If you want to learn more than just how to use a database I recommend Ullman's and Garcia-Molina's "Database Systems: The Complete Book."[1] It has overview of

If you want to learn more than just how to use a database I recommend Ullman's and Garcia-Molina's "Database Systems: The Complete Book."[1] It has overview of classic topics such as relational algebra and calculus, practical topics such as using a SQL database, and the second half is devoted to an overview of how databases are actually implemented. Unfortunately I don't know of a book that will introduce you to things like column-stores and such, my knowledge comes from reading papers on them. [1] http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0130319953 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0130319953