Roots by Alex Haley

Such a tremendous book, a powerful read that took me by surprise.

The first surprise was the depth of the story - perhaps the first third of the book - taking place in Africa.  My American-centricity simply assumed the story would take place entirely in the US.  The detailed telling of young Kunta Kinte's life in the African village of Juffure showcased its vibrancy and humanity, and perhaps even its normalcy versus my preconceived notions.

The horror of Kunta's crossing on the slave-ship to America etched a deep transition into the story and the credibility of mankind.  It didn't surprise me, but the detailed unfolding and inhumanity of the journey was jarring.

Another surprise, however, was the ascendancy of the characters in the story through their development of skilled trades.  I expected the story to focus on the daily horrors of slavery in the fields.  Roots instead focuses on the lives of people like Kunta, a decades-long chauffeur for his master, George, a renowned cockfighter, and Tom, a highly skilled blacksmith.

I was also surprised how the story continued through the generations, starting with Kunta, but continuing through perhaps seven generations and ending with Alex Haley himself.  I didn't know the story was to end with the author, revealing Roots as the story of his own roots.

A highly impressive work whether you consider it a novel, a history, or a combination of the two.  It should be required reading for us all.