Regular Price $24.99

Starring:
Directed By: Graham Judd, 
Rated: NR (Not Rated)
Release Date: 2006-02-01
Studio: PBS Paramount
Format: Closed-captioned,  Color,  NTSC,  Widescreen, 

Editorial Reviews and DVD Information about African American Lives

Product Description
A compelling combination of storytelling and science AFRICAN-AMERICAN LIVES is an unprecedented four-hour series on PBS that takes Alex Haley's Roots saga to a whole new level. The series will profile some of the most accomplished African-Americans of our time using genealogy and DNA to trace their roots down through American history and back to Africa. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. W.E.B. Du Bois professor of the Humanities and chair of African and African-American Studies at Harvard UniversityDr. Gates will provide access to the day-to-day lives of several prominent African-Americans drawing on photographs film clips music and early personal records while a team of researchers genealogists and forensic DNA analysts will conduct investigations into their family histories. By spotlighting African-American role models the series hopes to inspire millions to consider their own heritage and underscore for all Americans the importance of knowing their past in order to unlock the future.System Requirements:Running Time 240 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. Rating: NR UPC: 841887051798 Manufacturer No: 705179

Customer Reviews for African American Lives

Really, really good television
A wonderful PBS program hosted by Henry Louis Gates. With the aid of historians and geneologists, Professor Gates researches his own history and that of several prominent African Americans. Each guest speaks of his or her own knowledge of their ancestors and Professor Gates fills in the gaps using census records, estate diaries, archives and DNA. Everyone is in some way surprised by what they learn concerning their lineage. Professor Gates is a gifted communicator, and the interaction between he and his guests is very interesting. I loved the segments with him and his dad and aunt. The parts regarding slavery are very moving--it's sobering to see how human beings were put on the level of oxen or cattle with some records not even listing their names. The guests appeared to be deeply touched when told of their enslaved ancestors. I would highly recommend this well made, fascinating DVD to anyone who is interested in geneology or African American issues, or really anyone.African American Lives

good production
Quincy Jones and I are related, so I found this video to be very enlightening. It was a well done piece about African American heritage.African American Lives

Informative and Inspiring
This video was very entertaining. It researches the family history of several prominent african amerians. It also provides a general history of blacks in slavery, Jim Crow years, the Civil War, The Middle Passage and the Great Migration. Specific information is given on how DNA can assist in geneology studies. I recommend this video for the family.African American Lives

Speechless!!
I watched this on PBS during it's initial airing. Unfortunately, many friends did not. I'm purchasing this now one as a gift for a dear friend and one for myself to watch with other friends. I found it extremely interesting and educational for people of all nationalities. Whether you are African-American or any other nationality this is something to watch. The diversity on the outcome of the research done on Oprah, Q, Whoopi, Chris Tucker, & all the others done during this research was astounding and very interesting. Just to find out Penn State doing the Master File on genetic tracking. Just a swab of your saliva from your mouth and your family genes can be backtracked to the actual birthplace of your family. Just so thought-provoking on so many levels.
African American Lives

African American Lives
I was so pleased with this project. This is an excellent source for college professors and instructors who teach courses on race. As someone who has lived in Africa, I was moved by Chris Tucker's reaction to the reception he received by the Angolan people. The idea that we can trace our ancestry to Europe, Africa the Middle East based on our DNA is absolutely fascinating. Finally African Americans, all Americans have a lens in which to view the concept that we are more alike than we are different. Henry Louis Gates is to be commended for his foresight and scholarship.African American Lives