who wrote the book 'roots' and was it a true account/?

Answer 1

Alex Haley. It was a fictionalised account of his familys history.

In 1976 Haley published Roots: The Saga of an American Family, a fictionalized account of his family's history, starting with the story of Kunta Kinte, kidnapped in Gambia in 1767 to be sold as a slave in the United States. This work involved ten years of research, intercontinental travel and writing. Haley went to the village of Juffure where Kunta Kinte grew up, which was still in existence, and listened to a tribal historian tell the story of Kinte's capture. He was also able to trace records of the ship, The Lord Ligonier, which carried his ancestor to America.

Haley said the most emotional moment of his life was on September 29, 1967 when he stood at the site in Annapolis, Maryland where his Kinte had arrived 200 years before. Roots was eventually published in 37 languages, won the Pulitzer Prize and went on to become a popular television miniseries in 1977. The book and film were both successful, reaching a record-breaking 130 million viewers when it was serialized on television. Roots emphasized that African Americans have a long history and that not all of that history is lost, as many believed. Its popularity sparked an increased public interest in genealogy, as well.

Answer 2

Alex Haley wrote it and I think that it would be classified as a fictional retelling of non-fictional events. I mean, the dialogue couldn't have been recorded, it's there to make the story more interesting, but the events recorded certainly did happen to, if not just Alex Haley's family, then to similar people.

Answer 3

Roots was written by Alex Haley, a very distinguished and well spoken black man. I am white, but I have the utmost respect for Mr. Haley, and yes it is all fact. It is about Mr. Haley's ancestors and I don't know exactly how many years it took but he researched the entire book thoroughly. He traced his ancestor, Kunta Kintay when he was captured in Africa. The trible he belonged to sold Kunta and several others to the slave traders.

Answer 4

Alex Haley wrote it, and the "truth" of it is in question.

I read the book many times, but as an adult, I saw that much of the writing was rather weak, and the parts of the story relating to slave life were perhaps too melodramatic for even a fictionalized version of his family history. There was a great deal of documented evidence to suggest that he lifted a great deal from other slavery books, including a book called "Mandingo"

For my part, I think the names and dates are likely true, the events mostly fiction, but the sentiment and message undeniably powerful and essential to modern Americans...and I am a white man, by the way.

Answer 5

Alex Haley and no it wasn't a true account. Some of the names were genuine, but the story was not.

Answer 6

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
who wrote the book 'roots' and was it a true account/?

Answer 7

Alex Haley-the events were true but I believe the lead character was made up to better tell the story.

Answer 8

Alex Haley wrote a complete work of fiction and tried to pass it off as fact. Later , when called on it, he equivocated calling it, "part fact, part fiction, faction" That must be one of the their words for a lie.

Answer 9

Alex Haley, and I believe so.

Answer 10

alex haley