What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
3 days and 07:15:37
20 copies available
U.S. only
Who Needs Friends: An Unscientific Examination of Male Friendship Across America
Not yet published
Expected 24 Mar 26Win a free print copy of this book!
3 days and 07:15:37
20 copies available
U.S. only
A moving and provocative exploration of male friendship and loneliness by New York Times bestselling author, filmmaker, and actor Andrew McCarthy as he crisscrosses country in an effort to reconnect with friends from the past.
“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 his 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 for nearly ten thousand miles, following him on often-unexpected travels through Appalachia, the Mississippi Delta, the Chihuahuan Desert, and the Rocky Mountains with one driving to see his friends. 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 the good news is, that’s not the way it needs to be.
“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 his 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 for nearly ten thousand miles, following him on often-unexpected travels through Appalachia, the Mississippi Delta, the Chihuahuan Desert, and the Rocky Mountains with one driving to see his friends. 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 the good news is, that’s not the way it needs to be.
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 24, 2026
2727 people want to read
About the author
Andrew McCarthy
32 books754 followersAndrew McCarthy is a director, an award winning travel writer, and—of course—an actor. He made his professional début at 19 in Class, and has appeared in dozens of films, including such iconic movies as Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo’s Fire, Less Then Zero, and cult favorites Weekend At Bernie’s and Mannequin.
He has starred on Broadway and on television, most recently appearing in The Family, on ABC. McCarthy is also a highly regarded television director; having helmed Orange is the New Black, The Blacklist, Grace and Frankie, and many others.
Simultaneously, McCarthy is an award winning travel writer. He is an editor-at-large at National Geographic Traveler, and has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic, Travel+Leisure, AFAR, Men’s Journal, Bon Appetit, and many others. He has received six Lowell Thomas awards, and been named Travel Journalist of the Year by The Society of American Travel Writers.
His travel memoir, THE LONGEST WAY HOME, became a New York Times Best Seller, and the Financial Times of London named it one of the Best Books of the year. He served as guest editor for the prestigious Best American Travel series in 2015.
His debut novel, JUST FLY AWAY, will be published by Algonquin in the spring of 2017.
McCarthy lives in New York City.
He has starred on Broadway and on television, most recently appearing in The Family, on ABC. McCarthy is also a highly regarded television director; having helmed Orange is the New Black, The Blacklist, Grace and Frankie, and many others.
Simultaneously, McCarthy is an award winning travel writer. He is an editor-at-large at National Geographic Traveler, and has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic, Travel+Leisure, AFAR, Men’s Journal, Bon Appetit, and many others. He has received six Lowell Thomas awards, and been named Travel Journalist of the Year by The Society of American Travel Writers.
His travel memoir, THE LONGEST WAY HOME, became a New York Times Best Seller, and the Financial Times of London named it one of the Best Books of the year. He served as guest editor for the prestigious Best American Travel series in 2015.
His debut novel, JUST FLY AWAY, will be published by Algonquin in the spring of 2017.
McCarthy lives in New York City.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Currently reading
January 6, 2026Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance reader copy.
January 16, 2026
The title immediately got me hooked. I have found myself having conversations with people about friendships especially as adults. This book is part travelogue part look into different group of friends and the authors friendships himself. Overall an interesting and fun read!
I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, in exchange for an unbiased review.
I've read all of McCarthy's nonfiction books and each time, I've walked away impressed by his introspection, narration, and growth as a person and a writer. His previous book "Walking With Sam" was one of my favorite reads of 2024. (Though full disclosure: I was walking the Camino when I read it, and I'm a GenX lady who swooned over McCarthy in "Pretty in Pink". )
While I preferred "Walking With Sam", "Who Needs Friends" was an engaging read, and as a woman in a long-term relationship with a man of McCarthy's and my generation, it was also a bit sad, but enlightening. We women know that we nuture friendships in a way most men don't; it was fascinating to follow along as McCarthy tried to find out why, and what can change. It makes me want to chat with him over a cup of coffee- rarely does an author invite you into his/her mind in such an intimate manner.
The book is positioned as a growth/midlife memoir, but it's also a travelogue of his long drive around the US as he learns about male friendship. The book definitely dragged during a too-long section wandering through the rural South, but overall, I highly recommend McCarthy's new journey.
I've read all of McCarthy's nonfiction books and each time, I've walked away impressed by his introspection, narration, and growth as a person and a writer. His previous book "Walking With Sam" was one of my favorite reads of 2024. (Though full disclosure: I was walking the Camino when I read it, and I'm a GenX lady who swooned over McCarthy in "Pretty in Pink". )
While I preferred "Walking With Sam", "Who Needs Friends" was an engaging read, and as a woman in a long-term relationship with a man of McCarthy's and my generation, it was also a bit sad, but enlightening. We women know that we nuture friendships in a way most men don't; it was fascinating to follow along as McCarthy tried to find out why, and what can change. It makes me want to chat with him over a cup of coffee- rarely does an author invite you into his/her mind in such an intimate manner.
The book is positioned as a growth/midlife memoir, but it's also a travelogue of his long drive around the US as he learns about male friendship. The book definitely dragged during a too-long section wandering through the rural South, but overall, I highly recommend McCarthy's new journey.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I enjoyed this book. I like Andrew McCarthy a lot as an actor. I did actually watch his documentary, Brats, which felt fair but a bit self-indulgent.
In this book, I truly appreciated the honest glimpse into male friendships, including the natural course of fading away that so many of these take, particularly for men. I think the topic here is very important, and I’m glad to have an example of a man unafraid to share his love for other men and his vulnerabilities. The world needs more people to willingly expose their hearts. Possibly – probably – especially men. And you know what? I liked following him along on his road trip around the United States. I thought this book was thoughtful, reflective, and interesting. I would certainly recommend this as a read, especially for the men in my life but there are lessons here from which we could all benefit.
In this book, I truly appreciated the honest glimpse into male friendships, including the natural course of fading away that so many of these take, particularly for men. I think the topic here is very important, and I’m glad to have an example of a man unafraid to share his love for other men and his vulnerabilities. The world needs more people to willingly expose their hearts. Possibly – probably – especially men. And you know what? I liked following him along on his road trip around the United States. I thought this book was thoughtful, reflective, and interesting. I would certainly recommend this as a read, especially for the men in my life but there are lessons here from which we could all benefit.
December 21, 2025
Thank you, Grand Central Publishing, for providing the copy of Who Needs Friends by Andrew McCarthy. This book was exactly what the description promised, a travelog of McCarthy’s journey to rediscover his past friends. I loved the random strangers he struck up conversations with, and how open they were about their relationships. There are no earthshaking revelations here, but I appreciated how he talked to diverse men. I’m not sure the lack of many deep friendships is something only men experience, but it’s a subject personal to McCarthy so I applaud his look into it. I loved how his story ended! 3 stars.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews