POSTCARDS FROM THE BOYS

Ringo loved to receive mail, especially from his band mates. Didn't matter much what the notes said—"everything here is still going well, except we miss you," "doing nothing at all" or "YOU ARE THE GREATEST DRUMMER IN THE WORLD"—he saved them, and now, 38 years after getting a postcard from Paul from Spain ("not understanding a word but having fun"), he shares them in this intimate, funny and moving collection. The fronts of the cards are displayed on left-hand pages—there are Copenhagen rooftops, topless Zulu women, topless Australian scuba divers, Prince Charles, the Statue of Liberty, topless Hawaiian ukulele players—while the backs appear on right-hand pages. The notes allow readers into an insider club of sorts, shedding light on the good, the bad and making music, and Ringo offers commentary below each one. For example, after a note from John and Yoko saying, "Who'd have thought it would come to this...." Ringo recalls, "This was a hell time because it was the family break-up." Another card, from Paul, reads, "YOU GOT THAT SOMETHING." Asks Ringo, "What was happening in my life here? Do you know?" Perhaps what these missives best illuminate is the deep friendship that existed among "the boys," despite all that was going on with the Beatles and in the world, proving, perhaps, that all you need is love. 100+ color photos. (Oct.)

FYI: Ringo will donate all royalties from the sale of the book to the Lotus Foundation, an organization that offers sanctuary space in London to spiritual and artistic events.