Description

‘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.

Join Max on his funny and charmingly candid search 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.

Publisher Review

[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