Search
SQL Server Books for DBAs
I decided that since people were interested in my SQL Blogger Rankings, then perhaps I could go one step further and help people stock their bookshelves. After all, I remember what it was like when starting as a DBA. How do you know who you can trust to give you quality information? You don’t, so you rely on your friends to recommend some good quality books.
My SQL Blogger Rankings are an attempt to help others focus on a particular set of bloggers. So why not do the same for books? How do you know which author is worth reading? If you only had time to read one book before taking on a project, do you know which book to reach for, or order? It is my hope that the books I list here will be able to help you along. Right now I have two libraries, Technical and Professional Development, and hope to add more over time, I just need to start reading more, and blogging less!
I have not read each of these books, but I own (or have access to through Books24×7) to every one. I wanted to supply a personal review for each one, and I plan to do so over time, most likely through a blog post rather than a review listed on this page. But I didn’t want to wait to read everything before building this page up. If you have a review you would like to give on a book you feel should be included, just drop me an email.
One last note, if you cannot see the widgets on this page, then check your browser settings. You could have some type of ad-blocker enabled that is prohibiting the widgets from being displayed.
a
DBA Technical Books
Here are the books I recommend in terms of building a base technical knowledge on all things related to MS SQL Server.
Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 Internals (Pro – Developer)
Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 T-SQL Fundamentals (PRO-Developer)
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Management and Administration
SQL Server 2008 Query Performance Tuning Distilled (Expert’s Voice in SQL Server)
System Center Operations Manager 2007 Unleashed
Pro SQL Server 2008 Relational Database Design and Implementation
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Administrator’s Pocket Consultant
Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V: Insiders Guide to Microsoft’s Hypervisor
a
a
a
DBA Professional Development Books
Here are the books I would recommend with regards to professional development for DBA’s. They are all focused on improving your soft skills. The other book libraries contain a wealth of information to help you with your technical skills.
Kitchen Confidential Updated Ed: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly (P.S.)
The Jelly Effect: How to Make Your Communication Stick
Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time
The Whuffie Factor: Using the Power of Social Networks to Build Your Business
ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income
Twitter Wit: Brilliance in 140 Characters or Less
How To Start A Conversation And Make Friends
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You
a
a
a
DBA Database Design and Modeling Books
Here are the books I would recommend with regards to database design and modeling, what I consider to be a lost art these days due to advances in hardware. Powerful CPU, lots of memory, and fast disks are able to overcome and hide bad database designs. Typically bad designs are only exposed after being deployed to production. I hope these books can help someone to avoid such a situation.
Designing Effective Database Systems (Addison-Wesley Microsoft Technology Series)
Pro SQL Server 2008 Relational Database Design and Implementation
A Developer’s Guide to Data Modeling for SQL Server: Covering SQL Server 2005 and 2008
The Data Warehouse Lifecycle Toolkit
Beginning Database Design: From Novice to Professional
a
a
a
Some Favorite Non-SQL Books
Prior to being a DBA I had a deep interest in science and astronomy. Here are some of my favorite books that are not related to SQL.
Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space
Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors
Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other Essays
Why Nothing Can Travel Faster Than Light… : And Other Explorations in Nature’s Curiosity Shop
a
My Book
Categories
