Roller derby is back, en masse! Scores of American women are leading double lives. By day, they are librarians, financial analysts, bartenders, teachers, and even mothers; by night, their athletic alter egos assume authority with monikers such as Helen Wheels, Dirty Britches, Anna Mosity, and Assaultin’ Pepa. They lace up their skates, slide into racy racing uniforms, and adorn a full set of protective gear for a night of down-and-dirty derby.

In Roller Derby, readers confront this die-hard sport in all its various incarnations, from the original depression-era games through the days of RollerJam to its current crazed, nationwide revival. If you don’t have a league in your city, wait about a week. Fishnets and quad skates are bound to soon appear. Derby is springing up everywhere, from both coasts and everywhere in between—even across the pond.

What started as a dance-a-thon-style test of endurance has evolved into a unique sport that exemplifies point scoring, body checking, speed, blood, punches, and miles and miles of personality and style. Readers revel in vignettes from old-school and new-school girls, continuing on with the process of selecting a derby name and style, the artistic element to logos and uniforms, so-gruesome-you-just-have-to-look injuries, what’s legal during a bout and—more importantly—what’s not, and much more.

Encircling the story of roller derby are vintage promo paraphernalia and historical photographs, as well as stunning, full-color and black-and-white, modern-day shots of the women, the bouts, and the sport.