Remembering Roots: How an American Classic Transformed the World

by Lucas L. Johnson II

Discover how the book and TV miniseries Roots became a cultural phenomenon that has shaped our understanding of heritage, race, identity, and family for fifty years.


As we approach the 50th anniversaries of Alex Haley's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Roots (1976) and its landmark television adaptation (1977), journalist and storyteller Lucas L. Johnson II reflects on the enduring legacy of Haley's work through the voices of those it continues to move, including scholars, artists, genealogists, students, and original cast members like LeVar Burton and Ben Vereen.


With vivid personal anecdotes, emotional tributes, and probing reflections, Remembering Roots shows how Haley's vision gave birth to a genealogy movement, inspired generations to reclaim their identities, and challenged America to confront its past. From a sixth-grader who became the first lawyer in her family, to a blind musician empowered by his father's retelling of Roots' most iconic scene, Johnson traces the ripple effects of Haley's griot storytelling across time and culture.


As debates rage over which histories get told, Remembering Roots boldly asserts the necessity to remember and retell our stories. A call to action, this book reaffirms that storytelling is not just an art--it's a path to healing.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

221 pages, Hardcover

Published June 16, 2026

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan]

I won this book at LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review. Entered to win: early April. Informed won: 4/28. Received book: 6/11. Read: 6/11-15. Reviewed: 6/16. Publication date: 6/16.

I’m thrilled that I got a finished hardcover edition and received it 5 days before the official publication date. I’m always excited to get books in advance.

The show Roots was an EVENT. I was newly living in a communal place at the time and about 6 of us gathered around the one tv and eagerly watched every episode. I read the book after I saw the show, if I’m remembering correctly, but it’s been half a century and I don’t remember for sure that that is the order I did it. The book was great. The show packed a punch. It was brutal and it was inspirational and it was amazing. I don’t think I ever saw the remake of the show Roots and until I read this book I’d forgotten that it was made.

I’m surprised by how needed THIS book felt a half century after Alex Haley’s Roots.

I liked reading about how the show and the story and aspects of the story affected various people. My favorite section though was the one about Alex Haley. I hadn’t known that much about him even though I had read his books and seen the Roots show.

I am shocked by how many very young children watched the 1977 miniseries. I saw it in my early 20s and it was devastating and difficult for me to watch. What’s interesting though is that these now adults remember it and its importance to them, and none seem traumatized; it seemed that they found it to be a positive experience.

There are a few black & white photos. I wish that there were more but I’m glad some are included.

This book is 221 pages long. I actually haven’t read pages 103-190 yet. That section is an excerpt from Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley. I don’t like abridged books. I’m not sure what to do. Perhaps the included section was well chosen and I should just read it but I’m tempted to reread the entire book instead. I would hope that this book would inspire readers to read Haley’s book, especially if they haven’t already. I’d rather that than having such a huge portion of that book in this book. In this book a few excerpts would have made sense and would have been needed, in my opinion, but having it be 40% of this book seems weird to me. Sadly, I no longer own my copy of the original book but I’m sure I could borrow a library copy.

I could have finished and reviewed this book well before its publication date but USPS decided to play with it and take the book on a vacation before they delivered it. Look at this circuitous route, and of course they left it on the porch vs. inside the building. 6/3: Pre-shipment info sent to USPS. Accepted at USPS facility Sterling, VA. 6/4: Arrived at USPS facility Dulles VA distribution center. Departed Dulles VA distribution center. 6/5: Arrived at Washington DC distribution center. 6/6: Departed USPS facility. In transit to next facility. Arrived at USPS facility Avondale AZ. Departed USPS facility Avondale AZ. In transit to the next facility. Arrived at USPS facility Bell Gardens CA. Departed USPS facility Bell Gardens CA. 6/7: Arrived at USPS facility Los Angeles CA distribution center. Arrived at USPS facility Avondale AZ. 6/8: Departed Avondale AZ. Arrived USPS facility Los Angeles distribution center. 6/9: Departed USPS facility Los Angeles distribution center. In transit to the next facility. In transit to the next facility. Arrived USPS facility San Francisco CA distribution center. 6/10: Departed San Francisco distribution center. Arrived at USPS facility San Francisco distribution center. Departed USPS facility San Francisco distribution center. 6/11: Arrived at Post Office San Francisco CA. Out for delivery. Delivered. They put it on the porch; they’re supposed to leave it inside the building if it doesn’t fit in the mailbox but I got instant notification and was able to run downstairs and get it before it was stolen. Whew!

Between that weird delivery delay and having an extraordinarily busy weekend I was not able to finish the entire book by the day before publication, which is what I wanted to try to do. Also, I finished a long novel and wanted to do my regular Monday review reading at Goodreads. At least the read all the new portions of the book before publication and was able to review what I’d read on publication day. I’m still trying to decide what to do but I’ll probably read the included excerpt because I figure those parts of the original book were included for a reason. If I have anything more crucial to say after I do that I’ll come back here and edit.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K]

Quick Summary: A cultural guide, a powerful history, and an inspiring challenge

My Review: Remembering Roots: How an American Classic Transformed the World by Lucas L. Johnson II "reflects on the enduring legacy of [Alex] Haley's work through the voices of those it continues to move, including scholars, artists, genealogists, students, and original cast members..."

This book is categorized as "Arts & Photography | History | Nonfiction (Adult)." The audiobook is being released by RB Media on 6/16/26.

About the Book: "With vivid personal anecdotes, emotional tributes, and probing reflections, Remembering Roots shows how Haley's vision gave birth to a genealogy movement, inspired generations to reclaim their identities, and challenged America to confront its past.

...this book reaffirms that storytelling is not just an art--it's a path to healing."

In My Own Words: A beautiful collection of "sacred gifts" that accounts for a proud history and continues to resonate, educate, and empower

About the Audiobook: This book was narrated by James Shippy, who delivered the text with pure heart and soul. His performance beautifully honored Alex Haley, Roots (both the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and its landmark television adaptation), the contributors, and the author himself.

Some of My Favorite Points of Reflection (contemporary coding included):

🙌 - BEHOLD!
⏳ - The Past Is Not Dead
👤 - The Naming of an Identity
🛖 - The Griot's Attic
🌊 - Experiencing Freedom's Journey
🧬 - Ancestry.YOU
🌳 - The Essence of Roots
👣 - Sacred Gifts

My Final Say: Remembering Roots was a sensational book that spoke to my heart. In truth, I could sit and listen to it on repeat, knowing that with each exposure, I would most definitely walk away with a new treasure. It was filled with rich perspectives on a history that has motivated - and still motivates - generations of people to "BEHOLD."

This book is a celebration of life and lives. It is a declaration of what was, what is, and what must be. It is a call to claim and reclaim dignity and legacy.

Remembering Roots enriches and stimulates, granting readers/listeners an opportunity to "find the good and praise it."

In the end, all I will say is that this book is timely and important. It dares to speak about what many would have exist in silence. It is a profound aftershock, a necessary conversation piece, and a story about a story about a story that stretches into the beyond of our ancestors.

Other: I would highly recommend this book to everyone. It can be enjoyed as an audiobook and/or as a digital reading experience. After reading it, however, I can attest that having a physical copy is warranted.

Remembering Roots deserves a permanent place in the canon of literature associated with AA Studies, Book/Film History Studies curriculum, Book to Film Book Clubs, and more. I would even go so far as to say that it would make a great family read aloud. Its value offers something meaningful for readers of all ages.

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: G
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Level: 💎
Format: 🎧
Narration: +
Cover: +
Book Club Worthy: Yes

Heartfelt appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (RBmedia | Recorded Books), and to NetGalley. Thank you sincerely for granting access to an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. The words I have submitted are my own thoughts and opinions. It was an absolute pleasure to review this work.

[TDE | ReadwithTDE]

Perhaps it's because 2026 marks 50 years since Roots by Alex Haley was published. Perhaps it's because this year also marks the 250th anniversary of American independence. Or perhaps it's because this book reflects on a work that was published the very year I was born.

Whatever the reason, this is one of those books I'll be recommending to everyone.

Going into it, I didn't fully appreciate the significance of Lucas L. Johnson II's approach. Then it hit me: Roots is no longer a cultural touchstone for many Americans. The television miniseries is rarely aired, and the book continues to face bans and challenges in schools and libraries. That means there are now multiple generations who have never experienced one of the most influential works of American literature.

Johnson doesn't simply analyze Roots, he reintroduces it. Through interviews, historical context, carefully chosen excerpts, and his own reflections, he reminds readers why Haley's work fundamentally changed the way America understood the story of enslaved people. By subtitling his work The Saga of an American Family, Haley shifted the narrative from one of anonymous bondage to one of ancestry, identity, and belonging.

Reading Johnson's work made something else abundantly clear: Haley researched and wrote so that Henry Louis Gates Jr. could one day host Finding Your Roots. Haley researched and wrote so companies like African Ancestry could help reconnect families to their origins. Haley researched and wrote to remind future generations that the story of Black families in America did not begin with slavery. It is a story of civilizations, families, resilience, resistance, survival, and roots that stretch across the African continent, through the Caribbean, and into North and South America, where our blood, sweat, tears, and lives helped build this nation.

This book isn't just about Roots. It's about why Roots still matters.

After reading, I'm left wondering...
How do we intentionally reintroduce foundational classics, both in print and on screen, to each new generation? I realized, almost with surprise, that Roots is no longer a regular part of our national conversation, not even during Black History Month. And perhaps that's exactly why books like this are so necessary.

Narration: The narrator brought this to life. I was immersed in it from the start. His voice transport you. Perfect pacing. Well done.

Mood: Read this if you're feeling nostalgic because Roots was foundational to your childhood and you've suddenly realized that experience wasn't universal then and certainly isn't now. Or pick it up if you're looking for a thoughtful tribute to one of the most important works of American history and storytelling.

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews]

Thanks to Edelweiss and Broadleaf Books for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Kids today will never understand appointment television. Before VCRs, TiVo, and DVR, if you wanted to watch something specific on television, you were at the mercy of the 4 networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, or PBS.) Fifty years ago, the TV miniseries was definitely appointment television; many blockbuster books were turned into multi-part movies for television. Roots turned out to be one of the biggest blockbusters for the small screen.

Remembering Roots looks back on the acclaimed miniseries and its impact on society. I was four years old when Roots first aired, and I remember watching it with my family. Everybody talked about the show the next day. Can you imagine today’s society collectively watching something six nights in a row. Sort of how the Super Bowl has become a water cooler topic, but this was for a whole week AND beyond. The book does a great job of relaying how Roots got people talking about race and the enslaved.

Not only did Roots bring about conversations about The United States messed up history of enslaving people, the miniseries also ignited a fire into many people to research their ancestry. A whole industry was created because people became more interested in their family’s past. Have you ever seen the PBS show Finding Your Roots? Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr created the show in part because of Alex Haley’s Roots.


What I found interesting about Remembering Roots was that the book was 50% analysis and anecdotal evidence, 30% of the book is just a chunk of Alex Haley’s work, which I thought was great in one way because my brain was fresh with all this information, but also weird because half the book was one big excerpt from another book. Still, it was worth the read.

[Janine]

On the fiftieth anniversary of the publication of Alex Haley’s award winning novel, Roots, this book had a monumental and lasting impact on America. While the book is filled with a lot of excerpts from Roots, it still offers insight into why this book and the 1977 TV series endures.

In today’s time with attempts to ban books or remove black history, it’s ironic that Tennessee’s General Assembly in 2024 made Roots an “official state book.” It’s hard to even discuss Roots the author notes in this time of anti-DEI thinking. Trying to erase history has failed many times and in many places. Roots is an example of this. The anecdotes and commentaries are interesting- I confess I’ve never read the book or watched the series but I remember talking about it when people who knew so little about enslaved people were shocked to discover it. That’s what the book and the series did. It opened eyes! It started a debate that must not end because of fragile white egos (at least I had two great grandfathers who didn’t pay $400 to shirk service in the Northern Army during the Civil War).

I especially enjoyed Chapter 8 about “ Alex.” I appreciated that the author pointed out Hailey was a journalist and that his contribution was great storytelling - that’s why his book endures - it’s now in my TBR list too.

Definitely Roots is a must read for understanding of our history. It made its impact during our Bicentennial year (1976) and in our Semiquincenntial year (2026) deserves to be remembered.

My thanks to NetGalley and Broadleaf Books for granting me access to this ARC.

[Liv]

Thank you to NetGalley and Broadleaf Books for this ARC!

Remembering Roots is a nonfiction book describing the ROOTS television program, how it was created and the influence it had on many. It also includes a segment of the original book by Alex Haley. While Remembering Roots is open about how influential the program was, it also doesn't shy away from reasonable critique, both of Haley, and the program. Despite it's flaws, Roots touched many, and sparked an interest in geneology, and connecting with one's ancestors, and the quotes from well-known figures, including LeVar Burton, highlight this. While I would've enjoyed a little more behind the scenes history of how Roots was filmed, and information on the new reboot, this was a poignant, and very timely read, as well as one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. It's also not incredibly long, so I was torn between wanting to read it in a single afternoon or letting it settle more.

[Mary Angel]

I was about seven years old when the miniseries, Roots, hit television, and it's impossible to express what a phenomenon that was, to see the brutality of slavery in your living room. Kunta Kinte, Chicken George, Kizzy, Fiddler became names that were not just discussed at home, but also in school. Roots was talked about everywhere. Remembering Roots brings all those memories back. It was awesome to read anecdotes of so many people who were touched by Roots and to also learn about Alex Haley's life before, during, and after writing Roots and how it affected his own life. There's also an excerpt from the book, which has inspired me to finally read it. Thanks to Broadleaf Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Lisa Davidson]

So thanks to NetGalley for letting me review this audio audioarc-- I'm shocked at how nostalgic it felt. I am one of the early viewers, and my family watched this when it was new. It was horrific and powerful but also felt very personal.
This is an interesting way to look back on it because it brings up that original community feeling and recounts a lot of the important events from the miniseries, while adding in the author's thoughts and ideas. Roots still holds up and it's worth watching, but this book is also worth reading together so we can talk about the past and how things have changed since Roots came out. The narrator does a great job.

[Rick Fifield]

A interesting book about how Roots shaped and changed television thru the eyes of those who saw it in 1976.

What is interesting about that was that there were no VCRs, no digital recordings of the show.

This book has an except of the book Roots that takes up 87 pages (103 to 190) I struggle with its placement in that location for even in the book itself.

I know for myself it was a shocking story that was showing a life many Americans knew existed but did not want to see it on their tv screens.

[dan]

does Haley's work justice and begins the steps to recover a legacy that has been intentionally defiled but the discussion is sometimes rather narrow. also the last page of the afterword urges his readers to "be civil toward one another" following Charlie Kirk's assassination. alright

[AL]

I remember watching Roots as a little girl and having lived close to where Harriet Tubman's home is, I've always been interested in Black history. I was really intrigued by this title especially since Haley's notorious novel was banned in TN, of all places, last month only to be thankfully reversed. Of course, there's also the endless controversy around his sources. Regardless, Roots has always been gripping and this novel really explores Haley's vision, his way of working to write Roots, and the everlasting impact the story has made for generations of all people, genuinely showing the possibilities around our origins, beyond our ancestors who lived their whole life in America.

Johnson did a fantastic job of focusing on what matters most about Roots and Haley and the significance of storytelling for all.