Peter Goodman, a resident of Syosset, will be at Borders Books and Music in Syosset on Oct. 13 to promote his new book entitled Morton Gould, American Salute.

Goodman was born and raised in Brooklyn and moved to Syosset soon after he started working for Newsday. He was the classical music critic for Newsday for many years and was then promoted to the classical music editor. "Starting in the beginning of this month, for the first time in I don't know how long, I do not have anything to do with music anymore," said Goodman. "I am now writing about radio and cultural events for Newsday and that is fine with me because I enjoy it. I was really burned out writing about classical music."

Morton Gould, American Salute is Goodman's first book, which was inspired by his wife, Deborah, who is a speech therapist.

"My wife made me do it," confessed Goodman. Deborah got tired of hearing Peter complain that he wanted something more, so she suggested that he write a book. She suggested the idea of writing Morton Gould's biography.

"I met Morton on a number of occasions and he seemed like a nice man," said Goodman. "My first reaction was that he would never want me to do it, but Debbie kept after me."

In 1993, while covering a concert in Texas, Goodman approached Gould about writing his biography.

"I mentioned to him that he used to be very famous and once had a much larger career in radio and recording and something happened and I wanted to know what it was," said Goodman.

Gould agreed and Goodman began writing, a process that took him five years to complete - only three months of that was spent full time. "After he died, I took a three month leave of absence from Newsday and did a great deal of research," said Goodman. "Everything else was done while I was working."

Goodman's interest in music was passed on to his two sons, the eldest who is in college now and the younger who is a junior at Syosset High School. "My oldest son was somewhat serious about the saxophone while he was in high school and he has it with him at college," said Goodman. His saxophone might be in the same spot as Goodman's violin - under his bed gathering dust.

The youngest Goodman plays the guitar in a few bands with his friends. "It is amazing," said Goodman. "He is playing without someone making him doing it."

Goodman, who is a member of the Midway Jewish Center, will be featured on Oct.13 in Syosset and on Oct. 19 at the Book Revue in Huntington.

The book-signing in Syosset will consist of a guitar duo playing some of Gould's music, Goodman speaking to the audience and playing some examples of Gould's music from a CD. "It will be a combination of a little recital, a reading and little playing and I will sign autographs for anyone who buys the book," said Goodman, who encourages everyone to go out and buy the book.