EBOOK
About
A New York Times bestselling and award-winning journalist uses cutting-edge sports research to make the case for why being a fan is good for us individually and is a force for positive change in our society.
Larry Olmsted's writing and research have been called "eye-opening" (People), "impressive" (Publishers Weekly, starred review), and "enlightening" (Kirkus Reviews).
Now, the New York Times and Washington Post bestselling author turns his expertise to a subject that has never been fully explored, delivering a highly entertaining game changer that uses brand-new research to show us why being a sports fan is good for us individually and is a force for positive change in society. Fans is a passionate reminder
of how games, teams, and the communities dedicated to them are vital to our lives.
Citing fascinating new studies on sports fandom, Larry Olmsted makes the case that the more you identify with a sports team, the better your social, psychological, and physical health is; the more meaningful your relationships are; and the more connected and happier you are. Fans maintain better cognitive processing as their gray matter ages; they have better language skills; and college students who follow sports have higher GPAs, better graduation rates, and higher incomes after graduating. And there's more: On a societal level, sports help us heal after tragedies, providing community and hope when we need it most. Fans is the perfect gift for anyone who loves sports or anyone who loves someone who loves sports.
"Olmsted opens a window into a psychologically compelling world of passion and purpose."
-Harvey Araton, author of Our Last Season: A Writer, a Fan, a Friendship
Larry Olmsted is an award-winning journalist and visiting professor of at Dartmouth College, where he teaches nonfiction writing. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller Real Food Fake Food and Getting into Guinness, a history of the Guinness Book of World Records, a book for which he broke three world records himself while researching. He currently writes popular online columns for Forbes and USAToday, and he is the contributing travel editor for Cigar Aficionado magazine. Olmsted has been a panelist or guest speaker at many conferences and appears regularly on television and radio. He is avid fan of American Ninja Warrior and a fan of sports fans. "A deeply researched and persuasive exploration of the benefits of our mysterious athletic obsession."
-The Washington Post, sports columnist Jerry Brewer
"Olmsted probes deep into the minds and machinations of the devoted sports fan and, in the process, opens a window into a psychologically compelling world of passion and purpose."
-Harvey Araton, author of Our Last Season: A Writer, A Fan, A Friendship
"Fun and fascinating. Fans is Exhibit A, showing our that our sports obsession is good for our health!"
-Andrew Blauner, editor of Coach: 25 Writers Reflect on People Who Made a Difference
"Olmsted writes accessibly, and his work will engage readers of all ages. While there have been other books written about fandom, this is a quick read that even casual fans of sports may enjoy."
– Library Journal
"For sports fans feeling even slightly guilty over parking themselves in front of a TV for a few hours to watch, say, a football game, this volume offers a winning counterargument: It's good for your health! Olmsted's study offers ideas fans would do well to take seriously."
– Booklist
"Olmsted's book put me in the stands, wearing my jersey and cheering-for myself! I can now unashamedly paint my face and sing fight songs, because it turns out being a rabid fan is good for my health. A must-read for any sports fan!"
-Michael Patrick Shiels, syndicated talk show host
"Compelling . . . entertaining."
-Kirkus Reviews
Pra
Larry Olmsted's writing and research have been called "eye-opening" (People), "impressive" (Publishers Weekly, starred review), and "enlightening" (Kirkus Reviews).
Now, the New York Times and Washington Post bestselling author turns his expertise to a subject that has never been fully explored, delivering a highly entertaining game changer that uses brand-new research to show us why being a sports fan is good for us individually and is a force for positive change in society. Fans is a passionate reminder
of how games, teams, and the communities dedicated to them are vital to our lives.
Citing fascinating new studies on sports fandom, Larry Olmsted makes the case that the more you identify with a sports team, the better your social, psychological, and physical health is; the more meaningful your relationships are; and the more connected and happier you are. Fans maintain better cognitive processing as their gray matter ages; they have better language skills; and college students who follow sports have higher GPAs, better graduation rates, and higher incomes after graduating. And there's more: On a societal level, sports help us heal after tragedies, providing community and hope when we need it most. Fans is the perfect gift for anyone who loves sports or anyone who loves someone who loves sports.
"Olmsted opens a window into a psychologically compelling world of passion and purpose."
-Harvey Araton, author of Our Last Season: A Writer, a Fan, a Friendship
Larry Olmsted is an award-winning journalist and visiting professor of at Dartmouth College, where he teaches nonfiction writing. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller Real Food Fake Food and Getting into Guinness, a history of the Guinness Book of World Records, a book for which he broke three world records himself while researching. He currently writes popular online columns for Forbes and USAToday, and he is the contributing travel editor for Cigar Aficionado magazine. Olmsted has been a panelist or guest speaker at many conferences and appears regularly on television and radio. He is avid fan of American Ninja Warrior and a fan of sports fans. "A deeply researched and persuasive exploration of the benefits of our mysterious athletic obsession."
-The Washington Post, sports columnist Jerry Brewer
"Olmsted probes deep into the minds and machinations of the devoted sports fan and, in the process, opens a window into a psychologically compelling world of passion and purpose."
-Harvey Araton, author of Our Last Season: A Writer, A Fan, A Friendship
"Fun and fascinating. Fans is Exhibit A, showing our that our sports obsession is good for our health!"
-Andrew Blauner, editor of Coach: 25 Writers Reflect on People Who Made a Difference
"Olmsted writes accessibly, and his work will engage readers of all ages. While there have been other books written about fandom, this is a quick read that even casual fans of sports may enjoy."
– Library Journal
"For sports fans feeling even slightly guilty over parking themselves in front of a TV for a few hours to watch, say, a football game, this volume offers a winning counterargument: It's good for your health! Olmsted's study offers ideas fans would do well to take seriously."
– Booklist
"Olmsted's book put me in the stands, wearing my jersey and cheering-for myself! I can now unashamedly paint my face and sing fight songs, because it turns out being a rabid fan is good for my health. A must-read for any sports fan!"
-Michael Patrick Shiels, syndicated talk show host
"Compelling . . . entertaining."
-Kirkus Reviews
Pra