This book begins with much promise, but is let down by the contents. More like a personal narrative of how individual parties in various countries live with soccer as a backdrop to what they do, the book does not answer the question posed in the title as much. While readers' interest may be raised with this rather creative title, Foer fails to deliver as much. I suppose the more accurate title would be: "How Soccer Influences" rather than explains the 10 different cultures mentioned in the book.The best part of the book is the way Foer deals with the counter-cultural role Soccer plays in American culture. That I feel is the strongest part of the book. In a sense, while the other 9 are pro-soccer, the USA projects itself as anti-soccer. If soccer is a synonym for globalization, the USA will make an interesting case study because it is the stronghold of globalization.conrade