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This "bold . . . extraordinary . . . blockbuster . . ". (Newsweek) begins with a birth in 1750, in an African village; it ends seven generations later at the Arkansas funeral of a black professor whose children are a teacher, a Navy architect, an assistant director of the U.S. Information... read more

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The book Roots is about begins at an African Village called Juffure in 1750, and ends seven generations later. In the beginning, a son is born to Omoro and Binta, and they call him Kinte Kunta. Kunta grows up from African traditions. However, when he is 17 years old, he is kidnapped by Whites... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

The book Roots is about begins at an African Village called Juffure in 1750, and ends seven generations later. In the beginning, a son is born to Omoro and Binta, and they call him Kinte Kunta. Kunta grows up from African traditions. However, when he is 17 years old, he is kidnapped by Whites and is shipped along with thousands of other AFricans in a ship to Annapolis. He is taken as a slave, but he tries to escape and by the fourth time, he finally does. He is taken in by another Massa, a master, but this one is more generous because he does not use a whip. Kunta is given the name Toby. He works there as a drive-man for 45 years. While these years, he marries Bell, a cook for the Massa. They have a baby named Kizzy. However, she is taken to jail when she is sixteen because she wrote a fake pass for her lover, Noah. She is taken to Massa John and she has a baby named George. Then, he meets Matilda and they get married. 2 generations later Alex Haley is born along with four other siblings.

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First Sentence edit see section history

Early in the spring of 1750, in the village of Juffure, four days upriver from the coast of The Gambia, West Africa, a manchild was born to Omoro and Binta Kinte.

Series & Lists edit see section history

This book is in Books to Read in 2011. (community list)
This is book 114 of 213 in Best English-Language Fiction of the 20th Century. (authoritative list)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Alex Haley (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Dell
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1976
ISBN: 0-440-17464-3
Page Count: 729

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Notes for Parents edit see section history

Reading Level: Adults

Mature young adults would probably be interested.

More Books Like This edit see section history

   
  • In Search of African History & Liberation

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