Larry Ellison founded Oracle in 1977 and grew it into one of the world's largest software companies. His leadership shaped the database industry for decades. His eclectic reading interests reflect both his technical background and strategic focus on understanding people, organizations, and global affairs.
12 Books Recommended by Larry Ellison
Ranked by popularity across all reading lists on this site
The Fountainhead
17 people recommendedAs a kid, I wanted to be an architect. That's before I read [this book]. I mean it is hard to find a profession that pays worse than architecture.
Also recommended by: Ankur Warikoo, Mark Cuban, Ev Williams, Ray Dalio, Travis Kalanick, Emma Watson, Fred Wilson, Jesse Williams, Jim Carrey, Kevin Kelly, Noah Kagan, Shah Rukh Khan, Tim Urban, Vince Vaughn, Deep Kalra, Kalyan Krishnamurthy
High Output Management
13 people recommended[Larry Ellison] considers [this book] his bible when it comes to management concepts.
Also recommended by: Mark Zuckerberg, Brian Armstrong, Brian Chesky, Drew Houston, John Doerr, Marc Andreessen, Ron Conway, Tobi Lutke, Ben Horowitz, Justin Kan, Keith Rabois, Sahil Lavingia
The Mythical Man-Month
5 people recommendedLarry [Ellison] had given this book to every software executive whom he met within the company.
Also recommended by: Jeff Bezos, Marc Benioff, Alan Kay, Jeff Atwood
Catch-22
4 people recommendedI think [Bill Gates] must be some kind of reincarnation of Milo Minderbinder from [this book].
Also recommended by: Fred Wilson, Mark Bittman, Shah Rukh Khan
The Age of Napoleon
2 people recommendedLarryβs favorite history book [...], which he had read several times.
Also recommended by: Elon Musk
Lone Survivor
2 people recommended[Larry Ellison picked up] his Kindle so he could finish reading [this book]. Larry had noted a page: 'The real battle is won in the mind.'
Also recommended by: Marc Andreessen
The Robber Barons
When I asked [Larry Ellison] what was his favorite book, he told me [this book] β worth a read even today!
A Peace to End All Peace
During a lively discussion over dinner one night, [Tony Blair] listened in wonder and remarked, 'Larry, you read too much history.' [Larry Ellison] had just finished quoting a section from [this book].β
Napoleon
It's interesting to read about him for a couple of reasons: to see what one man of modest birth can do with his life, and to see how history can distort the truth entirely.
West by West
[Larry Ellison] had come to understand the 'charmed, tormented life' of athletes, that fitting subtitle of [this book].
