in the book, saying the old (OK back from the dead) guy is in better form than ever.
I found this a thrilling read. It's masterful the way so much is managed so simply. I loved the journey into the Amazon and really woke to the writer's take on shamanism. I can see how some people might be against this book, especially as the writer nearly died in the middle of a shamanic war. People will do anything to defend their own patch.
If you like other spiritual adventure books (I'd compare this one to Paul Coelho's books for example, though I have enjoyed Castaneda's too) I'd say give this one a good try. It's changed my take on life and death a bit, made me feel a bit braver. Not bad in these troubled times.

sketchy...very sketchy

10/4/2001

Reviewer: B.W.

From the standpoint of marketing genius in the title and cover design (overall concepting the book) this work is admirable.
From the standpoint of revelling in the glory of an icon's memory to propel a mediocre writer's career, the work is disappointing.
I'm of the opinion that negative reviews should only be reserved for the most extreme cases, works like this - that leave such a bad taste in the mouth.
If I had written a book entitled, " I was Timothy Leary: The Afterlife Dialogues by Brian Wallace, Timothy Leary " I'd have trouble sleeping at night.
Castaneda had many personalities, and I'm convinced that Martin Goodman's was not one of the them.
Sorry.

Goodman Cashes in on Castaneda

9/19/2001

Reviewer: A reader from Knoxville, TN United States

I have read all of Castaneda's books for many years. This is clearly not related to him. I went into this read with the hope that there was really some link here, but was very disappointed. Clearly Goodman was spinning this imaginary tale to reel in all of the adoring fans of Castaneda. He did not do a very good job of pulling it off. Do not waste your time with this one.

wild!!

8/19/2001

Reviewer: Maria from Chicago

I chanced on this book - liked the green guy on the cover! - and all I knew about Carlos Castaneda is what I found in the introduction. I've gone on to read one of Castaneda's earlier (well you know what I mean, one of his from before he died and Martin Goodman the writer of this one came on the scene) ... I'll probably read more, but this book's where Carlos starts for me. He's one of those old people (well OK, more than old, back from the dead, but ...!) I'd like more of in my life ... he's got all the experience but he's not forcefeeding you all the time like he's the only real thing and if you don't learn from him you're stupid. He shows the writer, and in that way he showed me to, that his own life is where it can all happen, that real life is wilder than dreams if you can only let rip and go for it. True or not it's the kind of truth I want it my life ... this book doesn't let you settle for the everyday, it shows it's worth stretching for something bigger.

Carlos Castaneda doesn't live here anymore

7/31/2001

Reviewer: Thomas from Seattle, WA USA

If you are looking for Carlos, don't look here. Carlos Castaneda does not lead the author on a mystical journey, he doesn't lead him anywhere. He is not alive, has never been alive. The Carlos in this book is merely a literary device used to get the author from one mediocre story to the next. This is a cheap way to sell books.
The stories are only mildly interesting and Goodman draws hackneyed, tired, Christian conclusions from them. Goodman admits he didn't get to interview Carlos and has limited experience with Castaneda's works. This work would have, at least, sounded more authentic if he had read or met the man. When I finished reading it, I felt cheated.

Castaneda as I knew him

7/9/2001

Reviewer: Raul from Los Angeles

I am surprised at the grudges some readers here hold ... maybe envy? I knew Carlos Castaneda from two weekends of his teachings and from studying all his books and am very pleased to have this addition. It speaks to my life, and my dreams, in the way he has always done. More than ever perhaps. The teachings continue. Why does everybody have to deny everything Castaneda has ever done? Please do not deny yourselves a chance to read the lessons he has brought back to us from the other side of death.

A true Castaneda book!

7/7/2001

Reviewer: imaxa from New York

I keep a few books above my bed ... don't loan them, don't give them away, just have them there to dip into now and again. Castaneda's TALES OF POWER is one ... I've read all his books, some a few times. I've tried others in the Toltec school too ... some OK but none grabbed me. I WAS CARLOS CASTANEDA really did. It's like Castaneda for the 21st century, not some tired rehash of what he's already done. This Goodman's a great writer (better than Castaneda in my mind but then he had Castaneda as an example and teacher) ... yes Castaneda is different, but then I wouldn't trust him if her weren't for then the whole journey through the afterlife and back would have been for nothing. Real lessons here. Real counsel too. The book's a celebration of life here on this planet. I found I even dropped my fear of Central Park and have really gotten to appreciate the place as some rare slice of nature in the wake of this book. Definitely for my KEEPS shelf!

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Goodman Cashes in on Castaneda	9/19/2001
Reviewer: A reader from Knoxville, TN United States
I have read all of Castaneda's books for many years. This is clearly not related to him. I went into this read with the hope that there was really some link here, but was very disappointed. Clearly Goodman was spinning this imaginary tale to reel in all of the adoring fans of Castaneda. He did not do a very good job of pulling it off. Do not waste your time with this one.

wild!!	8/19/2001
Reviewer: Maria from Chicago
I chanced on this book - liked the green guy on the cover! - and all I knew about Carlos Castaneda is what I found in the introduction. I've gone on to read one of Castaneda's earlier (well you know what I mean, one of his from before he died and Martin Goodman the writer of this one came on the scene) ... I'll probably read more, but this book's where Carlos starts for me. He's one of those old people (well OK, more than old, back from the dead, but ...!) I'd like more of in my life ... he's got all the experience but he's not forcefeeding you all the time like he's the only real thing and if you don't learn from him you're stupid. He shows the writer, and in that way he showed me to, that his own life is where it can all happen, that real life is wilder than dreams if you can only let rip and go for it. True or not it's the kind of truth I want it my life ... this book doesn't let you settle for the everyday, it shows it's worth stretching for something bigger.

Castaneda as I knew him	7/9/2001
Reviewer: Raul from Los Angeles
I am surprised at the grudges some readers here hold ... maybe envy? I knew Carlos Castaneda from two weekends of his teachings and from studying all his books and am very pleased to have this addition. It speaks to my life, and my dreams, in the way he has always done. More than ever perhaps. The teachings continue. Why does everybody have to deny everything Castaneda has ever done? Please do not deny yourselves a chance to read the lessons he has brought back to us from the other side of death.

A true Castaneda book!	7/7/2001
Reviewer: imaxa from New York
I keep a few books above my bed ... don't loan them, don't give them away, just have them there to dip into now and again. Castaneda's TALES OF POWER is one ... I've read all his books, some a few times. I've tried others in the Toltec school too ... some OK but none grabbed me. I WAS CARLOS CASTANEDA really did. It's like Castaneda for the 21st century, not some tired rehash of what he's already done. This Goodman's a great writer (better than Castaneda in my mind but then he had Castaneda as an example and teacher) ... yes Castaneda is different, but then I wouldn't trust him if her weren't for then the whole journey through the afterlife and back would have been for nothing. Real lessons here. Real counsel too. The book's a celebration of life here on this planet. I found I even dropped my fear of Central Park and have really gotten to appreciate the place as some rare slice of nature in the wake of this book. Definitely for my KEEPS shelf!