Just Desserts: Martha Stewart the Unauthorized Biography [Mass Market Paperback]

Jerry Oppenheimer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1998

The undisputed doyenne of domesticity, Martha Stewart has mesmerized millions with her bestselling books, popular magazine and highly rated television program. Yet Ms. Stewart's personal life is a far cry from the cheery portrait of the epitome of household perfection she paints for her fans in her writings and public appearances. Now for the first time, "Just Desserts" reveals how her driving ambition shattered her marriage, strained her relationships with her daughter and family, and destroyed friendships.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Avon Books (May 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380731649
• ISBN-13: 978-0380731640
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,864,920 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #34 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( S ) > Stewart, Martha

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars DELICIOUSLY DECADENT DISH, January 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Just Desserts: Martha Stewart the Unauthorized Biography (Mass Market Paperback)

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.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pulp Doesn't Get Better Than This, May 26, 1998

By 

Erica "Erica" (Washington State) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just Desserts: Martha Stewart the Unauthorized Biography (Mass Market Paperback)

Man, oh, man. If you require beach or poolside reading matter, snap this up. Well researched and written in a quiet, unexploitive style, Jerry Oppenheimer's Just Desserts is just the cure for all of us women who have picked up a Stewart book and noted that the embarrassing state of our cupboards and couches just don't measure up to the seemingly effortless beauty Martha espouses. It seems that all that beauty takes money and muscle; according to Oppenheimer, not a lot of it is Martha's. The book weaves through the swathe of lives Martha has cut her way through, never discounting her acheivements. It's just the right touch. But man, oh, man...if one-tenth of it is true, Andy and Lexi Stewart have had a rough ride indeed!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Flowers, Candles, Napkins, Ambition, Intrigue, November 15, 2000

By 

Rob C. (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just Desserts: Martha Stewart the Unauthorized Biography (Mass Market Paperback)

If you want a little insight into the wold and life of the billion dollar enterprise that is Marth Stewart, this is not a bad place to begin.

Though far from gospel, it is a light-hearted, though I am sure she would not agree, look into the life and times of a new American icon.

Infomrative and easty to read, this is an enjoyable and sometime uproariously funny book. I will probably not change any real opinion the reader has of Martha Stewart, it does, however, give some understand of the person behind the enterprise and a historical narrative, as accurate as any, of where she came from and how she got where she is today.

A story of true American ambition and relentless drive for success, a little meaness and messiness and you have Just Desserts. Pass the cranberry sauce, please....