About the book
Set at an unspecified point in Earth's future, Orson Scott Card's military science fiction novel opens on a humankind that has barely survived two invasions by an insect-like alien species it calls the buggers. Expecting a third attack, Earth's international fleet recruits gifted young children and trains them as commanders at an orbiting Battle School. Andrew Wiggin, known as Ender, a rare third child permitted under a two-child policy, is brought there and deliberately kept isolated by his instructors as he excels at war games, some played in zero gravity. Expanded from a 1977 short story, the 1985 novel won both the Nebula and the Hugo for best novel.
Mark Zuckerberg said he added it to his profile simply because he liked it, not as a declared favorite. Tim Ferriss put it on his list of the top 10 fiction books for non-fiction addicts, noting it was once the only book on Zuckerberg's Facebook page.
We hope you love the books people recommend! Just so you know, The CEO Library may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page.
This book has 5 recommendations
Mark Zuckerberg (CEO/Facebook)
Oh, it’s not a favorite book or anything like that, I just added it because I liked it. I don’t think there’s any real significance to the fact that it’s listed there and other books aren’t.
Robert Hajnal (Founder/Trail Running Academy)
[Favourite] book that is not business-related ?! Ender's Game, definitely!
Tim Ferriss (Author & Entrepreneur)
At one point, this was the only book listed on Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook page. If it’s good enough to be the sole selection of the founder of Facebook, maybe there’s something to it.
The plot: In anticipation of another attack from a hostile alien race, the search for a brilliant military strategist has led to Ender Wiggin.
In space combat school, Ender stands out, demonstrating exceptional leadership and unconventional strategy. But it is lonely at the top for Ender, as he struggles with relentless pressure from his instructors. Through Ender’s journey, you’ll learn how to capitalize on your strengths and those of your teammates, as well as exploit your adversaries’ weaknesses. Ender is a futuristic Level 5 Leader we can all learn from.
Sean Seton-Rogers (Partner/PROfounders Capital)
Outside of all the teenage boy / angst books like Dune and Ender's World...in those, you always imagine you are Paul Atreides or Ender Wiggin and it's up to you to save the world :)
Recommended by Cory Zue (Software Developer & Entrepreneur)
Source: Cory Zue, Software Developer & Entrepreneur, Talks Books & Business Advice for Young Entrepreneurs
Get this book on Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple Books
See more books recommended by
Mark Zuckerberg, Robert Hajnal, Tim Ferriss, Sean Seton-Rogers, Cory Zue
See more books written by
Often recommended alongside
- Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel and Blake Masters (2 shared recommenders)
- Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio (2 shared recommenders)
- Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace (2 shared recommenders)
- Trust Me, I’m Lying: Confessions of a Media Manipulator by Ryan Holiday (2 shared recommenders)
- Dune by Frank Herbert (2 shared recommenders)