"A rock 'em sock 'em history and how-to guide by two roller girls about the derby they love to death. Told in a no- B. S. style that makes you feel like an insider sharing a beer after the match. This is sparkly, terrific, and bad ass!"---John Doe of XWhen 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, derby gradually evolved into a violent contact sport where the fighting was often ramped up for the audience's amusement. But after nearly dying out in the nineties, derby has been making a comeback. From a mere handful of leagues in the United States just a few years ago, there are now more than 17,000 skaters in more than 400 leagues around the world, with hundreds of thousands of die-hard fans. Down and Derby will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the sport. Written by veteran skaters, Down and Derby is 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 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 the first and last book on derby you'll ever need."Axles of Evil and Kasey Bomber are two of the most sincere, awesome, kick-ass women I've ever met. Being able to have learned to skate under their wing has been one of the greatest expereinces of my life. Down and Derby is the next best thing to training with them personally. If you love Derby this is the book you've been waiting for."---Ellen Page, star of Whip It"Part manifesto, part how-to-guide, Down and Derby demystifies the world of roller derby, showing readers it's as inclusive as it is cool. After finishing this book, you no longer have an excuse for keeping your boring name or for never trying on a pair of skates."---Carrie Brownstein of Sleater-Kinney"Derby is one of the most extraordinary, empowering and intriguing worlds I've ever found in any subculture in my life. When you read about derby, I think there's a part of your heart that is forever changed."---Drew Barrymore"Feminism can come in the form of placards and protests, but Down and Derby proves that a girl's liberation can also involve strapping on a pair of skates, taking on a kick-ass nickname, and throwing a few hip checks in the process."---Marisa Meltzer, author of Girl Power"Whether you're already a derby doll or a doll wannabe this is required reading."---Frank Deford, author of Five Strides on The Banked Track Read Less