Who Needs Friends

An Unscientific Examination of Male Friendship Across America

De: Andrew McCarthy

Narrado por: Andrew McCarthy

A moving and provocative exploration of male friendship and loneliness, from New York Times bestselling author, filmmaker, and actor Andrew McCarthy as he crisscrosses the country to reconnect with his friends.

“You don’t really have any friends, do you, Dad?”

A seemingly innocuous, if direct, question from Andrew McCarthy’s son left him reeling. McCarthy did have friends, but like so many other men, the necessities of modern adult life had forced his friendships to the background. At one point his friends had been instrumental in broadening his horizons, bolstering his courage, providing safe harbor. Now, McCarthy found himself questioning what had happened to those friendships, whether he needed them, what he valued, and what he had to offer. A simple question had become a moment that demanded a reckoning.

Who Needs Friends charts McCarthy’s journey over nearly ten thousand miles behind the wheel, following him on often-unexpected travels through Appalachia, the Mississippi Delta, the Chihuahuan Desert, the Rocky Mountains with one driving purpose: to reconnect. Along the way he talks to countless men about their male friendships, from cowboys and blues musicians to preachers and rootless teens. What began as a simple desire to catch up with a few friends turned into a deep exploration of the challenges and rewards that men experience in forming bonds with each other.

In McCarthy’s own words, “It turns out that guys have a difficult time with friendship.” But that’s not the way it needs to be.

Relatable, even as a woman

Maybe because we’re the same age too? It was very real, same things we all think about at some time.
Worth a read or listen!

Soulful and entertaining book about travels through the country exploring the author’s male friendships.

Andrew McCarthy’s latest book takes us around the USA as he visits friends. He explores male friendships. I enjoyed the narration by the author. It was interesting to follow the stories and places. He traveled to many places I’ve either been to or heard of.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy. I also purchased the audio copy.

Connections matter

I didn’t know what to expect but was immediately all in. His narration of the book and descriptions along the way caused me to rewind many chapters at a time as I tried to visualize the exchange. As an artist, seeking a similar way to express the need for connection overall, and having questions myself about my lack of deep connection with male friends, this gave me a better way to explain my work and evaluate the level of my friendships. I had to listen three or four times before interviewing him in St Louis - Cbabi

Great read for any man over 40

This book acts as a great self-examination into the typical male psyche when it comes to friendships with other men. Lots of the key points really hit home with me, at least on how I have maneuvered through life with male friends. It also made me start to reach out to some long-lost friends and see how they are doing. As a 55-year-old that has not only seen friends pass, as well as my wife at 52 three years ago, it has helped me look inward at myself. I think everyone has a Seve, Matthew, Eddie and the others at some point in their lives if they are being honest with themselves. I think this book sheds a bright light on traditional male norms as well as showing that we are not that different regardless of the part of the country that you are in. Thank you Andrew for continuing to be an influence since my early adolescence on through my adulthood.

Loved it!

I’m a big fan of Andrew’s work. This book continued his tradition of honest inquiry into the intricacies of life through travel. As a man approaching middle age…the theme of male friendship truly resonated.