• Roots

  • The Saga of an American Family
  • By: Alex Haley
  • Narrated by: Prentice Onayemi
  • Length: 27 hrs and 36 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (176 ratings)

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Roots  By  cover art

Roots

By: Alex Haley
Narrated by: Prentice Onayemi
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Publisher's summary

Roots is a groundbreaking story of history and family that spanned continents and touched generations. 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, and we continue to feel its reverberations today.

©1974 Alex Haley. Copyright renewed 2004 by Myran Haley, Cynthia Haley, Lydia Haley and William Haley (P)2023 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about Roots

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  • HJ
  • 03-18-23

Always amazing!

At a time when the voice of historically marginalized people continues to be diminished or silenced, this accounting provides the opposite to all Americans. My second time listening to this and this newer version is better narrated than the Avery Brooks one, in my opinion. Nevertheless, regardless of the narrator, the story is vibrant and rich and excerpts should be read and discussed in every American classroom.

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What a great historical family record!

I love the background information about the research process, and the story is read perfectly, truly a work of art!

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Heartbreaking Edifying

The first segment of this book is thoroughly engaging as the reader learns about the rich culture of the Mandinka people. The second segment is utterly gut wrenching as we are reminded of the utter depravity of mankind as we watch the slave trade in action. The balance of the book is, as the subtitle says, a saga of an American family. It is rich in character development and in story telling. I would recommend it to anyone.

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Amazing

I had always heard of this book, and had seen snippets of the mini series, but nothing prepared me for the magnitude of this story. Full of heartache and hope, this book should be read by everyone. I love it and I wish I had read it sooner

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Favorite

Everyone human being across this planet should hear this book. By far my all time favorite.

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Worthwhile.

A saga for the ages. A must read, without which no education can be complete.

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Amazing story, excellently read!

I watched the movie as a kid. Always wanted to read/listen to the book. What an amazing story with beautiful writing. The narration was superb. Sad, poignant and vivid. Moved me to tears.

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I was too young in 1976-77 to watch the mini-series

but I was aware that it was likely the most important show broadcast in the decade. I was 9 or 10 when this aired and I wouldn’t have appreciated the significance. I chose to read and view the mini-series as part of an assignment in my Public History course on popular public history and I’ll write a paper. This is the best book I’ve read/listened to this year. The story will linger in the back of my mind for a very long time. It is genius.

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Incredible book

Published in 1975 & I only now read it. Wish I had read it in 1975. Might have changed my life for the better. And I’m white.

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Incredible !

Great story and history . Well written and narrated . Touches you personally because it represents so many families .

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