Preview
  • What Do We Need Men For?

  • A Modest Proposal
  • By: E. Jean Carroll
  • Narrated by: E. Jean Carroll
  • Length: 6 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (126 ratings)

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What Do We Need Men For?

By: E. Jean Carroll
Narrated by: E. Jean Carroll
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Publisher's summary

"In narrating her own audiobook, Carroll shows her sense of humor with her inflections. Sometimes laugh-out-loud funny but often deeply uncomfortable, Carroll's audiobook never shies away from what she wants to say when she wants to say it." -- AudioFile Magazine

This program is read by the author.

A Washington Post TEN BOOKS TO READ IN JULY | Los Angeles Times’ 7 BUZZWORTHY BOOKS TO READ THIS JULY | TOP 5 HOT BOOKS by The National Book Review| Refinery 29’s GET YOUR HANDS ON THESE JULY 2019 BOOKS | Bustle's 27 NEW BOOKS OUT IN JULY 2019 TO GET YOU THROUGH THE SWEATY DAYS OF SUMMER | 6 BEST BOOKS TO READ THIS JULY by Town and Country

As seen on the cover of New York Magazine and in the breaking news story about Donald Trump, America's longest running advice columnist goes on the road to speak to women about hideous men and whether we need them.

“Darkly humorous and deadly serious.” –Sibbie O'Sullivan, Washington Post

“A compulsively interesting feminist memoir.” –Virginia Heffernan, Slate

"Somehow hilarious, in the way that only E. Jean could have written it" –Leigh Haber, Oprah Magazine

“Roving, curious, compassionate, whimsical.” –Megan Garber, The Atlantic

When E. Jean Carroll—possibly the liveliest woman in the world and author of the “Ask E. Jean” advice column in Elle Magazine, realized that her eight million readers and question-writers all seemed to have one thing in common—problems caused by men—she hit the road. Crisscrossing the country with her blue-haired poodle, Lewis Carroll, E. Jean stopped in every town named after a woman between Eden, Vermont and Tallulah, Louisiana to ask women the crucial question: What Do We Need Men For?

E. Jean gave her rollicking road trip a sly, stylish turn when she deepened the story, creating a list called “The Most Hideous Men of My Life,” and began to reflect on her own sometimes very dark history with the opposite sex. What advice would she have given to her past selves—as Miss Cheerleader USA and Miss Indiana University? Or as the fearless journalist, television host, and eventual advice columnist she became? E. Jean intertwines the stories of the fascinating people she meets on her road trip with her “horrible history with the male sex” (including mafia bosses, media titans, boyfriends, husbands, a serial killer, and a president), creating a decidedly dark yet hopeful, hilarious, and thrilling narrative. Her answer to the question What Do We Need Men For? will shock men and delight women.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 E. Jean Carroll (P)2019 Macmillan Audio
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Critic reviews

"In narrating her own audiobook, Carroll shows her sense of humor with her inflections. Sometimes laugh-out-loud funny but often deeply uncomfortable, Carroll's audiobook never shies away from what she wants to say when she wants to say it." -AudioFile

“What [the book] offers, though, is a kind of literary impressionism, based on 75 years of lived experience—a sense of what it feels like to have pulsing veins and fiery nerves and a teeming mind and be caught within the cold infrastructures of sexism.” —Megan Garber, The Atlantic

"E. Jean is a terrific writer; she has mastered the difficult task of making her words sound like they're delivered in person, over a cocktail. " —Monica Hesse, The Washington Post

What listeners say about What Do We Need Men For?

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E. Jean is fabulous.

I didn’t know E. Jean was so funny. I had never read her columns etc. Thank you E. Jean for a terrific read and for presenting a view of the universe aligned with my own. Blessings to your darling poodle, Lewis C.

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A tour de force

Fortunately I live at the end of a dead end road with the nearest neighbor about a half mile away. So as I walked the countryside listening to Why Do We Need Men, I did not have to concern myself with passersby looking at me askance because as I walked and listened to Why Do We Need Men, I laughed aloud, I guffawed, I chortled, and occasionally wiped a tear from my eye. I am sure the printed book is outstanding, but in the audio book, Ms. E. Jean puts on a performance for the ages. I am a man and, consequently, part of the butt of this book, but I don’t mind, I was able to take what criticism I deserved and listen on. So ladies and gents treat yourselves to an interesting experience and take a listen to Why Do We Need Men.

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Told like stories around the campfire

Some books I read the hard copy at home or walking on the beach and listen to the Audible version while driving; this is one. She has a point. A reader will either get it or not. I don't expect to see much middle ground. I've always thought E. Jean's never been afraid to put herself out there. But talking about her personal experiences out there hasn't been so easy. Loved meeting so many interesting characters along the way. Thank you, E. Jean Carroll.

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3 people found this helpful

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Great humor

E. Jean went from my hero to full goddess worship when I read this book!

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a new fan

I didn't know of Ms Carroll until her allegations against Donald Trump hit the news, but I've enjoyed her interviews in the years since so decided to get this book. She's delightful and awesome and wise and someone I would love to know. The book and it's titular question are fantastic. Loved it cover to cover.

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Loved this book!

E. Jean is so funny, and manages to take a difficult subject (sexual harassment) and try to make sense of it. Unpredictable road trip with quirky encounters.
Entertaining, enlightening and fun, if that is possible, for her story of being raped in a NY department store by "45".

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It was ok

Interesting book. I think any woman can relate if they lived in the 50's or 60's. Not a fan of her voice though.

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Amazing! Better than I imagined!

Informative and entertaining, the author does a spectacular job talking about her life and asking a serious question, what do we need men for?. Absolutely recommend to everyone.

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Thank you E. Jean Carroll

Loved this book.
What a courageous woman! Your unique voice is so important and especially at this time.

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What Indeed

Hilarious and witty. Enjoyed every minute. I’m in progress of compiling a “most hideous men of my life” list.
Rest in peace Lewis Carroll.

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