Roots: The Saga of an American Family

Whatever parts are fact or fiction, it's obvious the world needed this book -- but especially black and white Americans. It lays to bare the horrific exploitation of slavery whose effects continue to this day. Race was used an excuse to dehumanize an entire continent of people for greed. Haley successfully re-humanized the enslaved to provide an accurate portrayal of slavery's victims. Similar books are still needed for a variety of aggrieved people who have suffered the worst effects of colonialism. But Haley probably accomplished his goals better than anyone else could have dreamed.

Even if the dear professor above says this book is fiction, one can not dismiss the fact Alex Haley was an exceptional writer. This is the only book I've ever read that I've literally screamed aloud and thrown across the room. While I didn't think it was purely autobiographical, I got the feeling that it wasn't so far from the mark with the history of African Americans in the USA. It's erroneous to dismiss Haley as one of the greatest writers of our times simply because some of the story ideas where slightly amelgamated into Roots. You can say the same thing about John Jakes 'Love and War' and Tolstoy's 'War and Peace'. Being inspired by a story is not the same as plagarizing and as it says in one of the oldest books on the planet, 'There's nothing new under the sun.' They said the same about MLK with plagarism and I question the motives. If you liked this book, also read his biography of 'Malcolm X'. Spike Lee did a major disservice to Haley's writing in the movie version as it didn't capture the sheer magnitude of the man like Haley did.

I first read this book when I was 8 years old, I remember the powerful influence it had on me back then. I re-read it and got even more out of it the second time. Truly a wonderful book.

A tremendous book chronicling a family's history over a 200 year period from their homeland in Africa to their enslavement in the United States to their eventual emancipation. Unforgettable characters.

I agree with the comment below that the quality diminishes as we leave Kunta Kinte and move on to subsequent generations of the family. I think this book is still worth reading because the first several hundred pages are excellent. And the last few hundred pages aren't so bad either; they just don't live up to the start of the book.

I'm glad I finally read the book after seeing the movie a couple times while growing up.

Roots follows the life of Kunte Kinte from his birth in a small African village, through his capture and sale into slavery in the United States and the life he builds for himself and his family there. This is a wonderful, all encompassing novel of strength, love and perseverance.

Kunta kinta

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.

This is so far the best book i have read in my life. This book really makes you join the family adventure as if you where there with them to experince ther thrilling story life.

i was never intrested in the struggles of the african american race, until i read this book. it pulls you in and you wont put it down nomatter what level of reading you are at. i still have yet to see the mini series but i dont feel that i need to after the book.

Kunta Kinte, the african, who is judged 'inferior', 'person with lack of undersanding' by the white society only because of the color of his complexion,his legacy survives even through the cruel and humane practice of slavery through many generations. It's indeed a sad book, but a worth reading.

Roots is a moving and sometimes very sad story... Alex Haley showed White America 'the hororrs witnessed by blacks for the lst 400 years' 10/10 stars READ IT!!!

I've read 'Roots' twice. It's moving and it has you thinking about life and of what it used to be. This book is great! Read it.

All I have to say is I am 16 and I love this book. It's great. It makes you realize a lot of things. Long but good! You gotta love Kunta Kinte!

Alex Haley masterfully depicts the journey of an African man captured then sold into slavery, and that of his decendants. From the village of Juffure to Arkansas, every sentence in Haley's captivating epic is beatifully crafted. The novel is as informative as it is provocative. It brilliantly displays the emergence of an African American family from an African man.

Roots is the story of an American family. Since it is a classic, it has withstood the test of time. There is some violence, so don't read it if you are under 13. Roots takes place in west Africa & the southern United States. The main character, Kunta Kinte, is strong & he's named for hiw grandfather- a great warrior. Kunta Kinte is taken to the United States and he is sold into slavery. This book provides escape & a sense of history. But, it took a much longer time to read than I expected. If you have a lot of time on your hands, I would recommend this book.

i belive that he expressed his feelings within the book itself i'm only 23 and this is number one book i read almost every summer. people who think it is boring don't understand the concopt of the whole story. i love this book and i think that a person can write anything they want too, this book is a preview of what is in the further.

Alex Haley's 'Roots' captures generations of love, tears, pain, strife, sacrifice, and happiness in 700-something pages. I found myself getting so involved and moved by the characters' stories that I often had to put the book down (it was not a 'light, summer novel' as someone had told me!)A great book nonetheless and a MUST READ for the younger generation.

It may not be all totally true for his line but it is a great story for the ages. I couldn't put it down in some parts and was so heart broken that I swore I didn't want to read anymore in other parts. I love the style it was written with and the determination it instills in anyone who reads it.

I first got interested in Roots from seeing the miniseries back when I was little. I didn't really understand what I was watching. Last year, the miniseries came on television for Black History Month. I was so engrossed in it that I decided to read the book. I have read the book twice and I am now doing a research paper on the novel in college. I felt what Alex Haley was feeling during those 12 years of researching information for this novel. Everyone should know there backgrounds and ancestors. It takes a lot of determination and brillance to be able to travel to many different places to find out about your family's genealogy. Alex Haley is a wise individual and I thank him for teaching myself and other African Americans about their heritage.

It can be observed throughout the entire book of Roots a repeating pattern of events that allow me to think about how for generations a family could hold on to their faith, beliefs, and traditions no matter what. Also, throughout this long life-span journey of Kunta Kinte and his proceeding family tree, and their experiences with the opposing lives of free-men and slaves, the author presents a precise central idea or opinion that is past down from generation to generation. This central idea is so clearly emphasized by the title of the book, Roots. Alex Haley¿s opinion on the importance of a family or individual¿s roots or origins is much similar to the necessity of roots for the survival of plants; that provide anchoring and support. Not only did Haley believe that roots played a key roll in his life and the life of his entire family tree, but that in some cases it is the only noble aspect of life that one could be proud of, as it determines his identity. I am totally supportive of the author¿s opinion, as us human beings sometimes are stripped away from our natural and civil rights and are left with nothing to hold on to but the spiritual and historical pragmatic aspects of life: roots, origins, faith, and religion.

yes i think this book is a good reader it realy covers back in the time of slavery and since it was past on generation to generation the story is truly a heart breaking memory of the past and what realy took place i would recomend this book to any one alex does a good job explianing his history