"In Girl Talk, veteran reporter Jacqueline Mroz explores the true nature of female friendship--a phenomenon that's as culturally powerful as it is individually mysterious. Mroz takes a new look at how friendship has evolved throughout history, showing how friends tend to share more genetic commonalities than strangers, and that the more friends we have, the more empathy and pleasure chemicals are present in our brains. Examining friendship from a range of angles, from the historical to the experiential, she applies scientific analysis and real-world insight that reveals new truths about what leads us to connect and build alliances, and then "break up" when a friendship no longer serves us."--Back cover.

A history of friendship -- The science of friendship -- The evolution of friendship -- Women versus men -- Famous friends -- Mon ami -- The breakup -- Friending and unfriending -- A friend indeed -- Friends forever.