Martha Stewart Just Desserts: The Unauthorized Biography

Nothing too shocking that hasn't been reported before. A good read about good old fashioned american drive.

I read Marth, Inc. first and was so intrigued with her life and talents I then read this book which talks more about her personal life rather than just the business aspects. Martha Stewart is one complex momma that truly rules the roost. She has done far more dasterdly deeds than good ones, yet this is a great reading book as something is happening all the time. Professionally, I still thing she is a great, talented person; personally, I am glad I live on the west coast of our country so I am nowhere close to Ms. Martha Stewart. Anyone that does business with her after reading the two books mentioned is crazy!

I couldn't decide whether to give this book five stars or only one. On one hand, I think Oppenheimer has gone overboard in accentuating the negative. We all have negative aspects in our personal lives and I daresay any one of us COULD be made to appear blacker than the darkest night. On the other hand, I love dish and "Just Desserts" is the dishest dish of all! Having a fully-functioning mind of my own, I read the book for what it is...delicious dish...and while I think it overly-critical, I have to admit that I loved every word. Martha Stewart is, and always has been, my idol. I devour her books and TV show s with gusto, own stock in her company and purchase her products. And even though I'm a busy professional myself, I do stencil my furniture, gild leaves, bake gingerbread houses and sugar fruit. I'm sure Martha has a warm, wonderful side and quite frankly I adore her! I don't know why Oppenheimer chose to ignore every positive, but I respect his decision. As for those in the book who claim to have been both used and abused by Martha--we don't stay in any relationship unless we're getting SOMETHING positive in return. Therefore, I felt little or no sympathy for Andy and Alexis Stewart and various others of their ilk. If they don't like being around Ms. Stewart, they're free to move on. But read the book with an open mind; it's just a small part of one incredible woman's life.

Even before this book came out, many of Martha Stewart's television viewers could tell there was more to the story than what she presented. With her well-modulated voice and deliberate moves, she seemed to be actively trying to control any outward display of emotion. And to watch her interact with other people was downright painful. This is a woman with no natural warmth, which would seem to be a prerequisite to appearing on national television. So it came as very little surprise to me that her family, friends, acquaintances and business associates jumped at the chance to trash her. She seems devoid of any semblance of compassion or fair play, and apparently never developed emotionally beyond the "Id" phase. From Oppenheimer's book, it seems apparent that she has become expert with things, rather than people, because things can be manipulated to suit her wishes. Hence, the beautiful houses (not homes), the exquisite (but not cozy) furnishings, and the pretty meals shared not with friends but with the camera. Oppenheimer has been criticized for writing a book that was not fair or balanced. I disagree. Anyone who buys this book is already familiar with Martha and her fairy-wonderland make-believe childhood. This book is simply an antidote to the Martha propaganda machine. I found the book to be well written, well documented, and fluid, and I couldn't recommend it highly enough to all the Martha wannabes out there. It might be dishy gossip, but it's GOOD dishy gossip!

Great bio--these unauthorized ones are best!I love Martha'skitschy campy shows, her magazines, her bedding and towels and paintand other household goods (I can't wait for the next white sale at Kmart) and although I never cook I love to leaf through her cookbooks and even have on occaision thought about using some of her tips. I think she is funny in a wry dry sort of way. And she is stylish, and she does present the dream of perfection--perfect homes, weddings, parties, holidays--the all too perfect "All American" dream of a "white picket fence, rose gardens and green lawns" life.Sigh....so it is...just a dream. (Say it ain't so!)And she caters to us--not only foodstuffs and linens, but a dream that if we buy said book/blanket/bridal guide etc. that we too can have a little taste of style, that we too can share in this perfect dream. That is the allure of Martha. I for one don't care about how bitchy the woman is--and it could very well be that she is a diva and a doyenne. Or it could just be that the author wants to make a quick buck, that his reliable sources are harboring sour grapes, that the Martha of then is not the Martha of now. Taken as a good trashy read this book is tops! (For those interested, the unauthorized bios of Madonna, Frank Sinatra, Danielle Steel, Courtney Love and Anais Nin are pretty good too--can't recall who wrote these but they are engrossingly good nonetheless)If Martha were a man this would be gravy. She would be held up and admired like some super business hero. She is depicted as a ballbusting backstabbing bitch because she is a woman--if she were a man she would be merely Machiavellian. She would receive accolades for her behavior. People would be writing 'how-to' books about her--"How to be a Billionaire" would be a pretty good title, no? (Although I fear "Lonely Lady" would be more apt.)Few women are able to go as far as she did and be as successful as she is--and guaranteed the ones who have have stepped on their share of toes along the way. Big Business is not too kind to 'cake baking June Cleaver' types--Martha needed savvy as well as savoire faire and she used it to its fullest potential. Quit picking on her--she's not a perfect person--she only plays one on TV. Cut her some slack!(Something to Remember: Not every female media icon, entreprenuer, millionairess can be as goody goody as Oprah!)

I have always admired Martha Stewart and her wonderful ideas for making your home beautiful. I saw this book and read it to find out the "real" person behind this empire. What a surprise! It is hard to believe some of the comments and stories included in the book, but they are credited by name to Martha's family members, co-workers, employees and employers, friends. This, to me, made it more believable. I will still buy Martha Stewart's products ( let's face it - the woman has taste!) but I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the "real" Martha Stewart.