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  • Roots

  • By: Alex Haley
  • Narrated by: Avery Brooks
  • Length: 30 hrs and 5 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (538 ratings)
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Roots cover art

Roots

By: Alex Haley
Narrated by: Avery Brooks
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Summary

Tracing his ancestory through six generations - slaves and freedmen, farmers and blacksmiths, lawyers and architects - back to Africa, Alex Haley discovered a sixteen-year-old youth, Kunta Kinte. It was this young man, who had been torn from his homeland and and in torment and anguish brought to the slave markets of the New World, who held the key to Haley's deep and distant past.

©2011 Alex Hayley (P)2011 Random House Audio Go

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What listeners say about Roots

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Roots

This is the most powerful book I have read to date, third time reading and it still shocks , surprises and inspires me.
The world we live in is because of the many who suffered and they should never be forgotten .
Great story, great read and a great book

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6 people found this helpful

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An incredibly powerful book an essential education

A hard listen, to hear the experiences of a boy ripped from his people and thrust into the inhumanity of slavery. It should be on school curriculums so we are better educated on the horrors of slavery.

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1 person found this helpful

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An incredible journey

From a small village in Gambia in 1750 to the USA in the mid twentieth century and back again, this book crosses 200 years of history, both familial and worldly. The detail encapsulated in these 30 hours of audio is breathtaking; Roots is a disturbing yet wonderful dramatisation of Alex Haley’s family tree, beginning with the life and traditions of an African community, to kidnap and transportation to the USA during the slave trade. Throughout this book the standout feeling is that of family strength in the face of the abhorrent behaviour of others. The final section is a fascinating insight into Haley’s research of this book from the idea of writing it to its fruition - a great addition to this already epic journey. Avery Brooks’ narration is perfect.

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Blew me away

This book was so interesting. I read it originally about 35 years ago but, listening to it now, brought out so many emotions. What an indictment on mans inhumanity to man

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Amazing in every way

What a gripping story. The research and dedication that must have gone into it is phenomenal. I've always wanted to read it, but found the length daunting. Thank you, Audible.

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Facts versus Fiction

Base on my own humble opinion I truly enjoyed the book but despite the facts by the author I observed the story was Base on fiction which was carefully narrated based on small facts.

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Now I understand

This is a beautiful poetically told history of the best and worst of human life. Avery’s narration is flawless. Thank you Alex Haley for recording your family’s story so that we are all better able to understand.

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  • 10-11-21

Such an important story

I am glad I finally listened to this book. Its such an important story which needs to be told. However I wasn't too keen on the writers style, which although I guessed was intended to replicate the oral tradition of how the story was told through generations, felt wooden and repetitive at times.

I felt connected with many of the characters and I am glad Haley was able to connect his family story with facts from his research. Its really powerful.

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The most powerful book you’ll ever read

I have read the book several times and watched the tv series on history channel. This book is so powerful, it will stay with you forever. Despite the fact that I am familiar with the story I was still pacing the floor when chicken George was gambling away everything for his freedom. Alex Haley should feel proud of his accomplishments in documenting five generations of his family. Excellent audiobook.

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Superb

Loved every minute of it. Great storytelling and the narrator was so good at taking you through the history of the haley family.

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