(软件战争
2003-10-01
Simon & Schuster
Matthew Symonds
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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.
Author's Note1 Larry and Me2 On the Road3 The War on Complexity4 Beginnings5 To the Limit6 Growing Up7 Best-of-Breed8 Falling Out9 The Laboratory10 Ready or Not...11 Taking Stock12 Hungarian Lessons13 Hill by Hill14 The Last Database15 Enemies16 Chained to the Job17 Alternative Stress18 Sayonara Swan Song19 Family Values20 Three Strikes, You're Out21 Larry[and22 A Life Beyond Oracle23 "A Scrap of Information"24 The Golden Nugget25 A Perfect Storm26 "The First Loser"27 The Biggest Water BottleA fterwordIndex
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拿中国的价钱买了美国的书.