The only book to be written so far by a member of the iconic band the Grateful Dead was signed by Little, Brown publisher Michael Pietsch. Its author is Phil Lesh, bass player in the band and one of its cofounders in 1965. Pietsch bought U.S., Canadian and audio rights in Lesh's inside story of the founding of the group and of the 30 years it lasted to its dissolution after lead guitarist Jerry Garcia died in 1995. Lesh, who survived a liver transplant six years ago and is still active with his own group, was represented in the deal by Sloan Harris at ICM. Pietsch hopes to publish the so-far-untitled book next spring, which would have been the Dead's 40th anniversary.