Genesis co-founder Mike Rutherford was prompted to write his autobiography after opening a trunk that he had inherited from his late father and discovering an unpublished memoir of his dad’s career as an officer in Her Majesty’s Naval Service. Rutherford then built his narrative around his father’s reminiscences, occasionally excerpting them, while drawing some parallels between life on tour and life at sea. It’s an agreeable story told with a dry British wit and corresponding lexicon (A-levels, boffin, polystyrene). The tale takes a turn when Rutherford the schoolboy meets Tony Banks and Pete Gabriel (not Peter here) and they form Genesis while still in their teens. At this point, Rutherford’s father fades a bit into the background behind an account of the group’s early successes, Gabriel’s eventual departure, Phil Collins’ emergence from drummer to frontman, as well as everyone’s efforts to juggle solo careers. While creative details receive short shrift at times, Rutherford effectively conveys his affection for his bandmates (particularly through humorous digs at Banks, as only an old chum can deliver). All in all, The Living Years is well named after Rutherford’s signature Mike + The Mechanics composition, since at its heart, this is a book about family and memory.