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Curling Rocks!: Chronicles of the Roaring Game
Drawing on author John Cullen’s years of experience as both a stand-up comic and an elite curler, Curling Rocks! offers a lighthearted, expertly detailed look at a unique sport and its history, from the most absurd curling fashions to the most sublime matches ever played.
The sport of curling continues to expand its global reach, attracting new players and fans far beyond traditional strongholds. Yet, even in Canada—a country with a long curling history and fifteen hundred clubs of its own—the game is often dismissed as an eccentric pastime.
According to author John Cullen, this is because curling is both inherently funny and chronically underestimated as a battle of skill and strategy. And Cullen is perfectly qualified to make this double-edged not only is he a stand-up comic with many years of experience at the mic, but he’s had years on the ice as an elite curler.
Because most previous books on curling have been either how-to guides or standard biographies of prominent players, there has long been space for a reader-friendly overview of the “roaring game” (a nickname inspired by the sound of the forty-pound stone en route to its target). Curling Rocks! sets out to fill this gap with a lighthearted, expertly detailed account of the sport, ranging from the absurd to the sublime. Next to his observations on ill-fitting fashions and odd scandals—among them “Broomgate,” when controversial new sweeping technology almost took out the curling world—Cullen offers insights on everything from the greatest matches ever played to the peculiar heartbreak that comes with losing.
In these inviting, irreverent and often deeply personal essays, Cullen finally gives the perplexing, beloved game its due.
The sport of curling continues to expand its global reach, attracting new players and fans far beyond traditional strongholds. Yet, even in Canada—a country with a long curling history and fifteen hundred clubs of its own—the game is often dismissed as an eccentric pastime.
According to author John Cullen, this is because curling is both inherently funny and chronically underestimated as a battle of skill and strategy. And Cullen is perfectly qualified to make this double-edged not only is he a stand-up comic with many years of experience at the mic, but he’s had years on the ice as an elite curler.
Because most previous books on curling have been either how-to guides or standard biographies of prominent players, there has long been space for a reader-friendly overview of the “roaring game” (a nickname inspired by the sound of the forty-pound stone en route to its target). Curling Rocks! sets out to fill this gap with a lighthearted, expertly detailed account of the sport, ranging from the absurd to the sublime. Next to his observations on ill-fitting fashions and odd scandals—among them “Broomgate,” when controversial new sweeping technology almost took out the curling world—Cullen offers insights on everything from the greatest matches ever played to the peculiar heartbreak that comes with losing.
In these inviting, irreverent and often deeply personal essays, Cullen finally gives the perplexing, beloved game its due.
- GenresSportsNonfiction
320 pages, Paperback
Published February 3, 2026
7 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
December 23, 2025
i love curling and this is a book about curling sooooo
November 25, 2025
“Curling is a sport whose strategy demands years of study. Its physical precision requires years of practise, countless rocks thrown in small-town curling clubs. It simply isn't good enough to be strong or fast or dedicated.”
John Cullen’s opening chapters include funny stories about athletes and ordinary Joes and Judys who think that curling is a gateway sport to the Olympics, that if you’re athletic enough you can just start throwing rocks and before too long, b(r)oom, you make the team, get the rings tattooed on your forearm and Bob’s your uncle, you’re an Olympian. But after reading Cullen’s chronicles of life as a curler (he took it up seriously at the age of 13), I have learned that it is not that easy. I mean who knew what they meant when they said Team X has the hammer? Who knew that it is basically chess on ice? Who knew that players of the “Gentlemen’s Game” once had to wear heavy sweaters and a tie?
I read Chapter 5 twice and I’m still not 100% sure what a raise is. I was a swimmer and rower there is no strategy in those sports. Cullen writes, good athletes can’t just go to the Olympics as a curler. But…if you read John Cullen’s book, I think, maybe, you could probably get a lot closer to that Olympic dream.
Joking aside, Curling Rocks isn’t just a how-to about curling, or a how did I get into curling memoir, it is a collection of essays written by someone who loves the game, someone who relishes in the ‘cellies’ (but also did you know that losers get free beer?); someone who loves the best losers as much as the winners; who creates the best fictional teams by name (Team Kaitlyn needs some new players); someone who knows so much about curling and the best curlers that he created his own Frankenstein version of the best curler. Taken as a whole, this book is a joy to read because Cullen’s voice spills joy all over the pages of this very funny book. Maybe this is a Canadian thing, but I haven’t met the guy yet and I think he’s probably the best curler in the whole world and is just being polite, or perhaps only curling for the beer?
Thanks to Douglas & McIntyre for my reading copy.
John Cullen’s opening chapters include funny stories about athletes and ordinary Joes and Judys who think that curling is a gateway sport to the Olympics, that if you’re athletic enough you can just start throwing rocks and before too long, b(r)oom, you make the team, get the rings tattooed on your forearm and Bob’s your uncle, you’re an Olympian. But after reading Cullen’s chronicles of life as a curler (he took it up seriously at the age of 13), I have learned that it is not that easy. I mean who knew what they meant when they said Team X has the hammer? Who knew that it is basically chess on ice? Who knew that players of the “Gentlemen’s Game” once had to wear heavy sweaters and a tie?
I read Chapter 5 twice and I’m still not 100% sure what a raise is. I was a swimmer and rower there is no strategy in those sports. Cullen writes, good athletes can’t just go to the Olympics as a curler. But…if you read John Cullen’s book, I think, maybe, you could probably get a lot closer to that Olympic dream.
Joking aside, Curling Rocks isn’t just a how-to about curling, or a how did I get into curling memoir, it is a collection of essays written by someone who loves the game, someone who relishes in the ‘cellies’ (but also did you know that losers get free beer?); someone who loves the best losers as much as the winners; who creates the best fictional teams by name (Team Kaitlyn needs some new players); someone who knows so much about curling and the best curlers that he created his own Frankenstein version of the best curler. Taken as a whole, this book is a joy to read because Cullen’s voice spills joy all over the pages of this very funny book. Maybe this is a Canadian thing, but I haven’t met the guy yet and I think he’s probably the best curler in the whole world and is just being polite, or perhaps only curling for the beer?
Thanks to Douglas & McIntyre for my reading copy.
Read
December 21, 2025My favourite parts were the chapter on the infamous Kevin Martin throwaway (I’d heard of it but didn’t know the details, and John told the story in a highly entertaining way) and the chapter on other details of Broomgate that weren’t in the podcast. I’m generally more interested in the history of the sport, so the more silly chapters like the Frankenstein one didn’t really work for me.
I did catch two errors in the chapter on the female GOAT: he said that Kerri Einarson has never won a World Championship medal, when in fact she has two bronzes (and they were both very recent so I’m not sure how that was overlooked), and Rachel Homan also has a World bronze in addition to the silver and three gold (she has never been to Worlds and not medaled).
I definitely want to read more curling books. I’ve had Written in Stone on my shelves for a bit and he mentioned it in the acknowledgments, so maybe that one soon.
I did catch two errors in the chapter on the female GOAT: he said that Kerri Einarson has never won a World Championship medal, when in fact she has two bronzes (and they were both very recent so I’m not sure how that was overlooked), and Rachel Homan also has a World bronze in addition to the silver and three gold (she has never been to Worlds and not medaled).
I definitely want to read more curling books. I’ve had Written in Stone on my shelves for a bit and he mentioned it in the acknowledgments, so maybe that one soon.
November 29, 2025
I enjoyed this book. The book has several strengths. The game is well-explained, with some good illustrations. I loved some of Cullen’s philosophical musings about curling and sportsmanship. And I did find some humour in the writing. But I am not a huge fan of curling although I do follow the game and so I found certain parts of the book too detailed for my taste. I also found that the author’s enthusiasm for the sport was not contagious. But I think that more ardent curling fans will adore this book and if I wanted to buy a gift for a curler, this would definitely be it. Thank you to Edelweiss and Douglas & McIntyre for the advance reader copy.
Review of advance copy
If you're a curler you'll love this book.. if you're just someone whose been interested by that weird ice sport you'll love this book! John does a great job at making this book for everyone not just those who already love the sport. As a curler myself i found lots in this book to be relatable and funny. My fave chapter was CH 17 by the way.
Review of advance copy
Wow this book was excellent. I have been a curler/curling fan for years. This book is written with great humour. Lots of details but still digestible for non-curlers and curlers alike. I couldn't put the book down.
Review of advance copy
I’m relatively new to the sport of curling, and would’ve loved to have had this book around when I first got involved.
It covers the 101 basics of the sport, the history, the stars, and some of the great stories.
John presents it all in an entertaining, easy to read, friendly style.
It covers the 101 basics of the sport, the history, the stars, and some of the great stories.
John presents it all in an entertaining, easy to read, friendly style.
October 26, 2025
This truly is a love story to curling! I recommend this to all! Come fall in love with curling. ... It's an Olympic year don't ya know!
Review of advance copy
An enjoyable book even for the occasional curling fan.
Read
January 19, 2026Read this if you're a die hard curling fan I guess...
But beware the narrative voice is incredibly annoying... and repetitive...
DNF
But beware the narrative voice is incredibly annoying... and repetitive...
DNF
January 21, 2026
3.5/5 stars
January 24, 2026
I really enjoyed this book and I already know how to play curling but it did give me some tips
Review of advance copy
Despite the obvious place for a Kaitlyn jones / Caitlin jones shoutout that didn’t quite make it to the Libby copy, this was really really fun. I want one of those old school, cool curling cardigans
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews