One of the earlier sci-fi novels you can get away with reading and understanding, the book centers on the conflict between humans and genocidal aliens that have been beaten back once but are likely readying to return to finish the job. The book’s strong suit is it’s attempts to peel back the layers of a child’s mind confronted by unusual adult stresses (think Lord of the Flies).
Memorable Quotes:
“In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him. I think it’s impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves. And then, in that very moment when I love them.... I destroy them.”
― Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game“An enemy, Ender Wiggin," whispered the old man. "I am your enemy, the first one you've ever had who was smarter than you. There is no teacher but the enemy. No one but the enemy will tell you what the enemy is going to do. No one but the enemy will ever teach you how to destroy and conquer. Only the enemy shows you where you are weak. Only the enemy tells you where he is strong. And the rules of the game are what you can do to him and what you can stop him from doing to you. I am your enemy from now on. From now on I am your teacher.”
― Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game“the seed of doubt was there, and it stayed, and every now and then sent out a little root. It changed everything, to have that seed growing. It made Ender listen more carefully to what people meant, instead of what they said. It made him wise.”
― Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game“We need a Napoleon. An Alexander. Except that Napoleon lost in the end, and Alexander flamed out and died young. We need a Julius Caesar, except that he made himself a dictator, and died for it.”
― Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game“If you try and lose then it isn't your fault. But if you don't try and we lose, then it's all your fault.”
― Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game“There are times when the world is rearranging itself, and at times like that, the right words can change the world.”
― Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game“Soldiers can sometimes make decisions that are smarter than the orders they've been given.”
― Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game“The essence of training is to allow error without consequence.”
― Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game“No book, however good, can survive a hostile reading.”
― Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game