Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

I enjoyed reading about a time that I remember & the people I idolized. I would have liked a little more info on some of the past stars such as Gerry Murry, Gene Gammon, The Atkinson's, Ken Monti, LuLu Palermo & other skaters from that era. However, I did enjoy the book & so did my mother. We used to go to the Armory in NYC every Thursday night. It was our night out together. The pictures & history were great.

It's surprising a book is out there--what's more surprising is that it's entertainingly written. You just can't put it down. Full of great stories and beautiful photos. Includes a section on RollerJam that is very informative. If you ever watched the Bay Bombers week after week, you must get this one!

Keith Coppage's book is a long overdue tribute to a sport that many of us enjoyed and that was taken from us all too quickly. Like the sport itself, the book moves quickly from change to change and has its share of humor and absolutely no pretensions. Baron Wollman's excellent black and white photographs also capture the essence of the Derby -- edgy, gritty and hard-edged. If the demise of Roller Derby in 1973 was like a death for some of us, Keith Coppage's book provides the long-overdue burial and memorial service.

For those who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 60's and early 70's will enjoy this book especially if you were a fan of Roller Derby. It brings back so many memories of all those skaters who gave me their entertainment best. Like pro-wrestling, Roller Derby became more of a sports-entertainment over the years but the performers were still top-rate athletes. A great read.

The book is a surprisingly honest portrayal of the inner workings of the controversial sport of Roller Derby. Many rumors about its demise are discussed in detail, with the participation of the original promoter. The author isn't afraid to name names, but never descends to the level of expose. It's a fast-paced, all-too brief narrative which serves as a microcosmic history lesson regarding the economics of running an entertainment event. The book always places the Roller Derby in the context of the developing American culture which spawned it. It can be enjoyed as a history chronicle, a sports study, and as a portrait of the entertainment industry. For my money, it's the non-fiction book to buy this year. The many photographs and rare memorabilia depictions place the book into the coffee-table category, as well. Top notch!

Tells all about the History of the game from beginning to the end in 1973. Tells it like it was and like it is. The only thing I didn't like about it is that the section on Roller Jam was a little too short they could've done more interviews with the Jam Skaters. All in all, The book is great!

A great book with *all* the inside stuff on both Roller Derby and the new RollerJam. Come out of the closet Roller Derby/Jam fans this is for us all!

This book has it all, the history, the fun, the rumors put to rest. You read it and you can't put it down and it ends much too soon. The best book on Roller Derby by far. The pictures are really rare, and the story is told with humor. It is essential for the fan!! Has good info on the new Roller Jam and is well worth the hunt for it!

The book all Roller Derby fans have been waiting for. Tells what really happened when the game closed down in the 1970's and why. Incredible photos from long ago. Great for fans of the Roller Jam too. If you loved Roller Derby or Roller Jam you will probably love this book. Fun to read and ends too soon!!!!! Full of surprises.