• Fans

  • How Watching Sports Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Understanding
  • By: Larry Olmsted
  • Narrated by: Fred Sanders
  • Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (6 ratings)

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Fans  By  cover art

Fans

By: Larry Olmsted
Narrated by: Fred Sanders
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Publisher's summary

The perfect book for everyone cheering from the couch during the Tokyo Olympics

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

©2021 Larry Olmsted (P)2022 Algonquin Books

Critic reviews

“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

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What listeners say about Fans

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Fulfilling

A Psychological like look at what fans do for the World. Great incite, a masterpiece.

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