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Who Needs Friends

An Unscientific Examination of Male Friendship Across America

Coming Soon

Contributors

By Andrew McCarthy

Formats and Prices

On Sale
Mar 24, 2026
Page Count
320 pages
ISBN-13
9781538768945

Price

$29.00

Price

$39.00 CAD

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.
 
 

  • "Who Needs Friends is a wonderful story, beautifully told. An important book about friendship, and loyalty, and men telling each other the truth most of all. When you finish it, you will want to reconnect with an old friend of your own, I know I did." 
    Mike Lupica, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
  • "Thoughtful and well written—and a good prompt to call an old friend."
    Kirkus Reviews

Events

WHO NEEDS FRIENDS BOOK TOUR – Meet Andrew McCarthy!

March 2026

  • James Patterson Speakers Series @ Manhattan University

    The James Patterson Honors Program at Manhattan University is proud to welcome Andrew McCarthy.

    Bronx, NY

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  • Booktowne

    Join BookTowne in welcoming 80s heartthrob and actor Andrew McCarthy to discuss his newest book, Who Needs Friends at the Algonquin Theatre.

    Manasquan, NJ

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  • An Unlikely Story

    Andrew McCarthy discusses his new book, WHO NEEDS FRIENDS: AN UNSCIENTIFIC EXAMINATION OF MALE FRIENDSHIP ACROSS AMERICA.

    Plainville, MA

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  • Book Passage

    Join us at Book Passage for an author event in celebration of Andrew McCarthy’s new book, Who Needs Friends: An Unscientific Examination of Male Friendship Across America. Andrew will be joined in conversation with author, certified life coach, and speaker Matthew Félix.

    Corte Madera, CA

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  • Bookshop Santa Cruz

    TICKETED EVENT AT THE RIO THEATRE: Bookshop Santa Cruz welcomes New York Times bestselling author, filmmaker, and actor Andrew McCarthy for discussion about his new book Who Needs Friends.

    Santa Cruz, CA

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  • Athena Books

    Join us for an unforgettable evening with Andrew McCarthy as he discusses his powerful new book, “Who Needs Friends”

    Greenwich, CT

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April 2026

  • Rainy Day Books

    Join Rainy Day Books at Unity Temple to celebrate Who Needs Friends: An Unscientific Examination of Male Friendship Across America with author Andrew McCarthy.

    Kansas City, MO

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  • A Novel Neighbor

    oin us for an evening with New York Times bestselling author, actor and director, Andrew McCarthy, for a discussion of his newest nonfiction work, Who Needs Friends. Andrew will be joined in conversation by incredible St. Louis artist, Cbabi Bayoc.

    St. Louis, MO

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  • Rancho Mirage Writers Festival

    New York Times bestselling author, Andrew McCarthy, will speak about his new book, WHO NEEDS FRIENDS.

    Rancho Mirage, CA

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  • Vroman’s Bookstore

    TICKETED – ANDREW MCCARTHY DISCUSSES & SIGNS WHO NEEDS FRIENDS: AN UNSCIENTIFIC EXAMINATION OF MALE FRIENDSHIP ACROSS AMERICA.

    Los Angeles, CA

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  • Carmel Clay Public Library in partnership with Morgenstern’s Books

    Author and actor Andrew McCarthy shares his new book “Who Needs Friends.” Tickets are $35 per person and include a pre-signed copy of the book. Presented by the CCPL Foundation and Morgenstern Books.

    Bloomington, IN

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  • The Bookstall

    he Book Stall is thrilled to welcome actor and bestselling author Andrew McCarthy to the Skokie School Auditorium to discuss his new book, Who Needs Friends.

    Chicago, IL

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  • Tattered Cover Bookstore

    Join us as we celebrate New York Times Best Selling Author Andrew McCarthy’s newest book, Who Needs Friends!

    Denver, CO

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  • Wonderland Books

    ndrew McCarthy is coming to Wonderland Books on April 13, 2026 to discuss his book “Who Needs Friends: An Unscientific Examination of Male Friendship Across America”.

    Bethesda, MD

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  • Mark Twain House and Museum

    Meet New York Times bestselling author, filmmaker, and actor Andrew McCarthy.

    Hartford, CT

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  • Little City Books

    Join us and Andrew McCarthy. Andrew McCarthy: Who Needs Friends? Ticket includes signed copy

    Hoboken, NJ

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  • Maplewood, NJ

    Who Needs Friends: An Unscientific Examination of Male Friendship Across America Book Event with Author Andrew McCarthy In Conversation with Boris Fishman.

    Words Bookstore

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  • Square Books

    Square Books presents: Andrew McCarthy for Who Needs Friends.

    Oxford, MS

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  • Coahoma County Higher Education Center (CCHEC)/Cutrer Mansion

    Clarksdale, MS

  • Clarksdale, MS

    Event details tk.

    Coahoma County Higher Education Center (CCHEC)/Cutrer Mansion

Featured Post

WHO NEEDS FRIENDS by Andrew McCarthy (Excerpt)

Andrew McCarthy

About the Author

Andrew McCarthy is the author of three books, Brat: An ’80s Story, Just Fly Away, and The Longest Way Home — all New York Times best sellers. He is an award winning travel writer and served for a dozen years as an editor-at-larger at National Geographic Traveler magazine. Andrew has directed scores of television shows, but is best known as an actor for the past four decades, appearing is such iconic films as Pretty in Pink and Less Than Zero. He lives in New York.
 

Learn more about this author