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Softwar: An Intimate Portrait of Larry Ellison and Oracle
 
 
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Softwar: An Intimate Portrait of Larry Ellison and Oracle (Paperback)

~ (Author), Larry Ellison (Commentary)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Softwar is a biography of Larry Ellison and his company, Oracle. As such, it's simultaneously a portrait of a clever and driven man, a case study of a successful software development company, and a tableau of the commercial software industry from its beginnings, through the dot-com craze, and into the present era. Matthew Symonds, who began this project while working as the editor of the excellent technology section of the Economist, has done a great job with all three elements of his project, thanks in no small part to the tremendous access he was given and to his close collaboration with Ellison.

Collaboration is very nearly the right word, as Ellison reviewed Symonds' manuscript before publication and, while he did not alter it, he did make a large number of comments, which appear in the book as footnotes. As Symonds is a good journalist who attributes most of his material, Ellison is able to take issue immediately with statements other people make about him and his company. The overall effect is hypertextual, and represents an important new biographical technique that other writers should imitate. Softwar succeeds because Ellison has a fantastically interesting life, tremendous experience, and carefully considered opinions, and because Symonds communicates them with clarity and style. --David Wall

Topics covered: The life, times, acquaintances, tastes, toys, and opinions of Larry Ellison, the database entrepreneur and CEO of Oracle Corporation. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.



From Publishers Weekly

Symonds was technology editor at the Economist when Ellison invited him to collaborate on a book about e-business, but the journalist decided he would rather write a profile of the software tycoon, one of Silicon Valley's most notorious figures. Oracle's database programs have become integral to the Internet and other networked computer systems, and Oracle's head is convinced that he can surpass Microsoft as the industry leader. But he's also developed a reputation for his aggressive corporate tactics and personal flamboyance. Ellison agreed to cooperate with the project, but as part of the deal, he reserved the right to respond, which he does in a series of running footnotes. Sometimes he only uses the opportunity to mouth business platitudes, but he also refutes stories, cracks jokes and even argues with other sources. Although the book deals extensively with Oracle's efforts to promote a new software package, it comes to life most when it follows Ellison outside the office-prepping his sailboat for a run at the America's Cup or overseeing the final touches on a Japanese garden complex. Symonds's near-total access to his subject leads to intimate observations that verge on personal advice, as when the writer suggests how best to handle a top Oracle executive or comments on the relationship between Ellison and his two children. But he remains objective enough to point out several mistakes in the past management of Oracle (many of which Ellison acknowledges or clarifies). Even without its unusual counterpoint, the book would stand as a compelling portrayal of one of the computer industry's most influential leaders.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 528 pages
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster; First Edition. 1 in number line edition (August 31, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0743225058
  • ISBN-13: 978-0743225052
  • Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #79,037 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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    #11 in  Books > Computers & Internet > Business & Culture > Biographies
    #53 in  Books > Business & Investing > Industries & Professions > High-Tech
    #66 in  Books > Computers & Internet > Databases > Database Management Systems

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Customer Reviews

27 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (27 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars If you want to know a lot about Ellison AND Oracle, December 9, 2003
For years it seems like I've heard about Larry Ellison being the complete antithesis of Bill Gates while at the same time earning almost as much money. Knowing this about him and very little about Oracle, I decided it was time to look into it. "Softwar" appears to blend a few things that I find very desirable into one book.

First, its written by an independent observer-- Matthew Symonds of the Economist. While who can say whether this is truly an unbiased account, the vast majority of the book seems to portray Oracle in good light, but contains quips that allow the reader to see where all the Oracle detractors might have a point.

Second, Larry Ellison. When Symonds writes something or quotes someone (like Tom Siebel or other former employees) and Ellison disagrees, he gets to chime in and tell his side of the story through footnotes. After looking at so many books that just don't seem to have any proximity to Ellison, I chose this book mainly because you can get Ellison's rhetoric straight from the horses's mouth.

Third, if you read this book soon, the information will be more practical than books that seem to focus on interesting, but outdated info about a companies products or strategies. I personally knew nothing of Enterprise software or hardware other than hearing people complain about SAP. Now I at least have a semblence of knowledge about a field I'll probably end up at least working with.

If you want a book that puts Oracle in a good light while displaying its bad side at times and to hear mostly about Oracle with a brief biography of Ellison and how he commands the world's second largest software company, read it! PS I loved it.

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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book about a Very Interesting Company, February 5, 2004
A fascinating book. I should note that I worked at Oracle for 12 years (1989-1991), though much too far down in the hierarchy to have had dealings with Larry Ellison himself. But when Symonds writes about the people that I did know and work for and with, he hasn't struck a single false note. He has captured very accurately the Oracle culture--a lot of very bright and very driven people, with of course a few inevitable mistakes thrown in.

In this book, Ellison comes over as one of the most insightful leaders in SV in the 80s and 90s. I wasn't always able to see this side of him, as I kept hearing negative reports from those who had been subjected to his (earlier, and admitted by him in this book to have been wrong) MBR (management by ridicule) approach.

I believe Symonds has done an accurate evaluation of Ellison, and Ellison, in his footnotes, comes over as a thoughtful person able to admit where he was wrong.

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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended, March 1, 2004
This book is a comprehensive, detailed collection of Larry Ellison anecdotes and quotes from people around him. Author Matthew Symonds occasionally interjects himself, but mostly lets his sources talk. Perhaps for fairness, he quotes many people who disagree with each other about important decisions at Oracle. Perhaps for journalistic objectivity, he generally refrains from judgment. This shows the reader every perspective, even if it doesn't define context, chronology or direction. You get all of the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, though you may want a clearer box top picture. Some of the technology coverage will intrigue only tech industry buffs, but overall you will learn a great deal of interesting information about Ellison and Oracle. We also found that Ellison's character came most into focus when the book entered the world of yacht racing, his passion. The author also includes poignant, revealing anecdotes about Ellison's childhood and candid reports about his personal life. Larry Ellison was allowed to review the manuscript and his comments appear as counterbalancing footnotes on many pages. That guy, he always does things a new way - as you will see.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Portrait of the Growth of Oracle & Ellison
Excellent book; Highly recommened. Its somewhat heavy at times with Oracle jargon, but the personal stories that are told of multiple key Oracle and industry leaders is amazing.
Published 1 month ago by Christopher Sullivan

4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting
I have to admit that this book really caught me. It isn't light reading, and it isn't a beacon of objectivity, but the book is packed with action, and very little of it is filler... Read more
Published on July 31, 2006 by The Amazon Shopper

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, but Flawed
True to its subtitle Softwar does indeed deliver an 'intimate portrait' of billionaire business leader Larry Ellison. Read more
Published on July 20, 2006 by David Kopec

4.0 out of 5 stars very interesting but not objetive
very interesting book overall, paints larry in a very (probably almost too) positive light. (the author was selected by larry to write the book. Read more
Published on January 20, 2006 by scanman7

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended!
This book is a comprehensive, detailed collection of Larry Ellison anecdotes and quotes from people around him. Read more
Published on April 29, 2004 by Rolf Dobelli

3.0 out of 5 stars Master of the poison, master of the cure
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, it was an open secret that if you were what was called then "one of the freaks" and you had, perhaps, taken a few physics or math classes... Read more
Published on April 9, 2004 by Edward G. Nilges

3.0 out of 5 stars Some interesting history
I was intersted in the history of relational. There is one lamentably brief chapter: System R, Sybase, Ingres, two-phased commit, stored procedures, etc. Read more
Published on January 19, 2004 by Michael Sweeney

5.0 out of 5 stars Larry gets the last word
My first fear when I bought 'Softwar' was that Matthew Symonds would be overwhelmed by the aura of Larry Ellison, resulting in a glowing whitewash of the man and his empire... Read more
Published on December 30, 2003 by Craig Wood

5.0 out of 5 stars Merry X'mas Larry
I particularly enjoyed the pictures in this book -- especially the one when Larry was little holding his good brother. Read more
Published on December 15, 2003 by Queen of the Middle Kingdom

4.0 out of 5 stars Good but not impartial...
A pretty good book for Larry Ellison!! The book heaps praises on Ellison even when it is ridiculing his short sighted approach. Read more
Published on December 12, 2003 by Avaksi

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