Add BookmarkRoots: The Saga of an American Family
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 color... (show more)
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.
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I started this book with some trepidation -- it was over 900 pages and as a "classic" I wasn't sure if it was something that would be a good read. I was so happy to find out that it wasn't a good read; it was a great one.
The thing that blew me away was not the interweaving of history, although that was well done. It was the amazing characterizations of each generation. It seems like such a stretch to say that every character was multi-dimensional when the ensemble is so big, but i... (show more)
I started this book with some trepidation -- it was over 900 pages and as a "classic" I wasn't sure if it was something that would be a good read. I was so happy to find out that it wasn't a good read; it was a great one.
The thing that blew me away was not the interweaving of history, although that was well done. It was the amazing characterizations of each generation. It seems like such a stretch to say that every character was multi-dimensional when the ensemble is so big, but it's true. I can't remember the last book that I read and was able to truly love every single character.
What an amazing accomplishment. Haley truly deserves all of the kudos and rewards he received for this book.
Off topic -- the one disappointing thing about this book was that the publisher didn't seem to care to find a proofreader for it. The mistakes are many and obvious and really interfered with my reading. (show less)
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Reading roots again, was one of those things that I always like to do periodically, I don't think that its a book that you can read once. This book personifies the hopes and dreams of an American family to break the chains of slavery. The reading of it recently brought to mind the chains that are still being worn, while not physical chains, they have bound many people nonetheless. I think that Alex Haley manages to reach into the past and bring the history of American slavery to life. The... (show more)
Reading roots again, was one of those things that I always like to do periodically, I don't think that its a book that you can read once. This book personifies the hopes and dreams of an American family to break the chains of slavery. The reading of it recently brought to mind the chains that are still being worn, while not physical chains, they have bound many people nonetheless. I think that Alex Haley manages to reach into the past and bring the history of American slavery to life. There is something tangible about the way that he writes this novel. I found myself remembering what was so wonderful about these characters, I felt the pride that Kunta Kinte had and its a pride that I have in myself, we have to overcome insurmountable odds in life and claim our freedom. Be it from physical bondage or from a state of mind. I love this book, every reading of it brings some new discovery. Even if you have to read it over the course of years, or get the audiobook (Avery Brooks does a wonderful reading). Take the time to read this saga of an AMERICAN family! (show less)
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