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

Wilson, Mike

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0688149251 ISBN 13: 9780688149253

Publisher: William Morrow, 1997

Synopsis

Draws on interviews with Ellison's friends and enemies, as well as Ellison himself, to create a portrait of the self-made billionaire who founded Oracle, the second largest software company in the world, with a $1,200 investment. Details growth of the company and financial mismanagement that came close to driving the company into bankruptcy, and tells of Ellison's exploits in sports and romance. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

About this title

Review:

It seems like all of the biggest names in the computer industry are getting the celebrity bio treatment these days. But no corporate CEO deserves it more than Larry Ellison, the charismatic head of Oracle Corp. This isn't your standard, dry, "learn-from-his-example" type of life. It's not that Ellison's life doesn't offer the same lessons in hard-won business success as some of his colleague's, because it certainly does. It's just vastly more entertaining.

In The Difference Between God and Larry Ellison, author Mike Wilson delivers a fascinating and genuinely interesting portrayal of Silicon Valley's most notorious bad boy, constructed from hundreds of interviews with friends, colleagues, and those unfortunate enough to stand in Ellison's way. There are plenty of behind-the-scenes stories of the growth and worldwide success of Oracle, which Ellison founded in 1977. Plus, there's plenty of the good stuff: tales of Ellison's truly fast-lane lifestyle, filled with big boats, beautiful women, and celebrity friends. While this book probably won't transform you into a fan of Ellison's, you will be grateful for a chance to observe him--from a safe distance.

The punchline is "God doesn't think he's Larry Ellison," of course.

About the Author:

Mike Wilson is an editor at the St. Petersburg Times and the author of the acclaimed Right on the Edge of Crazy: On Tour with the U.S. Ski Team. He lives in St. Petersburg, Florida.

About this edition

• Publisher: William Morrow
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 0688149251
• ISBN 13: 9780688149253
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 385