Phil H. Goodstein was born in 1952 in Denver, Colorado, and is a fourth generation Colorado native. Goodstein grew up as a member of the Beth HaMedrosh Hagadol (BMH) and his parents were active in the B'nai B'rith. He graduated from East High School in Denver in 1970, and received a degree in history from Metropolitan State College of Denver in 1973. He earned a Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Denver in 1975 where he specialized in Eastern European history. Goodstein earned a Doctor of Philosophy in history from the University of Colorado in 1981. His dissertation was titled, "The Theory of the General Strike From the French Revolution to Poland."

Dr. Goodstein has worked as a freelance historian and has taught at Metropolitan State College of Denver and Denver Free University (now called Colorado Free University). He publishes a monthly newsletter called The Naysayer, and conducts numerous tours of Denver through Colorado Free University.

Dr. Goodstein has written numerous articles and books about Denver and its history. His articles have appeared in various local and national publications, including Labor's Heritage, City Edition, LIFE on Capitol Hill, Essays and Monographs in Colorado History, Colorado Heritage, the Void, and the Colorado Labor Advocate. His books include The Theory of the General Strike, Denver's Capitol Hill, South Denver Saga, The Seamy Side of Denver, Denver Streets, Ghosts of Denver: Capitol Hill, Murders in the Bank Vault, Denver in Our Time: Big Money in the Big City, A People's History of the Modern Mile High City, and Exploring Jewish Colorado.