Definitely not an autobiography or really a memoir. But it is Richard Starkey being very candid about relationships and history in a series of anecdotes revolving around postcards he received from John, Paul and George and others. Very fun and too short. ( )

A quick read featuring some of the many postcards that John, Paul, and George sent Ringo over the years. Each two-page spread shows the front and back of the card and comments from Ringo explaining what they were doing at the time the postcard was sent. I found it remarkable that the Royal Mail was able to get the cards to the right place, especially without postcodes and with some eccentric spellings in Ringo’s address.

Overall this is a 3/5 because I preferred Ringo’s collection of photographs; it was longer and had more interesting commentary. But this is a pleasant diversion. ( )

I got this book as a birthday present a few years ago. I’d never heard of it before but it was bought for me primarily because I’m a big Beatles fan. The idea behind it is very simple: whenever John, Paul or George went anywhere, they would send Ringo a postcard which he saved. They’ve now been presented in this book along with some of Ringo’s recollections about the events taking place at that time. I thought it sounded interesting and looked forward to reading about the little in-jokes on the postcards.

However, the book isn’t really like that at all. Sure there’s all the postcards. Some of them are incredibly bizarre, although as a lot are from the late 60s and 70s, they’re very much of the time. Both the picture on the front and the writing on the back are shown, so you can see what neat writing Paul has and the odd meanderings of John’s brain. The main thing that’s lacking is the explanation of what the writing is referring to. Ringo gives information about where he was living when he got the postcard, which is completely redundant when the address is right there on the back, and what was going on in his life at the time. It’s all done in a very informal chatty sort of tone which is nice, it’s like he’s there with you talking about the postcards. He often goes off on a tangent and recounts some little anecdote which isn’t entirely related to the postcard itself; although entertaining, it would be nice to know the situation behind some of the postcards and their messages. For instance, one card from Paul says “you got that something. Except for a nother Fanny Brice and Barbara Streisand [sic].” The response from Ringo is “What was happening in my life here? Do you know?” Well, no, I was rather hoping you would know and be able to explain that bizarre comment. I can’t understand why a postcard like that would be included if it makes no sense and there’s no way to explain it, it seems like a waste of space and a better one could have been used instead.

On the whole it’s not too bad. It’s nicely presented and some of the little anecdotes are amusing. At the same time, it’s really only for the absolute Beatles fan and completest who absolutely must have everything they’ve done. The back cover gives the price of $25. I really don’t think it’s worth that at all. ( )

I only wish the book was longer! Very enjoyable to look at, and read these cards. ( )

In Postcards from the Boys, Ringo presents 51 postcards that were sent to him by John, Paul and George from the late 1960s through the late 1980s. Both the front and back of each card is shown along with all personal messages and drawings that were on them. I found the memories that Ringo added with each card to be the most interesting part of this book. I enjoyed it very much. ( )