Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game has been hailed as one of the
greatest Science Fiction works of all time, earning among many other honors
the Nebula Award in 1985, and the Hugo Award in 1986. This best seller
quickly became embraced by readers of all ages and interests, not only
appealing to the adult science-fiction enthusiasts that Card intended, but
also to children and fans of drama and religious fiction. The widespread
praise of this book, and later of its sequels, is not surprising to any
individual who has traveled into the complex world of Battle School and the
Bugger War. Yet why, one must ask, is Ender's story such an instant
classic among casual readers and academics alike' One of the factors
included in Card's brilliant story and character development is that while
this story takes place in the distant future and in the outer reaches of
space, every character remains true to human nature and serves as an
archetype to give insight into the human condition in the world that does
exist around us. This remarkable existence that is both fantastical and
yet wholly familiar is expressed through the characters of Graf, Petra, and
The book of Ender's Game begins as removed and depersonalized voices
discuss the fate of a child like supernatural abductors with an evil plan
to take over the world. We come to learn that one of these voices belongs
to Colonial Hyrum Graf, the director of primary training at the
International Fleet Battle school. Graf has been watching Ender Wiggin and
has made the decision that it is time for Ender to join the school, for
this is where the best and the brightest are sent to train for the coming
war with an alien force. Graf is a familiar character to any child -- the
seemingly omnipresent authority figure that is responsible for decisions
that will change the course of a child's life forever. He is like a school
principle. Graf hon...