Just not my style of nonfiction (masking as an academic text but then not really citing sources very effectively, and using very casual language), although I hope this book finds its audience!

Amazing look at how deeply embedded into the soil - literally - racism is here. Of course everyone knows the white European settlers stole Indigenous lands and enslaved Blacks but this looks at so many other ways the US otherwise denied Indigenous and Black people their freedoms. A worthwhile read for sure.

Penniman's writing is impassioned and insightful, offering a compelling call to action for addressing historical injustices and advocating for equitable land distribution and ownership. Through "Rooted," she not only educates readers about the profound impact of land theft on Black communities but also inspires hope for a future where land sovereignty is recognized as a fundamental right for all.

This book is written with earnestness and enthusiasm, and in that regard is kind of sweet. It works well as a family memoir. However, it suffers from naiveté and inexperience in writing non-fiction meant for general readers (and would need heavy revision to pass muster at a university press). Analyses and data points are awkwardly woven in; Baker repeats academics' full names and titles and findings in a kind of a worshipful way but without much discourse or full engagement with their ideas; and the pop culture references are too often shoehorned in and don't add to the book but rather are distractions in many cases. I know this probably hasn't been copyedited yet, so I hope these things get addressed. I feel like it could really use a developmental edit to be all it could be.

"Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership" by Brea Baker explores the impact of land theft and displacement on the racial wealth gap in America. In this meticulously researched work, Baker addresses the historical context of Indigenous and Black land ownership and traces the harmful legacy of exploitation and injustice from colonial times to the present day.

Drawing from her own family history of land loss in Kentucky and North Carolina, Baker shows readers how land theft has perpetuated systemic inequality and widened racial disparities. She reveals the devastating consequences of land theft, which has not only deprived Black communities of economic opportunities but also robbed them of their connection to the land.

One of the aspects I enjoy most about this book is how the author examines land theft from various angles and perspectives. Baker ties together personal narratives, historical accounts, and contemporary research to offer a comprehensive understanding of the issue. From wrongful property tax assessments to the psychological toll of dispossession (love the connections she makes to Black mental and familial health), she sheds light on the multifaceted ways in which land theft continues to affect Black Americans today.

Baker celebrates the determination of Black farmers and landowners who have fought against systemic oppression to reclaim their rightful heritage. Through her meticulous attention to detail, she pays homage to unsung heroes and their unwavering commitment to freedom and community. "Rooted" is a call to action for collective economic and environmental independence within the Black community. By highlighting the importance of land ownership as a means of empowerment and self-determination, Baker offers a compelling vision for a more just and equitable future. She does a phenomenal job of helping readers understand the cost our ancestors paid for land ownership as well as the consequences we face if we remain disconnected from our roots.

"Rooted" is truly a groundbreaking work that not only exposes the historical injustices of land theft but also offers a roadmap for reclaiming ancestral lands and building a more equitable society. Brea Baker's profound insights, coupled with her evocative storytelling, make this book essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the intersection of race, land, and power in America. Thank you so very much to the publisher and author for the opportunity to read.

Brea Baker is, first and foremost, a freedom fighter. She has been working on the frontlines for almost a decade including contributing to dozens of electoral and advocacy campaigns. She has a B.A. in Political Science from Yale and has been recognized as a 2023 Creative Capital awardee, a 2017 Glamour Woman of the Year and much more.

With "Rooted: The American Legacy of Land Theft and the Modern Movement for Black Land Ownership," Baker explores the impact of land theft and violent displacement on racial wealth gaps. She poses the quesiton "Why is less than 1% of rural land in the U.S. owned by Black people?"

Then, Baker begins to unpack it all.

Writing in a way that is both well-informed and deeply personal, Baker explores the historic attacks on Indigenous and Black land ownership and looks at one of this nation's first sins - stealing, hoarding, and commodifying the land.

Baker notes that research suggests that between 1910-1997, Black Americans lost about 90% of their farmland. This land theft widened the racial wealth gap, privatized natural resources, and created a permanent barrier to access that should be a birthright for Black and Indigenous communities.

Throughout "Rooted," Baker speaks of her own family's experiences in Kentucky and North Carolina. She also speaks with love and admiration of her grandparents' commitment to Black land ownership and the area that would become known as Bakers Acres.

"Rooted" is a passionate call for reparations and an embrace of certain paths toward that act of justice that can heal both the land and, in Baker's words, "our nation's soul."

There's a matter-of-factness to "Rooted" that some will find jarring. I found it rather refreshing, a passionate truth-telling and call into action grounded in extensive research and personal testimonial. In a country where institutionalized racism is still prevalent, it is practically undeniable that "Rooted" won't resonate with everyone. So be it. For those in search of a better and more just way, "Rooted" is engaging and powerfully reasoned reading that demands our attention.

This is going to appeal to a hyper-specific niche, but easy four to five stars for those people.

I stopped after chapter 1. It wasn’t personally gripping, and I didn’t find myself interested in the author’s story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC.