Down And Derby: The Insider's Guide To Roller Derby (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
I got this a few years ago at a tournament and read it then. I'm not sure what made me pick it up to re-read it this time.The book certainly suffers a bit from roller derby's rapidly changing rule structure and culture shifts. However the authors do a decent job of talking in general terms that apply to a variety of leagues and approaches to the sport. It's a decent book with an 'intro to the derby culture' approach. It doesn't get too bogged down in rules and speaks more to the history of the sport, both pre and post-revival. Most of it is stuff I learned while playing, but I think the sport has grown so much that some of the 'oral history' of roller derby has been lost on newer skaters. It's nice to have this book to remind people of the fun and silliness that used to be involved.A note: several of the photos are captioned incorrectly. Not a big deal, but kind of an annoying detail that makes you wonder what other details were missed. This is a great introduction to the modern sport of roller derby. The authors include information on the history of the sport, a review of the current ruleset, capsule reviews of roller derby in film and television, and a whole lot more. Best of all are the numerous sidebars profiling a whole range of participants. The writing style is breezy and fun, but there's still a lot of meat on these bones - definitely a worthwhile read for either the diehard fan or the merely curious.
What do You think about Down And Derby: The Insider's Guide To Roller Derby (2010)?
A fun look into the world of roller derby. It could have been edited better.
—Lysia
Derby ready? I hope! I feel like it after reading this book.
—Ilija
Nice introduction for those interested in roller derby.
—Fadairo
