Alex Haley (1921–92,) fully Alexander Murray Palmer Haley, was an American novelist and biographer. His works of historical fiction and reportage portrayed the struggles of African-Americans.
Born in Ithaca, New York, Haley grew up in North Carolina and worked as a coastguard for 20 years 1939–59. He turned to write with the publication of The Autobiography of Malcolm X (1965,) which he co-wrote after the Black Muslim activist’s assassination.
Haley is also known for his successful Roots: The Saga of an American Family (1976; Pulitzer, 1977.) Beginning with the life of Kunta Kinte, an African who was enslaved and taken to America, this novel documented the history of African-Americans. Its optimistic approach rendered it accessible to a broad audience. It was being adapted for television in 1977, starring Cicely Tyson and Maya Angelou. It was followed by the successful sequel Roots: The Next Generations (1979.)
Haley’s Queen: The Story of an American Family (1993) was published posthumously.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Alex Haley
Either you deal with what is the reality, or you can be sure that the reality is going to deal with you
—Alex Haley
Topics: Reality
In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future.
—Alex Haley
Topics: Family
The way to succeed is never quit. That’s it. But really be humble about it … You start out lowly and humble and you carefully try to learn an accretion of little things that help you get there.
—Alex Haley
Topics: One Step at a Time, Endurance, Resolve, Perseverance
Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.
—Alex Haley
Roots is not just a saga of my family. It is the symbolic saga of a people.
—Alex Haley
Topics: Family
You have to deal with the fact that your life is your life.
—Alex Haley
Topics: Being Ourselves, Realization, Awareness, Acceptance
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