In Search of Our Roots: How 19 Extraordinary African Americans Reclaimed Their Past

In Search of Our Roots is a PBS documentary hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. that explores African-American immigration and ancestry in the context of the American political climate. It uses advanced genetic testing techniques to trace family sagas through U.S. history and back to Africa, bringing to life the recovered pasts of nineteen extraordinary African Americans.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 456 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2024
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing

Host of PBS's Finding Your Roots and renowned Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves into the intricate tapestry of African American immigration and ancestry within the framework of the American political landscape. Unlike the majority of white Americans who possess the privilege of accessing their ancestral records, tracing the lineage of African Americans poses a formidable challenge. The legacy of slavery relentlessly erased identities, robbing black men and women of their very names. Yet, from the depths of this oppressive era, have emerged generations of resilient individuals who have persevered, flourished, and achieved extraordinary feats.

For far too long, the family trees of African Americans have remained devoid of branches, but the advent of advanced genetic testing techniques, coupled with diligent archival research, has begun to unravel the mysteries of their past. Here, scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr., supported by an esteemed team of geneticists and researchers, embarks on an extraordinary journey, tracing the familial sagas of nineteen remarkable African Americans across the expanse of U.S. history and back to the continent of Africa.

Dr. Gates vividly brings to life the recovered histories of a diverse array of individuals, including Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Chris Rock, Tina Turner, Maya Angelou, Peter Gomes, Mae Jemison, Quincy Jones, Morgan Freeman, Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot, Tom Joyner, Benjamin Carson, T.D. Jakes, Linda Johnson Rice, Kathleen Henderson, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Don Cheadle, Bliss Broyard, Chris Tucker, and many more. In Search of Our Roots transcends the realm of mere history, emerging as a vital and groundbreaking work that illuminates the lives of ordinary men and women who, through courageous exemplars, paved the way for their illustrious descendants. By accompanying the nineteen contemporary achievers on their profound journey into the past and encountering their remarkable forebears, we gain a profound appreciation for the intricate threads that connect generations, fostering a deeper understanding of our shared heritage and the remarkable individuals who have shaped our collective story.

Weight: 522g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781510778856