Play Audiobook Sample
Outcasts United (Abridged): An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.02) - 1,883 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
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.
Download and start listening now!
"My mother-in-law often gives me books to read and this had been on my shelf for a while. I'm so glad I finally picked it up! The story follows an American-educated Jordanian woman who settles in a small town outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Over the course of a few years she cobbled together a soccer team composed of refugees from all over the world who through the relocation services of American resettlement agencies, all found themselves living together. Although I know almost nothing about soccer, I loved how these refugees (many from African countries) found unity and a family in the midst of very stressful and tense circumstances. It also followed the growing pains of this small southern town as it struggled to adapt to the rapid influx of refugees who had very different cultural backgrounds. I would definitely recommend this book. - Liz"
— Rob (4 out of 5 stars)
Outcasts United Listener Reviews
-
" I received this book through a publisher as a teacher. I loved the story and the lessons. I would strongly encourage reading this book and spreading the word. Would be a GREAT book for MS-HS that leads to talking about a lot of topics. "
— Nancy, 2/19/2014 -
" This is a Maryland One Book---and I really enjoyed it! Too bad it is in the 796 soccer area because it is really about people and the global community that is coming to every town in America. Opened my eyes (again) and reminded me that we are all just people in the end trying to get by on whatever level we are sitting on. "
— Edie, 2/15/2014 -
" The discussion of international tragedies and the refugees who fled them mixed with the lightness of 13-17 year olds soccer games makes (oddly enough) for a great read. The story of Luma (the coach) as she works through her own issues of coming to America and how she drops an attempt at running a restaurant to help the refugees and their families deal with being transplanted suddenly to the USA through soccer is incredible. I loved Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer by Warren St. John. Duh. I didn't expect this book to be as easy to read or the content to be so compelling. I definitely recommend this book. "
— Trey, 2/11/2014 -
" This was an excellent read - not only was it a well-told story, but it was factually descriptive and I learned quite a bit about current immigration policies and struggles in the US. "
— Bill, 2/8/2014 -
" This is about the refugees in nearby Clarkston. I knew every place they talked about. Some of the issues they face, I knew but some, I just had not thought about it. It was a great book to learn more about my "neighbors." "
— Aldafan, 1/19/2014 -
" I was looking forward to reading this book and learning more about the immigrant families and the tribulations they faced as they tried to begin new lives in a the U.S. I learned way too much about soccer games but did enjoy the rest of the book. I'd enjoy an update about where the families are now. "
— Sherry, 1/13/2014 -
" Really important story. Not written very well. "
— Sara, 12/29/2013 -
" Excellent. True stories are always the best, but when they are true stories that are hard to put down they are even better. Excellent book. "
— Linda, 11/11/2013 -
" A journalist's tale about an immigrant soccer team. Interesting if you're interested in refugees and/or coaching soccer. "
— Ben, 11/10/2013 -
" I was moved to tears many times by this wonderful story of Luma helping the refugees. "
— Jeanie, 10/18/2013 -
" Phenomenal story and a very quick read. Highly recommend reading it before the Hollywood version comes out. "
— Neal, 9/3/2013 -
" Placing refugees from Liberia, Sudan, Irag and Afghanistan in Clarkstown, Georgia may have solved some of their problems but certainly added some new ones. This an excellent book that took me through a wide range of emotions while teaching me about the world and it's people. "
— Sharon, 6/18/2013 -
" I really liked this book! "
— Molly, 5/25/2013 -
" True story of refugees, young boys and their families from war torn countries resettling in Clarkston, GA and coming together on a rag tag soccer team. I liked it because of the soccer and great story line. Will most likely be turned into a movie. "
— John, 2/25/2013 -
" What an inspiring book about refugees in Georgia and one woman's ability to merge the cultures into an effective soccer program. The coach was/is phenomenal, I wish I had her for my boys! "
— Krista, 6/14/2012 -
" 3.5 stars. The story of not just a soccer team of refugees from around the world in America, but also of a small town's reaction to the refugee resettlement. "
— Carol, 9/25/2011 -
" Beautifully written, emotionally engaging story. This well told tale really opened my eyes to the difficulties refugees encounter when coming to America. I highly recommend this book. Thank you Books on the Nightstand-another winner! "
— Shannon, 8/27/2011 -
" i didnt even read it yet thats what i think "
— Aniyah, 6/17/2011 -
" 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.