Books Recommended by Larry Ellison
A Peace to End All Peace
The Fall of the Ottoman Empire and the Creation of the Modern Middle East
David Fromkin
Source: "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].” - Julian Guthrie
Napoleon
Vincent Cronin
Source: "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." - Larry Ellison
The Fountainhead
Ayn Rand
Source: "As 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." - Larry Ellison
The Last Lion (3 books)
William Manchester
Source: "On [Larry Ellison's] nightstand." - Julian Guthrie
Lone Survivor
The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10
Marcus Luttrell
Source: "[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.'" - Julian Guthrie
West by West
My Charmed, Tormented Life
Jerry West
Source: "[Larry Ellison] had come to understand the 'charmed, tormented life' of athletes, that fitting subtitle of [this book]." - Julian Guthrie
The Robber Barons
The Classic Account of the Influential Capitalists Who Transformed America's Future
Matthew Josephson
Source: "When I asked [Larry Ellison] what was his favorite book, he told me [this book] — worth a read even today!" - Kathryn Gould
The Mythical Man-Month
Essays on Software Engineering
Frederick P. Brooks Jr.
Source: "Larry [Ellison] had given this book to every software executive whom he met within the company." - Marc Benioff
Catch-22
Joseph Heller
Source: "I think [Bill Gates] must be some kind of reincarnation of Milo Minderbinder from [this book]." - Larry Ellison
High Output Management
Andrew S. Grove
Source: "[Larry Ellison] considers [this book] his bible when it comes to management concepts." - Subbu Viswanathan
The Age of Napoleon
The Story of Civilization, Book 11
Will & Ariel Durant
Source: "Larry’s favorite history book [...], which he had read several times." - Julian Guthrie
The Jordan Rules
The Inside Story of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls
Sam Smith
Source: "[One of the] books on [Larry Ellison's] nightstand." - Julian Guthrie
Fate Is the Hunter
A Pilot's Memoir
Ernest K. Gann
Source: "[One of the] books on [Larry Ellison's] nightstand." - Julian Guthrie
FAQ
Did Larry Ellison recommend all these books?
Not necessarily. This book list has Larry Ellison must-read recommendations, but it also has a mix of mentions and suggestions.
How do you know Larry Ellison mentioned these books?
Every suggestion made by Larry Ellison is validated by our editors. You can find the sources to the recommendations linked next to the books.
Did Larry Ellison actually create this list?
No. This reading list was curated by our editors based on confirmed mentions from Larry Ellison, the sources are made available under each recommendation.
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