Customer Reviews

Just Desserts: Martha Stewart the Unauthorized Biography

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

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.

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!

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....

Before the story broke about the insider trading scandal involving Martha Stewart, I did not have a good idea of who she was. I was curious to find out so I purchased "Just Desserts". The book did not seem to be a "hit piece", as others have portrayed this book. What I found was a writer who disected the image from the the real person. It is a very interesting study on Martha Stewart's troubled past regarding her domineering father and Martha's need to become rich and famous no matter what the cost and no matter who got in the way. I came away feeling very sorry for her. Whether you are a fan of her's or not, the book does a very good job of showing the fake from the real. The onscreen personae and her real actiions behind the scenes will shock and astound. The author also delves into the fantastic business savy that Stewart displayed throughout her career. She was very often underestimated, but always a step ahead of the competition. A real modern day Jeckyl and Hide story.

Not only does the book describe the interesting antics and unreal behavior of Stewart, it also touches on the gullibility of the people who surrounded her and how they naively followed her every whim. It is an interesting study of how people will believe in the image of a person and cling onto it no matter what the true reality is. In the case of several people such as her former husband and several business associates, they finally saw past the facade and saw the real person behind the disguise. This is a tragic story but very revealing on what motivates some people towards ultimate fame and power.

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!

WOW, was this a ruthless illustration of Martha Stewart! She's described as an obsessive-compulsive insomniac (she would only sleep for 2-4 hours a night, then get up and paint her entire house in one day), who's main goal is to be on top through ruthless power and manipulation (she stole business ideas, designs and didn't give credit to friends, coworkers... to the point where if a person demanded royalties, she would find some loophole in the legal system to prevent them from getting any profits -- Me-YOW!) This depiction is a far cry from the soft-spoken homemaker you see on her show. She's described by family and friends as dominating, cold, sadistic, abusive and absolutely ruthless. She even cuts down her elderly mother in front of her family: "She only makes peasant food!" she snipes. I've never read anything like it.

It starts with Martha's family and where she came from in New Jersey. Apparently, Martha's father was a perfectionist who shoved his beliefs, anger and attitude down her throat; nothing was good enough in his eyes and because of him, the Monster-Martha is what is alive today. Even as a child, she sabotaged a little girl's cake recipe in order to take her little business away for herself. Signs that a powerful, heartless woman was going to surface.

Martha was cutthroat and vindictive. She pretty much screwed over anyone and everyone around her to further only herself -- she didn't even care about her family, including her daughter and husband, whom she brow-beated to death in front of family and friends until he (who was just wimpy from the start) finally had the nerve to leave her, prompting incredible stories of stalking, vandalism and public screaming fits -- till he had a restraining order put on her.

Martha is depicted as someone who never learned affection, or at least had an incredible dark side that was calculating and vindictive. She would purposely hire people who were creative and brilliant, but they either had low self-esteems to begin with or she broke them down. She DEFINITELY was masochistic and manipulated everyone who came in her path on her rise to power. The only time her affections seemed to be positive, were when sex was involved, and then she came across predatory. She's also illustrated as an incredible liar; family and friends reflect on her writings of her "happy past" and say all of them are either exaggerated or completely fabricated.

After reading what a terror she was in the past, I can actually believe the insider trading stories -- it just fits. Oh and the new edition adds that little chunk in the end.

Upon finishing this, I'm blown away at what a terror she was and has become. She is obviously a person who will stop at nothing to be on top, including her cheapness and just downright vicious scheming. She's also obviously brilliant, with a chip on her shoulder about her poor past and is also considered racist, sexist and as the book says: "WASPy in true form."

Martha Stewart is a nightmare in this book! I wouldn't want to come within 20 ft. of her (much less meet her in a dark alley) after reading this. Personally, I think she's mentally screwed up something fierce, but the fact that she concentrates all of it into her work is phenomenal.

4 stars -- one missing due to some anonymous sources (which I don't always trust as true) and the fact that it pretty much had NOTHING positive to say about her; I would have liked to see a little positive stuff. You know, to kind of balance it out. Then again, maybe there wasn't anything positive. This woman is the anti-Christ!

Otherwise, good trash to read!

In reading the reviews by other readers of this book, it strikes me how naive a reading and buying public we are. Come on, folks! Did we honestly believe all along that this woman was the sweet, selfless, hardworking creature personified in her TV shows, books and RARE guest appearances on "talk" shows? Ms. Stewart learned early on NOT to talk. Why tarnish the created version? That wouldn't sell. I used to watch her show, thinking, "What is she, nuts?? Who has the time and patience for this type of obsessive nonsense? Well, apparently a LOT! Martha wanna-be's are everywhere and she cashed in on that "loyalty". Not her fault, but ours. The first hint of trouble came from the article describing her walking out of a book-signing engagement in Buffalo. Remember that? You should. It's the only bad publicity I've ever seen on the woman. She has become a multimillion dollar powerhouse and I'm amazed that Mr. Oppenheimer still retains his citizenship because she is one charmer I wouldn't want on my back! More power to him for revealing the "real" Ms. Stewart. And, for those poor souls who follow her blindly because they have no self-confidence of their own and would rather choose scrubbing their plumbing accouterment the "Martha" way, for God's sake, read this book, wake up and get a life of your own! When did we give up our individuality and accept people such as the Martha Stewarts as the be-all and end-all of American life? This book was worth every penny I paid. When your own family will agree to interviews, something's wrong in the kitchen, Martha, which won't be perfected with Bon Ami and a kid glove! Buy this book!! I only hope Mr. Oppenheimer decides to take on more of our "icons", such as Oprah! I'm sure there's another trove of psychodrama! God, I have to ask, when did we become as like lemmings rushing to the sea???

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.

A great summer book! I was stuck in an airport for over five hours and Just Desserts kept me entertained the entire time. We always knew Martha wsn't a sweetheart, but wow, the things we didn't know.

This book should be required reading for any woman who feels she is inadequate for not being able to do it all. Martha has created a group of women who think that if they can't find the time to paint their floors, hand stencil their walls and gild fruit, they are lesser mortals. Yippee, Martha's human after all.

The book style can be rather breathy and sensationalistic at times, but it's really a fun (albeit mean-spirited) way to spend a few afternoons.

but I could not put it down! I became a fan of M.S. late (I first became really aware of her from her Holiday special w/ Julia Child)so there was much about her earlier carrier I did not know. The book was helpful in informing me about her business history and other such details of her life. That is about the only positive thing I can say about this book.

This thing seems to be such a deliberate smear campaign, I wonder how people can take it so seriously. From the first page, the author uses very slanted, deragatory prose when it is uncalled for.(in the first paragraph *in just one sentence* he refers to M.S. as raging, furious AND seething! In the next paragraph he chooses the sentence "[Andy]had fled the life they had carefully fabricated" when "carefully built" would have said the same thing, but in an even handed way. It is clear from the beginning of the book that Oppenheimer has no interest in being even handed.

Yes, he exposes flaws in M.S.s personality, but who does not have flaws? Yes, he tells us she does not write her own books, or make every concoction on her show, but she does oversee most everything in detail, and everything does reflect her style. Honestly, how could the women bake each cookie that appears on the show AND run an empire! (I do think she COULD do everything that is presented on her show, in the books and magazines.)

I always thought of M.S. as a sort of reference place, a collecter and presenter of a lot of good stuff on a wide variety of subjects, and the book has not changed my opinion of her or her magazine or show. I still like them.

I am a little put off that the author seems to paint Andy as a victim/hero. He went along willingly for the ride, and if the author paints the picture correctly, then Andy really is no great person of integrity either. After all, he urged Martha to give up her faith before he would marry her, and later walked out on his daughter without so much as a "see ya later". I am not judging Andy, simply pointing out that there is more then one side to most stories.

The last pages of the book were VERY interesting, and a little unsettling.

The book did have a little negative effect on me. When watching her show, I am left wondering how she gets along with her guests, and things of that nature. Jerry paints her as mean and unkind. However, I have heard elsewhere that she is gracious and lovely.

Final word: Powerful, independent women are sometimes made to be an unfair target. GIVE THE WOMEN A BREAK!