Roots: The Story Of Roots By Alex Haley

The author of Roots, Alex Haley wrote Roots because he was searching for clarity. As a young boy, he listened to the stories his grandmother would tell him about their ancestors. Haley became intrigued with the early generations of his family. Haley decided that he would go as far back as possible to find out more information on his ancestors. After 12 years of traveling and research he finally gathered all the information he needed and decided to write a book on the saga of his family. He titled the book Roots. His highly anticipated book was released in 1976. This book is based on a true story.

Kunta Kinte was born early spring of 1750, firstborn child of Omoro and Binta Kinte. Kunta was named after his grandfather Kairaba Kunta Kinte, who was a highly respected elder in the village of Juffure in Gambia, Africa. Kunta was born into the Mandinka tribe which are faithful Muslims. As a young child Kunta faced many challenges including starvation, and illness. When Kunta was in his second kafo, (African for stages of life.), he participated in manhood training, where he learned how to hunt, fight, and most importantly avoid the Toubob (African name for white slave catchers). After Kunta successfully completed manhood training at age 15, he moved out of his parents hut and built his own hut. While in his own hut, he became bored and lonely, so he occupied himself playing the drum.

One day, Kunta went to find some wood to make a new drum, when he heard a twig snap. When Kunta turned around it was the Toubob, and a slatee (African name for an African who betrays their country and helps white colonists’ capture Africans to be slaves). Kunta put up an incredible fight, he clawed, bit, and scratched the Toubob but he was struck in the...

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...ight. George learned fast and became one of the best chicken trainers in North Carolina. He was nicknamed Chicken George.

Chicken George married a young slave from another plantation, Matilda. Chicken George had a son named Tom Murray, which was his first born child. Altogether Chicken George and Matilda had eight children; Tom, Virgil, Ashford, George Jr., James, Louis, Kizzy, and Mary. Virgil married Lily Su in which they had a baby girl, Uriah. Tom married a woman named Irene, they had seven children; Maria, Ellen, Wini, Matilda, Elizabeth, Tom Jr., and Cynthia. Cynthia married a man named Will Palmer. They had one child, Bertha George Palmer. Bertha married Simon Alexander Haley who was previously married to Zeona Hatcher in which they had one boy, Lois Haley. Bertha and Simon had George Haley, Julius Haley, and Alex Haley, who is the author of Roots.