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Roots

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Roots

By: Alex Haley
Narrated by: Avery Brooks
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About this listen

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 Classics Historical Fiction Fiction Heartfelt Inspiring Scary Thought-Provoking

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All stars
Most relevant  
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.

Amazing in every way

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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.

Facts versus Fiction

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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.

Now I understand

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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.

Such an important story

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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.

The most powerful book you’ll ever read

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

Superb

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An amazing narrative of human suffering inflicted on a nation of people still hugely relevant

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quality book. loved it value for money. slow start then I was hooked. enjoy as a historic based drama

amazing experience

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This is one of the best and most moving books I have ever read. Everybody should read this, of the horrors that man can bring against man and of the triumphs of a family. You can palpably feel the love and pride Alex writes of his lineage.

The performance is exceptional by Avery Brooks.

I would give 10 stars if I could. Fantastic!

Outstanding.

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My memories of the TV show for roots are obviously faded and I approached this book with trepidation expecting to get something filled with (justifiable) hate and emotional trauma. But in the end I think this is far more a story of hope and triumph than it is of bitterness and human suffering.

Alex Haley's story covers such an amazing timescale of Afro-American history and Avery Brooks has given a stunning performance.

Nothing like I imagined

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