'Where have all my friends gone?'

When Max Dickins decided to propose to his girlfriend, he realised there was no one he could call on to be his best man.

He quickly learned that he wasn't the only man struggling with friendships. For decades, countless studies from across the world have confirmed that men have fewer close friends than women - and the problem gets worse the older men get. But what goes wrong? And what can men do about it? Dickins is going to find out.

His funny and charmingly candid search takes him to the doors of world-leading experts. It forces him to examine the friendships he's had over the years, and where they have foundered. And, briefly, it sends him to the website 'Rent A Friend', where he pays someone to hang out with him. But let's not dwell on that.

Join Max as he takes a defibrillator to his social life. As he ultimately discovers that if he wants a Best Man, then he needs to be a better man.

About the Author

Max Dickins is the author of Billy No-Mates, which has been translated into multiple languages and is currently being adapted for television. On the page, his writing has been featured in the Observer, Sunday Times, Daily Mail and GQ. On the stage, Max's critically acclaimed stage play Man on the Moor has toured nationally. On the airwaves, his radio show on Absolute Radio was nominated for a Sony Award. While on screen, Dickins has appeared numerous times on BBC One's Michael McIntyre's Big Show. Oh, and once he accidentally got addicted to Groupon deals: this sad (if quite amusing) experience spawning his first book, My Groupon Adventure.

@maxdickins | maxdickins.com

Reviews
[Max Dickins] couldn't think of anyone to be his best man. It was a realisation that triggered a poignant - and very funny - odyssey * * Daily Mail * *
A funny but deeply uncomfortable read for those men . . . who have allowed their male friendships to wither * * Sunday Times * *
On the spot * * Guardian * *
A funny, meaty, informative read where [Max Dickins] uses himself as a hook to guide us through male friendships * * Independent * *
Very funny, utterly charming and above all, wise, Billy No-Mates is not so much about getting the friendships you deserve, but deserving the friendships you've got -- TIM DOWLING
Fascinating -- JEREMY VINE * * BBC Radio 2 * *
Brilliant . . . one of the most important books I've read this year . . . [it] asks us to put a mirror up to our own friendships -- NIHAL ARTHANAYAKE * * Radio5Live * *
Billy No-Mates should be required reading for all us fellas. I wish I had it 10 years ago. Hilarious, elegantly-written and fascinating. As a life-improving call-to-arms, it's impact on me is hard to overstate. It has - without exaggeration - made me a better friend. And maybe even a better man. As absorbing as it is funny -- PHIL WANG
We need a conversation about why men don't have a mate they can talk to * * The Times * *
Here Max exposes something worrying and fundamental but with such a lightness of touch -- RUFUS HOUND
Max's book is brilliant. Very funny. So well researched and inspiring in lots of ways. Get a copy if you can! -- SPENCER JONES, comedian from LIVE AT THE APOLLO and 8 OUT OF 10 CATS
I've left a copy on my husband's bedside table -- EMMA BARNETT * * Woman's Hour - BBC Radio 4 * *
Poignant, extremely funny and worryingly accurate. Rarely has such a frightening wake-up call been so hilariously put -- RHYS JAMES
Fascinating and very funny. This is such an important subject -- SAM DELANEY * * The Reset * *
I love Max's book so much -- RHIK SAMMADER, author and journalist
I really enjoyed Max's insights around why men are struggling to connect . . . it's a problem that everyone needs to help fix -- CHRIS WILLIAMSON * * Modern Wisdom * *



Book Information
ISBN 9781838853518
Author Max Dickins
Format Hardback
Page Count 336
Imprint Canongate Books
Publisher Canongate Books
Weight(grams) 438g
Dimensions(mm) 220mm * 144mm * 32mm