First published 2026
Andrew McCarthy hits the road with one urgent question: why do men struggle to maintain friendships? After realizing he hasn't truly connected with his male friends in years, he embarks on a cross-country journey to track down old companions and understand the social mechanics of male bonding. Each encounter reveals a different layer of masculine isolation—from workplace pressures to emotional guardedness. McCarthy doesn't just observe; he participates, pushing through awkward reunions and vulnerable conversations that challenge traditional notions of male relationships. With research and personal narrative, he dissects the unspoken rules that keep men from genuine connection. At its heart, this is a quest to rediscover the art of friendship in an age of digital distance and emotional restraint.
Genres: psychology, sociology, self-help, non-fiction
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: personal-narrative, quest
Setting: Los Angeles, Port Harbor
Period: 15 Years
320 pages · Hardcover · Grand Central Publishing