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Scars & Stripes: The Culture of Modern Roller Derby
Join photographer and skater Andreanna Seymore on her fearless journey through the world of roller derby, beginning with her serendipitous introduction to the sport in 2008. Modern roller derby is a vibrant, empowering, and revolutionary movement transitioning from obscure subculture to mainstream pastime on both a national, as well as global, stage. Action-packed and emotionally provocative photographs taken over a five-year period reveal the joy, pain, and dedication of these athletes on and off the track. Enriched by riveting and often touching commentary from nearly one hundred skaters, coaches, fans, and referees, this book captures the daring, entrepreneurial spirit of the participants, the extraordinary bonds that form, and the invigorating and infectious fanaticism that characterizes every bout. An increasing number of male, co-ed, and junior leagues all share a strong, do-it-yourself ethic that combines fierce athleticism with elements from punk, camp, and third-wave feminist aesthetics. In part because of this non-discriminatory nature, roller derby is currently the fastest growing sport in America."
176 pages, Hardcover
First published October 10, 2014
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 10, 2015
I've always had a fascination with roller derby. Maybe it's because it's a sport where girls are encouraged to be strong and bad ass. Maybe it's because I have a preference for fashion that involves fishnets and bright makeup. Or maybe it's got to do with my love of names that involve a sharp pun. Regardless, I've always been interested in derby culture. In fact, once my local team hosts "fresh meat" auditions, I have every intention of going and getting involved. When Scars and Stripes came onto my radar, I knew I needed it ASAP. I'm glad it lived up to my hopes.
This book gives a great, uncommon insight into the derby world, glimpses that most "outsiders" don't get a chance to see. It includes behind the scenes stories and photographs of both male and female derby skaters. From icing bruises, to Jell-o wrestling, to national championship victories and drinks with the team, this gives an honest and heartfelt look at one of the most underrated (in my humble opinion) sports around today. I really loved hearing what all the skaters had to share. They have great memories and fierce loyalty and dedication. It was so cool to read about. I liked that a lot of ages, teams, genders, and stories were represented in this book, giving the book a well-rounded feel.
And then of course there's the photography, which is absolutely phenomenal. The colors, the shots, the stories the photographer is able to tell with her pictures is amazing. They gave great insight and illustrated the skaters' stories well. It made this book the kind of book that I would come back and flip through over and over again. In addition to being a great story told about the life of roller derby skaters, it's also a work of art. I was blown away.
If you're interested in roller derby, involved in it, or just want to look at some stunning photography, Stars and Stripes is the book for you. Thanks to Netgalley & Schiffer Publishing for my copy in exchange for my honest review.
This review can also be found on my blog, Bitches n Prose.
This book gives a great, uncommon insight into the derby world, glimpses that most "outsiders" don't get a chance to see. It includes behind the scenes stories and photographs of both male and female derby skaters. From icing bruises, to Jell-o wrestling, to national championship victories and drinks with the team, this gives an honest and heartfelt look at one of the most underrated (in my humble opinion) sports around today. I really loved hearing what all the skaters had to share. They have great memories and fierce loyalty and dedication. It was so cool to read about. I liked that a lot of ages, teams, genders, and stories were represented in this book, giving the book a well-rounded feel.
And then of course there's the photography, which is absolutely phenomenal. The colors, the shots, the stories the photographer is able to tell with her pictures is amazing. They gave great insight and illustrated the skaters' stories well. It made this book the kind of book that I would come back and flip through over and over again. In addition to being a great story told about the life of roller derby skaters, it's also a work of art. I was blown away.
If you're interested in roller derby, involved in it, or just want to look at some stunning photography, Stars and Stripes is the book for you. Thanks to Netgalley & Schiffer Publishing for my copy in exchange for my honest review.
This review can also be found on my blog, Bitches n Prose.
October 30, 2014
I have vague memories of watching roller derby on tv as a kid, although I don't remember any details or even where I would have seen it. But like a lot of mainstream America, I was reintroduced to derby by the Drew Barrymore movie Whip It, where I kind of fell in love with the feminist counterculture feel of the sport. I've since gone to a few bouts in my town, and I have to say I still love it. (Slaughterhouse Derby Girls, Greeley folks!) It's one of the few sports that's driven primarily by women, although this book has a healthy representation of the growing men's derby movement.
But what I love most is that this is a sport that celebrates all the stuff that mainstream society neglects most of the time. Derby is about as all-inclusive as you can get, as these photos attest. Socioeconomic status, educational background, body type, religion, ethnicity - none of it matters in derby. And best of all, roller derby is filled with competitive, aggressive, athletic, confident women. Hard to find fault with that.
As for the book itself, it's a really quick but also compelling read. The text is minimal, consisting mostly of quotes from derby girls (and boys) from around the country and even around the world about their experiences in the sport and what it has meant to them. But it's the photos that were the biggest draw for me. Photos from actual bouts are minimal. Instead, we get to see the behind-the-scenes action that really highlights the culture of derby. We see everything from the bruises and broken bones to the ever rarer party excesses and the everyday lifestyles of derby girls. The photos are colorful, fun, and most importantly they're interesting and respectful. It's fairly evident that the author came to consider herself an insider in the roller derby world, and I feel confident saying that at least some of these photos would never have been taken if she hadn't gone to such lengths to really understand and reflect the truth of derby.
Such fun to flip through.
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
But what I love most is that this is a sport that celebrates all the stuff that mainstream society neglects most of the time. Derby is about as all-inclusive as you can get, as these photos attest. Socioeconomic status, educational background, body type, religion, ethnicity - none of it matters in derby. And best of all, roller derby is filled with competitive, aggressive, athletic, confident women. Hard to find fault with that.
As for the book itself, it's a really quick but also compelling read. The text is minimal, consisting mostly of quotes from derby girls (and boys) from around the country and even around the world about their experiences in the sport and what it has meant to them. But it's the photos that were the biggest draw for me. Photos from actual bouts are minimal. Instead, we get to see the behind-the-scenes action that really highlights the culture of derby. We see everything from the bruises and broken bones to the ever rarer party excesses and the everyday lifestyles of derby girls. The photos are colorful, fun, and most importantly they're interesting and respectful. It's fairly evident that the author came to consider herself an insider in the roller derby world, and I feel confident saying that at least some of these photos would never have been taken if she hadn't gone to such lengths to really understand and reflect the truth of derby.
Such fun to flip through.
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
June 2, 2015
I've thought for a number of years that I was made for Roller Derby. I have a slight ::cough:: temper and aggression problem, and for a complete non-athlete like me, this felt like the ideal sport.
But quite naturally, I assumed I would kill myself or others just trying.
This book both confirms that, and makes me think I could handle it. Don't ask me how it does both simultaneously. That's part of what makes it so special.
The pictures on their own are phenomenal, and then you read the stories attached. I want to go to bouts featuring all of these ladies and gentlemen, and root loudly for each and every one of them. You see just how much of their all they put in, bruises and breaks included.
My one complaint would be, I wish we saw more of the other side of their lives. We had one flight attendant, and one farmer's daughter, and that was it. The juxtaposition between lawyer and roller derby girl are so huge, I want to see it. It felt like a tease.
I admit I was far more interested in seeing the girls than the guys. Hunky men in skates are fantastic, but I went into this wanting girl power. Reading about the New York Shock Exchange was fun, though, and the further we got in, you read about all the respect these guys have for the derby girls, and that meant a great deal to me.
A fantastic book, truly. And maybe I need to find out where the derby girls play around here.
But quite naturally, I assumed I would kill myself or others just trying.
This book both confirms that, and makes me think I could handle it. Don't ask me how it does both simultaneously. That's part of what makes it so special.
The pictures on their own are phenomenal, and then you read the stories attached. I want to go to bouts featuring all of these ladies and gentlemen, and root loudly for each and every one of them. You see just how much of their all they put in, bruises and breaks included.
My one complaint would be, I wish we saw more of the other side of their lives. We had one flight attendant, and one farmer's daughter, and that was it. The juxtaposition between lawyer and roller derby girl are so huge, I want to see it. It felt like a tease.
I admit I was far more interested in seeing the girls than the guys. Hunky men in skates are fantastic, but I went into this wanting girl power. Reading about the New York Shock Exchange was fun, though, and the further we got in, you read about all the respect these guys have for the derby girls, and that meant a great deal to me.
A fantastic book, truly. And maybe I need to find out where the derby girls play around here.
August 22, 2015
This book is awesome!!! It has great pictures of modern-day roller derby flat track at its best. a great coffee table book with lots of cool pictures in it.
May 22, 2019
Books #18-20: Soon after moving to Austin, TX, about ten years ago I was introduced to the fascinating wonder that is flat track derby and rollergirls. If you have never gone to flat track derby, you need to. It's amazing and fantastic. It made a comeback here in Austin then it became big again across the country
Two books of photographs capture the rollergirls and their sport in all their splendor from their creative names (Bonnie Collide, Bettie Rage, Mo Pain, Fisticuffs, Vicious Van GoGo) to them not hesitating from hurting each other at times if that's what's needed to win. Those books are "Scars and Stripes: The Culture of Modern Roller
Derby" by Andreanna Seymore and "Rollergirls: The Story of Flat Track Derby" by Felicia Graham.
Those are good supplements to a book by Melissa "Melicious" Joulwan, "RollerGirl: Totally True Tales From The Track," where she describes seeing roller derby and seeing out joining a team, learning what she had to do to be a good player and her experiences as a rollergirl. It's all fun, amazing stuff - well, except when they got hurt. I give them all 8's. All three books are available via the Austin llbrary. .
Two books of photographs capture the rollergirls and their sport in all their splendor from their creative names (Bonnie Collide, Bettie Rage, Mo Pain, Fisticuffs, Vicious Van GoGo) to them not hesitating from hurting each other at times if that's what's needed to win. Those books are "Scars and Stripes: The Culture of Modern Roller
Derby" by Andreanna Seymore and "Rollergirls: The Story of Flat Track Derby" by Felicia Graham.
Those are good supplements to a book by Melissa "Melicious" Joulwan, "RollerGirl: Totally True Tales From The Track," where she describes seeing roller derby and seeing out joining a team, learning what she had to do to be a good player and her experiences as a rollergirl. It's all fun, amazing stuff - well, except when they got hurt. I give them all 8's. All three books are available via the Austin llbrary. .
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews