The Difference Between God And Larry Ellison*: Inside Oracle Corporation

I found out about this book in an Oracle training class two years ago but put off reading it until now. THIS BOOK KNOCKED MY SOCKS OFF! The most fascinating thing about this story was that I had witnessed almost all the book's events in my own experiences working for other high-tech startup companies here in the Denver area. I was constantly saying to myself, as I read, "That's exactly what happened when I was working at (fill in the blank) Inc!". The same personalities (some even worse), the same marketing pressures, the same technical problems, the same product support problems, the same legal problems, the same IPOs, and some of the same rewards (but I didn't receive as many stock options ;^).I would HIGHLY recommend this book to any (technical) person who is considering working for a high-tech startup for the first time. This is the greatest and most accurate tale (at least in my experience) that is available of day-to-day life in a startup company. Some of the stuff that happens at these types of companies is SO WEIRD that you usually have to see it for yourself to believe it. This book gives a VERY GOOD look at "the weird stuff".

What became apparent about Ellison was a self-confidence that is unparalleled in the annals of Fortune 500 CEOs. When he has failed, he has an innate ability to block it out and move on with just as much enthusiasm. Some of his visions, such as the Network Computer, were, in concept, slightly premature for 1995. But today with centralized computing and web-based software, his vision is suddenly making sense. From this book, I'd have to say Ellison has one of the more arrogant yet appealing personalities I've come across...a very compelling blend.

I really can't add to the professional reviews; they're right on target. I will say that Ellison is a piece of work...brash, creative, flawed- and in the end quite fascinating. Machiavelli and Hugh Hefner come to life in the high flying world of the silicon wars. Great read...inspirational in showing what you can do with guts and determination. I really liked it and recommend it.

Having worked for Oracle as a technical support rep, back when there were only five of us in the US and seven worldwide (we kept our support database on paper because the database was too slow and prone to corruption!), I too recommend book."The Difference Between God and Larry Ellison" is a 'must-read' for anyone considering buying a relational database management system, working in the industry, or for anyone who is simply wants to mercilessly crush their competition with mediocre products and high pressure sales tactics. Larry Ellison makes Machievelli look like Saint Francis. However, like Ghengis Khan, you have to admire his accomplishments.