Accidental Billionaires

My amusing/interesting read lately was The Accidental Billionaires - the story of how Facebook started written by Ben Mezrich.

I have to say it was rather entertaining not only because I am a Facebook user but also of how the writer was able to weave the story without even a word from Mark Zuckerberg himself the boy genius behind Facebook. The story is full of colorful characters.

Mezrich based most of the story from interviews with Eduardo Saverin - Facebook's co-founder and ex-friend of Zuckerberg. But even with the bias - I did not feel much for Saverin. Yes, I agree he was a partner in the making of this phenomena - but his heart and mind was not entirely on the venture. He was good - but not good in judging Facebook's potential.

As for Sean Parker - there will always be people like him - vultures who know when to jump and gobble. It is a dog-eat-dog world for Sean.

Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss - the Harvard rowers who also claimed ownership to the idea. It was said they settled for billions in their lawsuit.

But Mark Zuckerberg is the star of it all. Starting Facebook because he did not get a date and now the youngest billionaire in the world, with a net worth of US$4 billion. Sinner or saint?

Accidental Billionairies - A tale of sex, money, genius, and betrayal.

If you don't like to read - the movie is coming up.