What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedRoots
Alex Haley · Series · 1977
If you loved Roots, start with Slaves in the Family (Edward Ball, 1998) — a book on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Roots across media.
If Roots captivated you with its sweeping multigenerational scope, these selections masterfully trace the enduring, intimate scars left by history across entire bloodlines.
Books on the same thread
Homegoing
Yaa Gyasi · Book · 2016
Shares a thread with Roots: Cultural identity.
Like Roots, this novel captures the vast, painful reach of the African diaspora, following the divergent paths of one ancestral lineage across centuries of intergenerational trauma and survival.
The Color Purple
Alice Walker · Book · 2011
Explores: female resilience, intergenerational trauma, sisterhood.
You will find the same profound exploration of resilience and systemic oppression present in Roots, as this story focuses on the indomitable spirit of women navigating a harsh history.
The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story
Nikole Hannah-Jones, The New York Times Magazine · Book · 2022
Shares a thread with Roots: African American History.
This work mirrors the historical mission of Roots by reframing the American narrative, centering the legacy of slavery as the foundational element of our modern national identity and history.
Slaves in the Family
Edward Ball · Book · 1998
Shares a thread with Roots: African American History.
This investigation echoes the genealogical drive of Roots, connecting the personal histories of slave-holding families with the descendants of the enslaved to confront the reality of historical memory.
Films on the same thread
12 Years a Slave
Steve McQueen · Film · 2013
Shares a thread with Roots: Historical Drama.
This film captures the visceral, harrowing struggle for dignity and freedom that defined the core of the Roots experience, focusing on the endurance of the human spirit under slavery.
Glory
Edward Zwick · Film · 1989
Explores: racial prejudice, leadership, courage.
If you appreciated the focus on black agency and resistance in Roots, you will value this portrayal of soldiers fighting both the enemy and the prejudices of their own army.
Gone with the Wind
Victor Fleming · Film · 1939
Explores: Survival, Reconstruction Era, Lost Cause.
This classic provides a different lens on the Civil War era depicted in Roots, offering a complex, often controversial perspective on the social structures of the American South.
The Color Purple
Steven Spielberg · Film · 1985
Shares a thread with Roots: Historical Drama.
Mirroring the emotional depth of Roots, this film explores the long-term impact of domestic abuse and social injustice, focusing on one woman's journey toward self-worth and ultimate survival.
Podcasts on the same thread
1619
The New York Times · Podcast · 2019
Explores: systemic racism, national identity, legacy of slavery.
This podcast expands upon the historical inquiry found in Roots, tracing the origins of slavery in America and its persistent, systemic influence on our current social and political landscape.
Slow Burn
Slate Podcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Political scandal, Archival research, Cultural impact.
Just as Roots utilized archival research to uncover hidden history, this series uses deep investigation to reveal the forgotten characters and events that shaped the American experience over time.
Keep exploring
Common questions
How long is the 1977 Roots miniseries?
The 1977 Roots miniseries is twelve hours long. It is a docu-drama based on Alex Haley's 1976 bestseller, Roots: The Saga of an American Family, which tells the epic tale of his ancestors over a period of more than 100 years.
What historical time period does Roots cover?
The story of Roots begins in the mid-1700s in Gambia, West Africa. The narrative continues through the American Civil War and concludes in the post-Civil War United States, covering a total historical span of over 100 years.
Is Roots based on a book?
Yes, the 1977 Roots miniseries is based on the 1976 bestseller titled Roots: The Saga of an American Family. The book was written by Pulitzer-prize winning author Alex Haley and documents the history of his ancestors.
Where does the story of Roots begin?
The epic tale told in Roots begins in mid-1700s Gambia, West Africa. It follows the history of Pulitzer-prize winning author Alex Haley's ancestors before moving to the United States and concluding in the post-Civil War era.