Roots: The Saga of an American Family (30th Anniversary Edition)

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More About This Book

Overview

One of the most important books and television series ever to appear, Roots, galvanized the nation, and created an extraordinary political, racial, social and cultural dialogue that hadn’t been seen since the publication of Uncle Tom’s Cabin. The book sold over one million copies in the first year, and the miniseries was watched by an astonishing 130 million people. It also won both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. Roots opened up the minds of Americans of all colors and faiths to one of the darkest and most painful parts of America’s past. 

Over the years, both Roots and Alex Haley have attracted controversy, which comes with the territory for trailblazing, iconic books, particularly on the topic of race. Some of the criticism results from whether Roots is fact or fiction and whether Alex Haley confused these two issues, a subject he addresses directly in the book. There is also the fact that Haley was sued for plagiarism when it was discovered that several dozen paragraphs in Roots were taken directly from a novel, The African, by Harold Courlander, who ultimately received a substantial financial settlement at the end of the case. 

But none of the controversy affects the basic issue. Roots fostered a remarkable dialogue about not just the past, but the then present day 1970s and how America had fared since the days portrayed in Roots. Vanguard Press feels that it is important to publish Roots: The 30th Anniversary Edition to remind the generation that originally read it that there are issues that still need to be discussed and debated, and to introduce to a new and younger generation, a book that will help them understand, perhaps for the first time, the reality of what took place during the time of Roots.
 

This "bold . . . extraordinary . . . blockbuster . . ." (Newsweek) begins with a birth in 1750, in an African village; it ends seven generations later at the Arkansas funeral of a black professor whose children are a teacher, a Navy architect, an assistant director of the U.S. Information Agency, and an author. The author is Alex Haley.

Editorial Reviews

Sacred Life
Roots is the fictionalized account of Alex Haley's family history and an epic narrative of the African American experience. For many African Americans, the novel and the history-making television miniseries it begot were pivotal in their understanding and appreciation of their origins. The story traces Haley's family history from the imagined birth of his ancestor Kant Kin in an African village in 1750 to the death, seven generations later, of his father in Arkansas. Based on fifteen years of research by Haley, the novel is a combination of fact and fiction&#8212it is often referred to as faction&#8212that puts a human face on the suffering of black people through the ordeal of the Middle Passage, slavery, and Jim Grow. Its combination of compelling, affectionate storytelling and informative history has had a revolutionary effect on the way Americans&#8212black and white&#8212think about the history of a people.

The story, like that of Olaudah Equiano, begins in an idyllic African world destroyed by Europeans. Haley's description of Kinte's journey to America in the hold of a slave ship is harrowing and indelibly memorable. Kinte is enslaved in America but is still proud, refusing to forsake his African name or heritage. He passes on stories of Africa to his daughter, Kizzy, who bears a child, Chicken George. George is a successful cockfighter whose father is also his master&#8212a common situation in the time of slavery but one that is treated with unusual sensitivity here. George passes the stories of his grandfather on to his children, including Tom, who marries a part-Indian woman named Irene. Tom and Irene have eight children, one of whom is Haley's grandmother. She passes the family stories to her daughter, who passes them on to Haley. Haley, in turn, tells the story, from Kunta Kinte to Chicken George, to his own grandmother, to his children.

Haley has been accused of plagiarism and his book has been criticized for historical inaccuracies, but the novel holds up as a powerful representation of the full African American saga. Haley tells the story of his family&#8212and, by extension, the story of all black people whose family histories are lost in the mists of time&#8212with an immense amount of respect and tenderness. Amidst the undeniable misery of slavery and Jim Crow, he always reveals the outstanding characteristics that sustained his family&#8212spirited resistance, cunning survival instincts, and a will to remember and pass on. James Baldwin captured the book's appeal when he wrote, "Alex Haley's taking us back through time to the village of his ancestors is an act of faith and courage, but this book is also an act of love, and it is this which makes it haunting."

More Reviews (1) Fewer Reviews
From The Critics

It's hard to believe that it has been 30 years since Alex Haley's groundbreaking historical novel (based on his own family's history) was first published and became a worldwide phenomenon. Millions have read the story of the young African boy named Kunte Kinte, who in the late 1700s was kidnapped from his homeland and brought to the United States as a slave. Haley follows Kunte Kinte's family line over the next seven generations, creating a moving historical novel spanning 200 years. Avery Brooks proves to be the perfect choice to bring Haley's devastatingly powerful piece of American literature to audio. Brooks's rich, deep baritone brings a deliberate, dignified, at times almost reverential interpretation to his reading, but never so reserved as to forget that at its heart this is a story about people and family. His multiple characterizations manage, with a smooth and accomplished ease, to capture the true essence of each individual in the book. Michael Eric Dyson offers an informative introduction to Haley's book, but it is Brooks's performance that brings the author's words and history to life. Simultaneous release with the Vanguard Press paperback reissue. (June)

Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781593154493
  • Publisher: Vanguard Press
  • Publication date: 5/28/2007
  • Edition description: Anniversar
  • Edition number: 30
  • Pages: 912
  • Sales rank: 55,023
  • Product dimensions: 5.80 (w) x 8.20 (h) x 2.10 (d)

Meet the Author

ALEX HALEY taught himself to write during a twenty year career in the U.S. Coast Guard. After retiring, he worked as a freelance magazine writer. His first book was The Autobiography of Malcolm X, on which he was collaborator and editor. Roots: The Saga of An American Family was his second book, for which he was awarded special recognition from the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award committees. He also wrote A Different Kind of Christmas, available from Random House Value Publishing, and Queen, a sequel to Roots. Haley died in 1992.

Customer Reviews
Average Rating 4.5
( 111 )

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  • Posted May 16, 2009

    more from this reviewer

    I Also Recommend:

    A Fantastic Account, truly an outstanding book

    As a young girl I remember sitting in front of the television with my family to watch Roots when it had been made into a series. Over the years I have often wanted to read the book and find all the missing parts that the limited series had left out. I am so very glad that I did. The author took me to a time when human slavery was a common place, and allowed me to feel the attrocities that took place during that time. I felt the pain, love and courage of the people and was very glad to be transported to a era that has long been forgotten and should never be. If you would like to read a book that is a fantastic read as well as a eye opening experience, read this book.

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted April 12, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    Amazing.

    Alex Haley was my great-uncle, and although I never got to met him, this book helped me get to know him though his writing. This book is an exceptional story about my family's history and I am so proud of my uncle Alex for writing it.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted February 9, 2010

    Book Review of Roots.

    Roots, by Alex Haley, is an unforgettable novel that might even have you reaching for the tissues. This book tells us about Americas past when we were still thirteen colonies and when slavery was a big issue for the new country. Roots opens up a perspective on slavery that most have never experienced before and some who probably never will. The book Roots by Alex Haley is a book filled with exiting characters, a suspenseful plot that will keep you turning the pages, and a theme like no other.

    The characters in this touching novel are very well detailed by the author, it's almost like your right there looking the characters in the face. The main character is Kunta, a small village boy who is very well disciplined, his mom Binta, his dad Omoro, and his three younger brothers, Lamin, Swadu, and Mali. When Kunta becomes older and earn his manhood his little brothers look up to him as a role model.

    The plot in Roots is like no other, it takes place in two places, in his home country of Africa and then the slave based America. It is extremely detailed, it's like you are there right next to the characters! The plot of Roots changes rapidly sometimes and is slow, saddened and mellow, and sometimes it is exciting, energetic.

    The theme of Roots is sometimes exciting and sometimes it is mellow. In Roots the theme changes rapidly and can sometimes surprise you. For instance one moment Kunta could be running away from slave catchers and then the next thing you know he could be in a cage with his feet and hands locked together in chains.

    The book Roots can have you reaching for the tissues or sometimes have you laughing. I recommend this book because it is a very good experience for someone who takes the time to read this book. Alex Haley's Roots, has an exciting plot of characters, a plot like no other, and a theme that can change on you within seconds.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 21, 2007

    Excellent

    Great Story Stretches over 200 years and follows several different generations starting with Kunta Kinte and ending with Alex Haley. Recommend this book to everyone paints a very clear picture.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 22, 2012

    Nothing like the movie

    Although nothing like the movie it helps the reader to understand the plight of slavery

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 2, 2012

    Generation 2 Genaration

    Thnx for making the best book ever ,
    Mr or mrs haley

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 31, 2011

    Quality read

    I really enjoyed this book but the only downside is the long length.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 6, 2011

    Great Book!

    After reading the book I watched the DVD. Both were great.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted December 6, 2011

    roots

    the book is just as riveting as the movie.it brings to life the hardships faced by the black Americans so many years ago.following the lives of these people as they fight for their freedom shows us how strong one can be when they have to.they never let anyone or anything stop them from achieving what they wanted.i can't imagine being manhandled like these people were.everyone should read this book and find out how the black people have earned their rights in America.i believe that it should be required reading for high school students studying American history.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 19, 2011

    Roots the book u need ro read

    I am 12 years of age and read a lot of girly books but when it comes to this book it was the one. I love this book i would read it again and it was like watching the series of episidos. I liked it a lot.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted September 25, 2011

    My past

    Am 12i saw the movie roots at age 7 am lerning about my history and what my people has gone throw So i really think that an color person should anf needs th read this book

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted March 22, 2011

    everyone should read this

    I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a must read for anybody intersted in reading American history.

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  • Posted January 13, 2011

    A Must-Read

    Heartbreaking, shocking, and brilliant. This book leaves its reader not only with a deeper understanding of the horrors of American chattel slavery, but with a "marrow-deep" appreciation for the power of family history. Taught me, touched me, and shook me to the core - an unforgettable book.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted January 5, 2011

    Excellent Book!!!!!!!!

    Couldn't put the book down. Was using my daughters nook and she was getting annoyed with me using her nook caused me to have buy one for myself. Strongly suggest this book to everyone.

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  • Posted October 31, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    Among the Most Important Books That I Have Read

    I loved this book when I read it. It is a great story about the scourge of slavery in the United States told through the eyes and history of a particular family.

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  • Posted April 13, 2010

    more from this reviewer

    What A Great Book!

    So far Roots is a great book.
    I suggest it to anyone.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 22, 2007

    sometimes plagerism is good

    It was a shock to me that Alex haley confessed to many points of plagerism in his book 'Roots' It has been ahile since I read this book but there our scenes within it that I will never forget. I was just talking about the bookj today and I figured I would finally come and give the books its well deserved 5 stars. Read this book, it is great.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 28, 2007

    A reviewer

    I like the book and the movie is also great, and in episode 6 of the movie, the whites help the slaves escape, and they go west. I just think that it must've taken a lot of courage to do that, knowing that you could get lynched, but I just admire those ho helped the blacks escape.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted June 4, 2007

    A reviewer

    I read this book when I was 19, and it left a great impact on me, I can still remember how I felt when I was reading the book. I know that the author has received a lot of criticim about the book and even had to settle with another author because of some borrowed lines but to me he has woven a very beautiful and intricate tail, I believe he was able to paint a picture close to reality from the ship carrying the human slaves to the way they were treated and how they lived their lives, their hopelessness, anger they can't express, sadness, simple joys, feeling love... This is a book that is very close to my heart. I very much reccomend it becasue it is informative, will broaden your minds and opens a picture that we can learn a lot from. Happy reading!

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 8, 2007

    Roots

    I first heard about the book Roots by Alex Haley when my mom was talking to her sister about how great the television miniseries was. I had forgotten all about how great everyone said the book was until I was in my high school library one day and came across Roots. I was overjoyed and immediately rushed to the librarian to check out the book. It was a very lengthy book weighing in at 729 pages, but it was also a very fascinating book to read. I found it amazing that Alex Haley was able to make what you would think would be a boring subject, the history of Alex Haley¿s family, so interesting. My favorite part of the book is when Kunta Kinte is growing up in Africa. This is because I learned a lot about Kunta¿s tribe¿s traditions such as manhood training when all the boys of the Third Kafo or third generation were taught how to be men. My least favorite part of the book is when Kunta has been captured and is being transported aboard a slave ship to America. This is a very dull and disgusting part of the book because for about ten pages, Alex Haley describes the rocking of the boat and the human waste laying around were Kunta is chained down. In conclusion I would recommend this book to everyone because it is very interesting to learn of the struggles of an African American family over seven generations.

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