Alex Haley: The Man Who Traced America's Roots

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“Roots changed the way we think about race in this country and profoundly affected the lives of many people. We are proud to present these important and timeless works by Haley that broaden our nation’s understanding and appreciation of the black experience in America.” - Jackie Leo, Editor-In-Chief, Reader’s Digest. For the first time ever, Reader’s Digest is publishing Alex Haley: The Man Who Traced America’s Roots—a collection of articles the Pulitzer Prize-winning author wrote for Reader’s Digest from 1954 to 1991. In this 176-page paperback book, Haley shares stories of triumph and resilience, of race and inequality, and the search that led to the groundbreaking book and TV miniseries, Roots. This special collection includes an excerpt from Roots and the candid article “Aboard The African Star” in which Haley reveals his struggles as a professional writer and as a man. This edition also features an introduction from Lawrence Otis Graham, one of the nation’s leading experts on race, politics and class in America. At a 1966 gathering with Reader’s Digest editors and co-founder, Lila Acheson Wallace, Haley pitched the idea of traveling to Africa to write a “story history” of his family. Reader’s Digest financially supported Haley’s research efforts over the next eight years as he traveled three continents and traced seven generations of ancestors across half a million miles. In 1974, Reader’s Digest published the first excerpts from Roots in a breakthrough article. This special edition also includes an additional chapter entitled What Roots Means To Me, featuring testimonials from Colin Powell, B.B. King, Robert Johnson and Halle Berry.

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