Roller Derby to RollerJam: The Authorized Story of an Unauthorized Sport

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 148 pages
• Published by: Squarebooks July 27, 1999
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0916290808
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0916290801
• Book Dimensions: 10.5 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Weighs: 1.4 pounds

Product Description
Roller derby first appeared in Chicago during the Depression. With the advent of television, this dynamic, sometimes violent sport became a national favorite. In Roller Derby to RollerJam, Keith Coppage takes a fond look at the origins, history, and players of the game who made it successful, from promoters to superstars.

Reader Reviews
This book is a Derby fan's dream come true! I never got to experience the Derby for myself (it ended when I was only a year old), but I've always been fascinated with the players, the game and how it captivated people. Coppage, along with input from Derby owner Jerry Seltzer (the Commissioner of RollerJam's World Skating League) and the memories of former players and fans, tells the story of a sport that endured despite being looked down by other sports as a "poor cousin" -- and ended up creating a phenomenon in the process. The photos are spectacular -- you almost can feel the punching, the falls and the energy that must have galvanized the skaters to play to their best every night. Similarly, Coppage's discussion of the Derby's "next generation," RollerJam, is as comprehensive and fun as the Derby section (though much shorter, as the 'Jam is still in its infancy). This book, coupled with Frank Deford's "Five Strides on the Banked Track," should be a Roller Derby fan's Bible. Brilliant work!