{"product_id":"book-eg69","title":"Fans","description":"\u003cb\u003eA \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Larry Olmsted’s writing and research have been called “eye-opening” (\u003ci\u003ePeople\u003c\/i\u003e), “impressive” (\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review), and “enlightening” (\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e).\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Now, the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eWashington Post\u003c\/i\u003e 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. \u003ci\u003eFans \u003c\/i\u003eis a passionate reminder\u003cbr\u003e of how games, teams, and the communities dedicated to them are vital to our lives.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 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. \u003ci\u003eFans\u003c\/i\u003e is the perfect gift for anyone who loves sports or anyone who loves someone who loves sports.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e “Olmsted opens a window into a psychologically compelling world of passion and purpose.”\u003cbr\u003e —Harvey Araton, author of \u003ci\u003eOur Last Season: A Writer, a Fan, a Friendship\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e  ","brand":"Hachette Book Group","offers":[{"title":"Audiobook","offer_id":49348965433648,"sku":"BDeg69","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Audio CD","offer_id":49348965466416,"sku":"ZEeg69","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Audio MP3-CD","offer_id":49348965761328,"sku":"ZMeg69","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2784\/9264\/files\/59778-eg69-Square.jpg?v=1734237587","url":"https:\/\/downpour.com\/products\/book-eg69","provider":"Downpour","version":"1.0","type":"link"}