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Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,884 listener ratings
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The extraordinary tale of a refugee youth soccer team and the transformation of a small American town Clarkston, Georgia, was a typical Southern town until it was designated a refugee settlement center in the 1990s, becoming the first American home for scores of families in flight from the world’s war zones—from Liberia and Sudan to Iraq and Afghanistan. Suddenly Clarkston’s streets were filled with women wearing the hijab, the smells of cumin and curry, and kids of all colors playing soccer in any open space they could find. The town also became home to Luma Mufleh, an American-educated Jordanian woman who founded a youth soccer team to unify Clarkston’s refugee children and keep them off the streets. These kids named themselves the Fugees. Set against the backdrop of an American town that without its consent had become a vast social experiment, Outcasts United follows a pivotal season in the life of the Fugees and their charismatic coach. Warren St. John documents the lives of a diverse group of young people as they miraculously coalesce into a band of brothers, while also drawing a fascinating portrait of a fading American town struggling to accommodate its new arrivals. At the center of the story is fiery Coach Luma, who relentlessly drives her players to success on the soccer field while holding together their lives—and the lives of their families—in the face of a series of daunting challenges. This fast-paced chronicle of a single season is a complex and inspiring tale of a small town becoming a global community—and an account of the ingenious and complicated ways we create a home in a changing world.
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"I read this for One Book, One Maryland. I would not have chosen this book had it not been chosen for this book club. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I was afraid that a book about soccer wouldn't keep me reading. However, the stories of the plights of the refugees pulled at my heart. I really had trouble putting it down."
— Kim (4 out of 5 stars)
Outcasts United Listener Reviews
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" The book has a great message! However, at times, it is a little boring to read. "
— Sherricka, 2/15/2014 -
" I loved the story of the soccer team. However, there were some stories he told where I felt like they were left unfinished. Also some parts read more like a newspaper article and lost my attention a few times. "
— Becki, 2/15/2014 -
" I really liked the parts about the different dynamics of the soccer teams Luma coached. It was interesting to read some of the things that the refugees had gone through before coming to America and how they were treated once they got here. What I didn't like about the book were all of the parts about the actual soccer games. This kid kicked the ball to this kid who passed to this guy...... Boring, but I'm not a fan of watching soccer so I'm not interested in reading about it either. "
— Christina, 2/9/2014 -
" Probably a bit long, but I invested enough in the kids that it made everything worthwhile. "
— Mike, 2/6/2014 -
" Refugees find success in the small Georgia as a soccer team. Community acceptance and higher self esteem follow. "
— Lynn, 2/5/2014 -
" A great selection for a book club discussion. The theme: How does a community respond to an influx of new residents? "
— Karna, 2/4/2014 -
" An amazing woman starts a boys soccer league in a small southern town with young refugees from many countries teaching them how to work together and helping them stay out of gangs. "
— Betsy, 1/29/2014 -
" I read this good book with my local book club. The book addresses themes of equality and respect. sometimes it's sad to see that we have only exchanged the black/white issue for one of ethnicity and religion. In that sense it is troubling, but perseverance paid rewards in understanding if not victories. "
— Carol, 1/22/2014 -
" Much more interesting than I initially thought it would be. An insight to adjustments at all levels when the population mix of a community changes. "
— Ellen, 1/19/2014 -
" True story of a woman going to Charelston, GA, which has the largest influx of refugees from around the world, to start a soccer team with refugee boys. So good. "
— Cb, 11/27/2013 -
" I just finished reading this book. While I am a soccer fan, it is definitely not a book that requires being familiar with soccer. As a sociology major, this was a fascinating read of what happens to a small American town when refugees start coming in large numbers from around the world. "
— Emily, 9/14/2013 -
" This is another one of those books that helps out things in perspective when life gets difficult. Heroes are everyday people who show up and try their best to do what's right. "
— Laura, 3/31/2013 -
" A must read if you love soccer a recommended read if you care about social justice. "
— Carla, 3/14/2013 -
" Wonderful story - but, got tired of the play by play of the soccer games. Wished there was more about the families. "
— Kecia, 10/11/2012 -
" Inspiring story, just dragged a little. "
— Mark, 8/31/2012 -
" A well-researched, well-written narrative about a soccer coach who went above and beyond to lead a team of refugee teenagers relocated from international war zones to a small town in Georgia. Such a motivating, inspiring book! Makes you want to get out there and volunteer. "
— Maureen, 3/29/2012 -
" For a non-fiction book written by a journalist, this was pretty good stuff. A great tale well-told. And it took me back to those long ago Somerville days. "
— Elise, 2/22/2012 -
" I finally finished this book for English 1010. It was pretty good. Not a book I would have just decided to read on my own but overall it was a good book. "
— Alyson, 10/26/2011 -
" There is absolutely no way I could finish this book. It's so boring and such a tedious read! "
— Katy, 8/24/2011 -
" I'm a sucker for a good true story. This is a good one, local to GA. "
— Stacey, 5/20/2011 -
" Really important story. Not written very well. "
— Sara, 5/11/2011 -
" This would make an AWESOME sports movie. "
— Julie, 5/4/2011 -
" I enjoyed this book! An heartwarming, eye-opening story of the influx of refugees to small towns all over America and in particular, Clarkston, GA (for the purposes of this story). "
— Jen, 4/29/2011 -
" Great book about how soccer can unite an unlikely group of boys and a coach. "
— Marnie, 4/29/2011 -
" really liked this book. its about an intense coach, football, and the story of what happens in small town USA when African refugees start to pour in, in Georgia. "
— Sriram, 3/26/2011 -
" I found some of the soccer details a bit too involved, but the message of the book is one we all need to hear...one we all MUST hear! We are a global society and the sooner we start to learn living together peacefully, the better the world will be. People like Luma are true angels on this earth! "
— Regina, 3/22/2011 -
" The most interesting thing about this wonderful little read is the history lessons of where the kids come from and what their families suffered to get to where they ar now. "
— Jorge, 2/23/2011
About Warren St. John
Warren St. John is the author of the national bestsellers Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer: A Journey into the Heart of Fan Mania and Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman’s Quest to Make a Difference. A former reporter for the New York Times, he has also written extensively for the New Yorker, the New York Observer, and Wired. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama, attended Columbia University, and now lives in New York City.
About Lincoln Hoppe
Lincoln Hoppe is an accomplished actor of stage and screen with several films, plays, television shows, and numerous audiobooks to his credit. His audiobook narrations have earned him nine AudioFile Earphones Awards. His diverse voice characterizations can be heard on animated films, video games, and commercials across the globe. He is a member of the Lost Angeles Comedy Sportz Improv Company.