The Cubs Fan's Guide to Happiness

by George Ellis

The Chicago Cubs tradition is one built on spectacular losing streaks and even more spectacular collapses. Yet despite all the losses and disappointments, an amazing thing happens every summer at the corner of Addison and Sheffield: millions of fans flock to Wrigley Field and millions more fans across the country regularly tune in to watch Cubs games broadcast on television. Exactly why Cubs fans support their squad with such reckless abandon isn’t entirely clear—these people represent a remarkable aberration of human psychology, epitomizing the spirit and experience of dedication to a desperate cause. And the whole time, they’re oddly happy. The Cubs Fan’s Guide to Happiness reveals what makes Cubs fans tick and what keeps them happy. It explains why it’s not over until you’re mathematically eliminated, why winning really isn’t everything, and why it’s perfectly acceptable to blame all your trouble on a scapegoat—which may or may not be an actual goat. The fully revised edition also provides educational sidebars, practical applications, and true words of wisdom from celebrity Cubs fans as well as surviving the planned renovations to the product on the field and Wrigley Field itself.

Genres: Nonfiction, Sports, Humor

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Christina Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book is absolutely hilarious and a must-read for any fan who has stuck with the Cubs through all their highs and lows (okay, mostly lows). Published in 2007, it's a little outdated, but still relevant for Cubs fans today. The first half outlines what makes a Cubs fan a Cubs fan and shows how we fans have kept our loyalty to this losing team for so long. Fans can relate to chapters such as "It's Not Over Until You're Mathematically Eliminated" and "At least You're Not a Sox Fan." The second half isn't as funny and can be a little bit of a downer, as it mainly focuses on all the ways the Cubs have let us down over the years. Overall a funny book and one you may find solace in if the Cubs lose again this year.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

To quote Sally Albright, "YES, YES, YES, YES, YES, YES!" 5 stars if you're a Cubs fan, 3.5 stars if you're not. If you root for the (blech) Cardinals or (blech blech) White Sox, I'm guessing you'll just want to throw this book at something or someone, maybe even me. Keep in mind George Ellis is AKA "The Heckler."

[Nordy · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I've never been much of a baseball fan, but when I started dating my fiance I made a concerted effort to try to learn enough about it to understand what he was talking about. I started watching his beloved Cubs and he now suffers through my hockey obsession. So, I saw this book at the bookfair at our school, and I thought I'd pick it up for him. This book made me appreciative of being a Red Wings fan. It's much easier to support a winning team.

The premise of the book is that Cubs fans have a vast reserve of coping mechanisms in place to be able to laugh in the face of adversity or, more accurately, impending doom. The book encourages the reader to adopt these strategies for real life situations.

Some of the chapters are:

There's always next year
Beer will make it better
Loyalty is Next to Godliness
and
At Least You're not a White Sox Fan

[Vieolaswamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if this book were not written by my brother-in-law, I'd love it!! Prior to reading this book i knew nothing about the cub's. Now, I know a little about their bizarre fan following and the philosophy beind following a team that always loses. Although, I'm told, that this will be the Cub's year to win it all! (tee-hee)

[Candice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining book, although it is not as funny this year with the Cubs doing so well... Of course, I'm not complaining!