The African; A Novel. Hardcover – 1 Aug. 1977

Very good read recommend a good book for history buffs

I found the first forty pages or so of this a bit hard going, but it was well worth persevering with because after that I just couldn't put it down. The African is the story of Hwesuhunu who is kidnapped and sold into slavery, and of the degradation, humiliation and ultimately the heroism, courage and camaraderie of countless men women and children who were enslaved throughout America and the Caribbean. I don't think this is a literary gem, and it could have been more emotional in places, but in the end that didn't matter and I was compelled to read on. The African is incredibly well researched and an amazing story. It's important that stories like this continue to be told.

Its true that Harold Courlander sued Alex Haley for plagiarizing "The African" when writing "Roots." Since then. many commentators who have clearly not read both books in their entirety have dismissed Haley as a fraud and have given the impression that "Roots" was a direct copy of "The African."I read this book (after reading "Roots" earlier) over the summer on a bus coming from a family reunion in Washington DC to South Carolina. This is a great book, but the similarities with "Roots" ends with the basic subject matter and the slave ship scene, which was the source of the suit. Beynd that, the characters and stories of Wes and Kunta Kinte take on different dimensions altogether.Wes, the title character in this novel, has some really interesting adventures. After being captured from Africa and brought to North America, he deals with slavery, encounters with American Indians, and some adventures with residents of a "free Negro" settlement. These episodes are told in a page turning fashion and for the rapid reader, its a good overnight or weekend read. Courlander's background in world folklore helps him with authentic details.So both for its place in history and just for interesting reading, "The African" is a good way to spend some time. It's not "Roots," , but still a fine book.

Unforgettable, not as memorable as the film version of Roots in my opinion, but a must read for those interested in the subject.

Peace. Great tale! Alex Haley needs to be wiped from history. Peace.

Nice copy. good read, I don't get people saying Alex Haley plagerized this book, they're nothing alike.

Corner of a few pages folded