Roots: A Cultural History

Published in time for the 45th anniversary of the initial airing of Roots, this historical analysis integrates culture critiques, ideological analysis, and political and cultural studies to shed new light on an essential show.

The journeyofRootsfrompage-to-screen-to-popularculture momentisworthy ofa deep exploration.Rootswas notjustanother televisionseries; it capturedthe attentionofover seventy-fivemillionviewersduring itsinitial broadcastand continuestohaveresonancewithin popularcultureand televisionhistory.Someforty-plusyearsafterthe originalbroadcast, the frequentsyndicatedbroadcastingofthe originalseries,theavailabilityofthe programon streamingplatforms,anda recentremakeofthe seriesbythe HistoryChannel reflectthe continuedimpactandinterestinthe program.Currently,no book-lengthstudyofthe impact andaftermathoftheRootsbroadcastexist;athoroughexaminationofthe programislong overdue.