This is a story of how two socially awkward best friends created an Internet revolution what we know today as Facebook. Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin were Harvard undergraduates who didn’t exactly fit in at the top of the social ladder. Eduardo was caught up in gaining acceptance through joining one of the most privileged societies on campus while Mark was not too ecstatic over the idea. Instead, Mark discovered his own way to social approval through his exceptional computer knowledge. One night, the mastermind hacked into Harvard’s computer system and created a program where female students could be rated similar to Hot or Not. Within a few hours the program received so many hits and consequently crashed the campus’ servers and as a result almost got him expelled from school. In that moment, things were about to change. A star was born. But at what price? The story follows the making of Facebook: the idea, the betrayal, and the success. An inspiration that brought so many people together, yet in the end tore two best friends apart.

The Accidental Billionaires, written by Ben Mezrich, is a captivating read about a program that has made an immense impact in today’s society. Facebook has revolutionized social networking and stands superior to its competitors. After the completion of the book, it aspires one to pursue their ideas and perhaps become the next Mark Zuckerberg.  It is a story of the digital era that needs to be told. I am skeptical however that the account is not completely accurate due to Ben Mezrich not speaking to the man behind Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg. Mezrich focuses his story a great deal on “the fact” that best friends Eduardo and Mark largely just wanted to meet girls. I would be very intrigued to hear Mark’s genuine thoughts behind the idea that has connected millions of people worldwide. Either way Mezrich delivers an enjoyable quick-read to the audience; an in-depth story many never even knew. In the end, the anecdote was overall entertaining by means of the exaggeratedly personal information shared.  The Social Network, a movie based off the founding of Facebook, starring Justin Timberlake, Jesse Eisenberg, and Andrew Garfield, will be released October 15, 2010.

By: Courtney Bomkamp

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