Rating: 
Summary: A thought provoking book
Review: The first 150 pages are rather slow but once you make it through that the book gets more interesting. Although the writing is not so good, the subject matter and story are stimulating. I had never thought much about slavery prior to reading the book and found the book thought provoking. Reading a book set from the perspective of the slaves really highlights their suffering and allows one to imagine how it would feel. I recommend this book for the subject matter rather than the writing quality.
Rating: 
Summary: A Classic! A Masterpiece!
Review: I won't even try to do Haley's work justice through my own words, but I was delighted to have finally read the book. I watched the made for "TV" series when I was young, but this book exceeded all of my expectations. I couldn't put this book down!! It's the kind of book that you keep reading as you brush your teeth, stir dinner on the stove, etc. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!!!!
Rating:
Summary: No matter what they say this is a masterpiece
Review: I've read through someof these reviews and found them quite interesting. Some of them even hinting that this book isn't real but fiction. Quite the contrary. I think this book is amazing, never have I seen anywhere someone who has spent half of his/her life trying to discover his family that is special even more so that he was able to discover his family as far back as to Africa. I am not African American but I respect what has happened to their-Ancestors-.Haley writes in an interesting manner, with what little information he possesed he was able to weave it into a 587 page book, but quite the page turner none the less. It starts in 1750 (I think thats when I don't have my copy with me) with a baby born, Kunta Kinte. He is the main character for most of the book, mainly because he was the most of whom Haley heard about. It follows life in Juffure, his village and you feel happy for the little boy growing up. Eventually reality hits and he's a slave, his foot is injured and scares that will remain for the rest of his life. Marrige and child follows and again your happy for the Kinte family. It's amazing how this man kept up the faith through everything. He would never eat pork or drink it was amazing. The end tells the story of his family up to him, when he finally tells how he discovered Kunta Kinte and his heritage. I loved this book and will read it again.
Rating:
Summary: The Chapter of History that Nobody Wants to Talk About
Review: Easily, this is the best book I have ever read. It is touching and interesting while being heartwrenchingly painful. We see Kunta as a young child, growing up in Africa and then becomign a slave in America. My favourite character was, without a doubt, Tom Harvey, Kunta's great-grandson. I liked his grit and determination as well as his pride of his people. This is a simply amazing book. Alex Haley is a literary genius. Read this book, and then see the mini-series, and you won't regret a second of it. When you put this book down, you won't be the same.
Rating: 
Summary: Inexusable --- fiction posing as genealogy
Review: Don't get me wrong --- I thought the story contained within "Roots" was gripping, and it was well written. Also, it is obvious that the underlying truths of slavery in America are echoed within the story of "Roots." If Haley had written and marketed this as a novel, based loosely on some of his family stories, I would be giving this 4 or 5 stars. Unfortunately, his purported family history simply isn't true, and not only is it not true, but it has been deliberately distorted by Haley so that his story would have more punch to it. Haley has long since lost credibility within both the fields of black history and genealogy, and even Haley (after receiving much criticism) conceded that he had taken "artistic license" with some details, although he never acknowledged the true breadth of his distortions. If you want to see how inaccurate "Roots" is, check out an article written by Elizabeth Shown Mills & Gary B. Mills in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly (Volume 72 #1 pp 35-49), which absolutely shreads both the American & African aspects of Haley's alleged family history. It will make it difficult to read this book with much enthusiasm. It is hard to have much respect for Haley; he deliberately distorted his family's story, never fully owned up to that fact, and then basically rode the gravy train that was "Roots" for the rest of his life. To me, that is beneath contempt. Read the book if you must, but understand that it is almost pure fiction.
Rating:
Summary: One of THE BEST books I've ever read
Review: This book was so much more detailed than the movie. I could not stop reading it. It helped me to understand why blacks are bitter about a lot of things.
I was very sorry when the book ended! I also recommend Malcolm X's autobiography.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, Heart-Wrenching
Review: Dear, what a novel! It is positively brilliant! I felt so miserable when the young African was taken from his homeland and treated in such a dispicable manner. All through this man's family... every tear, every drop of blood, I felt like I was living through them. It made me ponder for hours about my ancestry. Where am I from? Where were my ancesters taken from? Your heart races, and your brain sweats all at once so you feel as though you would explode. Absolutely magnificent, Alex Haley! Absolutely wonderful!
Rating:
Summary: An essential book that all Black people MUST read
Review: Only one word can describe Roots by Alex Haley: Masterpeice. This book is not only a history of Alex Haley's family, it's also a chronichle of american history. From following the stories of Kunta Kinte, Kizzy, Checken George and Tom we learn about that unwritten history americans are unwilling to discuss or acknowledge. From reading this book I learned about the "root" causes of the issues inthe black community. Kunta Kinte represents the "Aware" black who has to deal with the devaluation and dismissal of his culture and heritage in order to validate American culture like many modern muslims and othr pro-black organizations. Want to understand why blacks have such a hard time with police? The "patarollers" poor whites who acted as slave catchers are in many ways similar to our modern day police. Overseer=Officer. The relationship between Kizzy and the Waller's niece is often the way Whites see blacks: as pets or children. In additon the relationship between Massa Lea and Chicken George also depicts moder black/white business relationships:You can do all the work, but you will never be considered an equal partner. Finally with Tom we see the young enterprnur in black business. A black man who struggles from up from slavery and eventaually finds success in spite of racism. Tom's success leads to the eventual succes of the Haley family. This is a powerful book, you will laugh, cry, and be very angry after reading it. "Roots" is a must read for every black person,but most of all black men. I advise every black mother and father to buy this book along with Gifted Hands, and Manchild in the Promised Land for their sons if they are graduating from Junior High, High school and College. THese books are must reads for any young black male who is growing up.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Flow
Review: The Most striking feature according to me in this book is the way the transition that has been made from one character to another. You seem to be reading about someone like Kunte or George or Kissy for sometime and suddenly something happens and all of a sudden a new twist comes into the story. This is what really keeps the reader engrossed.
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: I don't even know how to describe the feelings felt while reading "Roots." Calling it simply "amazing" is an understatement. Through the time Kunta was born to the end of the saga, it leaves you wanting more. You cry right along with the characters. The impact of this book is impossible to wage. It is my favorite book. If you are literate, you should read it!
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