Down and Derby: The Insider's Guide to Roller Derby

By Alex Cohen and Jennifer Barbee

Book Overview

"Part manifesto, part how-to-guide . . . required reading for anyone who's searching for new ways to be fearless." --Carrie Brownstein When most Americans hear the words "roller derby" today, they think of the kitschy sport once popular on weekend television during the seventies and eighties. Originally an endurance competition where skaters traveled the equivalent of a trip between Los Angeles and New York, roller derby gradually evolved into a violent contact sport often involving fake fighting, and a kitschy weekend-television staple during the seventies and eighties. But in recent decades it's come back strong, with more than 17,000 skaters in more than four hundred leagues around the world, and countless die-hard fans. Down and Derby will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the sport. Written by veteran skaters as both a history and a how-to, it's a brassy celebration of every aspect of the sport, from its origins in the late 1800s, to the rules of a modern bout, to the science of picking an alias, to the many ways you can get involved off skates. Informative, entertaining, and executed with the same tough, sassy, DIY attitude--leavened with plenty of humor--that the sport is known for, Down and Derby is a great read for both skaters and spectators.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1593762747
• ISBN13: 9781593762742
• Release Date: July 2010
• Publisher: Catapult
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.6" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Must Own!

Whether you play Roller Derby or have no idea what it is, whether you go to every bout in your hometown or haven't watched a game since it was on TV in the seventies, this is the ultimate Roller Derby book. Fun and funny, while being totally informative, Axles of Evil and Kasey Bomber have written everything you could possibly want to know about Roller Derby. From its inception to its modern form, there is a history of the sport itself, a definition of terms and introduction to the game as it is played now. Interviews with players sprinkled through provide opinions and answers to the most important questions. And my personal favorite, the derby commandments give every aspiring derby girl and outline of what exactly it means to be down and derby. If you don't know if you are a derby girl, there's a quiz for that too! Great book, buy it now!

Points out the charitable truth about Roller Derby Girls

I found the book to not only cover the full aspects of what you need to know - but also was honored to be included among the Charities that Roller Girls support. Roller girls have found the secret to empowerment is not only in skating the sport, but in giving to their local communities. Breast Impressions is honored to be affliated with Roller Derby Leagues across the nation holding Bouts Against Breast Cancer to support each communities breast health programs!

Right on target

After picking this book up and playing Derby for 5 years it brings a lot into perspective about the sport. Its incredibly well written and brings the reader right onto the track. ~Rev

Buy this book! Fans, newbies, vets - it's a must have!

Not only a well-written and entertaining read, DOWN AND DERBY presents information and insight that everyone can appreciate. Those new to Derby all the way to Vets will gain knowledge and more than a few chuckles reading this wonderful tribute to an amazing sport. If you buy one book about roller derby, make it DOWN AND DERBY!

An informative and entertaining read.

As someone who has been around roller derby all of about 8 weeks, I wanted to learn whatever I could about the sport and its revival. I got this book last Friday and got through it over the weekend. It's an entertaining and informative read - essential reading for anybody who wants to get up to speed on roller derby.