The Best of Friends: Choose Wisely, Care Well

by Phil Knox

Friendship is one of the best things ever created.

It is unparalleled as a building block of society, a universal theme in great literature and film, and has a huge impact on our mental health, wellbeing and happiness. But many of us are lonely or feel suffocated by the pressures of life and quantity of relationships we have to maintain. Now, more than ever, we need better, deeper friendships. We need the best of friends.

Full of practical advice, humour and wisdom, Phil Knox shows us how to choose our friends wisely and maintain lasting and meaningful relationships.

208 pages, Paperback

Published February 16, 2023

Reviews

[Keziah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parts of this book felt a bit too formulaic and like putting people in boxes, but I found it very easy to read, and it was a really helpful book in pointing me to appreciate my friends more and be more intentional in investing in friendship. His final line summed my thoughts up - ‘may we experience the best of friends, be the best of friends and know the Best Friend of them all.’

[Jonathan Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book on friendship.

Full of great anecdotes, insights, wisdom, scripture, 90's references, and a look at the life and ministry of Jesus, this is a great book to help you grow as a friend.

Taking the idea of different types of friendship circles (often seen in Jesus as the 1, 3, 12, and 72 model), Knox synthesises it with some contemporary research, and gives loads of valuable encouragements and challenges for friendship.

[Lydia Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went to an excellent seminar Phil was giving about friendship a few months ago, and when I heard he was releasing a book about the same topic, I was really keen to read it. This didn’t disappoint! The book is practical, witty, challenging and REALLY relatable. If you’ve been thinking about how to be a great friend as a Christian, this is a MUST read!

[Ben Poch · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a culture staved of true relational connection this book is a must read. It will inspire you to steward the relationships you have and be intentional in how you cultivate them. I finished the book feeling encouraged by the gift of friendship and a strengthened desire to invest wisely.

[Mike Nicholls · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great and needed book. In a culture the measures relationships in clicking ‘accept’ looking at what friendship really is, and why it is so enriching to our lives is important. Phil does just that. 5 stars.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful. Some good thoughts. Skim read a lot of it but not because it was boring! I found it thought provoking and definitely aided intentionally organising relationships in my life, with some good tips.

[Bethan Edge · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy, encouraging and challenging read on friendship. At times a bit too cheesy for me, but it really has made me think through how to be a better friend, how our circles of friendship matter and why we should fight for our friendships.

[C Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, easy to read weaving in psychology and Biblical truths and showing how the two are in agreement. Made me think about my own friendships and which to invest more in. It made me grateful for my friendship, that I have a mixture of Christian and non Christian friends.

[Art D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of great insights in this book. It got a little tedious in the last few chapters, but there were still some great takeaways.

[Cat Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very readable and punchy read about the one type of relationship we all so desperately need, and yet so rarely spend time thinking or talking about - I love friendship :)