Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating... only slightly disappointing
Review: One of the "Top 1000 Reviewers" mentioned that fans of Martha "will not like this book one bit." Not true. I've been a "successful marketee" of the MSO for the past few years (I subscribe to the magazine, occasionally watch the show, and have bought merchandise at Kmart which bears her name), and I found the book fascinating. The sheer volume of details that the biography covers on her complicated life is truly amazing.The story of her rise details the most interesting biography I've read on any figure in the history of popular culture. Although many rightly criticize the author for fawning over her attractiveness, blowing certain events out of proportion, and other valid criticisms, her rise from a housewife to the blowout ingenious marketing of "domestic excellence" is truly historic. I was disappointed to learn of Martha's off-camera demeanor and how she used, and later discarded, now-former friends---all stories of which are sadly believable (Shame on Martha!). However, I could not help but admire her brilliance at winning success in the male-dominated world of business-- taking Kmart, Time, and CBS, all while being berated by their bigwigs. To learn how she succeeded at using these major corporations to serve her interest is very amusing (Go Martha!). I found two things about the book disappointing. The first was the book's reliance on gossip, rather than just sticking to facts. Too many gossipy little digs (such as what Jackie O may or may not have said about Martha), and I start to wonder whether the other, more substantial events are true. Secondly, I was disappointed in the lack of discussion on the "bigger picture", specifically, the lack of insight about the "lifestyle" Martha is selling and how it has affected popular culture. There is some mention of her selling of "dreams", but not enough to afford much insight into the phenomenon which has sparked other business venture take-offs, such as the magazine "Real Simple," as well as "Martha-esque" specialty gourmet stores appearing in my own neighborhood. Just like the corporations that Martha managed to string along, the author seems to have little clue or interest in just what her popularity is all about, or even an analysis of who her audience is. Such discussion would have made the book even more comprehensive and compelling. Lastly, since the book probably went to press when the ImClone insider-trading scandal took place, there is no mention of the scandal in its pages, even though it certainly provides enough background material for the reader on how Martha could make such a devastating mistake (Shame on Martha again!)
Rating:
Summary: behind the scenes look at the famous lifestyle priestess
Review: This book chronicles Martha Stewart's successful business endeavours, meshed with interesting anecdotes about her "dark" side. It depicts Martha Stewart as a far more complicated personality than the smooth blonde image broadcasted on her TV shows and advertised in her magazine.It was interesting and well-written. However if you are looking for juicier details, "Just Desserts" is the book for you.
Nothing in this book helped me explain the latest insider's trading scandal Martha is involved in. I still wonder why she opted to jeopardize her hard-earned empire, just to save, at least it seems to me, a menial amount of money...
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting But Not a Guide for Business
Review: The life stories of people who succeed in business have always interested me. However, Martha's story is much different from the stories of people like Tom Watson at IBM or Alfred Sloan at General Motors. Watson, Sloan, and Steward all built companies that may never have been as successful without the their management. GM and IBM have prospered long after Sloan and Watson were gone. Martha Steward Living Omnimedia will most likely not outlast Martha. The book raises serious doubt that the company could last much longer after Martha was gone, if it gets that far. Martha Inc. is a great book if you enjoy reading about the lives of the rich and famous. Unlike much of the writing in the tabloid press Byron's work is well documented with over 40 pages of notes in the back of the book. On the other hand, if you are looking for a guide on how to build a company that makes a lasting contribution to society, this is not such a book. The book does provide ample documentation of the skills that Martha does have, which allowed her to grow her company the way she has. In a world where people are looking to the business world to provide a sense of self worth she enables people to get a sense of self worth from traditional values centered around the home and family. Ironically, she herself has been able to exploit the world of business for her own success.
Rating: 
Summary: Chick-ed again.
Review: I admire Martha Stewart even more than I did before I read this book. She is human, after all! She became a lightening rod for the diminished role of women's gentility that some of us remember fondly and long to rekindle in our culture. The suction effect of the vacuum created by discrediting the feminine side of human nature is what she attracted and filled. While she fell victim to the masculine drive for more and more money, she mastered the art of accumulating it beyond their imaginations. But it is our deepseated longing for feminine gentility that made her success metoric.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulously fascinating!
Review: I devoured this book and have recommended it to all of my friends. Both my mother and I read the book and were downright shocked by the information Byron reveals. A must-read.
Rating:
Summary: Don't Do Martha!
Review: Gheez! Did this book ever change things for me! Having been a Martha fan for two decades, I was shocked at what I didn't know about her ascent to Omni-hood. And Byron's bibliography was the nail in the coffin. Without having verified all of Byron's sources myself, I have to say this book provides a convincing depiction of someone who will do anything for personal gain. Nothing or no one is sacred. Very sad and very disrespectful. (Only criticism: Byron belabored the similarities of Stewart and her father. Those were the only instances when I felt sorry for Stewart.)
Rating: 
Summary: Somewhat Entertaining, But . . . .
Review: I've just completed Mr. Byron's book and wish that I could give it one and a half stars, but since I can't I rounded up. The book is a light, easy read that, as stated in my title, is somewhat entertaining. Though many have stated in their reviews the disappointment they felt that the book seems more oriented to a tale of the development of Martha's business rather than her personal life, I actually have the opposite complaint. For a book that touts itself to be "The Incredible Story of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia," it really reads as little more than a half-baked Peyton Place potboiler of how Martha is a latter-day Lady Macbeth, ranting, raving and basically mistreating everyone who stands in her path to greatness. I had hoped to read about the development of the Martha Stewart empire -- more about how she developed her books and the magazine and her TV program, more about the creative process that goes into developing a magazine story or television segment, more about of how her retail enterprises, e.g., Martha By Mail and Martha Stewart Everyday work, and more about the creative and managerial talent that is a part of MSLO. All of these topics are given short shrift in this book -- most aren't even addressed. Instead, we get one tale after another of how Martha was mean to someone or pop psychology about how this behavior can all be traced back to an abusive father. Mr. Byron does give Ms. Stewart credit for being attractive, smart and resourceful, but that's about the only positive things he has to say about her. Perhaps the worst aspect of this book is how mean-spirited it is -- not just about Martha Stewart but about just about everyone who has any association with her. For example, he mentions Ms. Stewart's sister Laura coming to live with her, yet can't seem to resist mentioning in a footnote "Laura proceeded through a series of failed relationships or her own ...." (p.84) Did that type of information really need to be included? Well, it continues to happen throughout the book as Mr. Byron even traces the lineage of the husband of a friend's daughter to the Mob. The most curious thing is that, based on its content, if the subject matter were a successful CEO named "Martin" rather that "Martha" Stewart, this book would never have been published. The reason? Simply the fact that the anecdotes and scenarios described and that are really the substantive part of the book portray behavior that would not be considered noteworthy if exhibited by a man. To make a long review short (I know "too late"), if you want to read this book, take it out from the library. If you must buy it, please don't pay retail. Meanwhile, let's hope that Ms. Stewart and the folks at MSLO decide to someday write a story about the development of their company and what happens behind the scenes as they go about their work. I think that would be a book worth purchasing. I know I would. I'd even pay retail.
Rating:
Summary: Poor Martha
Review: I think the author presents facts--as much as possible. He insults her three times and then writes something nice. Then he writes one nice thing, followed by three offensive comments. I don't find an overt attempt to trash Martha here, but found it to be a comprehensive portrait of her rise to fame. Still wondering if Martha is an outright villian, or a successful woman in a man's world--still an oddity the critics don't know how to handle.
Rating:
Summary: Martha Inc
Review: Martha Stewart has generated an enormous following by establishing herself as the leading authority for all things domestic and in the process created a multimillion-dollar enterprise and a personal net worth of nearly [$$$]. As one of the most successful self-made female business owners in American history, Martha Stewart is a topic of interest for fans, business professionals and would-be entrepreneurs alike.Martha Inc. tells the compelling story of how this complex woman created an empire on domesticity and examines her business inside and out. Through an engaging narrative by popular columnist Christopher Byron, this book chronicles how the business was built, what it took to take it public, and the personal and professional transformation Martha has undergone to make it all work. To get a true portrait of the woman whose work ethic is her personal life, Byron delves into the underreported facets of Marthas past, such as the effects her challenging childhood and years on Wall Street have had on her uncompromising business acumen. From Martha Stewart Living magazine and marthastewart.com to a K-Mart line of houseware products, a line of house paints, and a television show, this book details how a former caterer from Connecticut has created a media and merchandising empire, pulling off what large media corporations with vast resources struggle to accomplish. Martha Stewart has sold America on good taste and now readers can learn exactly how she did it and what drives her to keep conquering new vistas. A corporate biography as well as a success story worthy of Horatio Alger, Martha Inc. also delves into how a cult of personality is created and how Martha Stewart capitalized on the zeitgeist that characterized the last half of the twentieth century. This book is a must read for anyone who has been touched by Marthas marketing savvy or who dreams of making it big.
Rating: 
Summary: If you read "The National Enquirer" you'll love this.
Review: I was tempted to correct the factual and grammatical errors in this book and send it back to the author. Many incidents are so wildly exagerated that no reasonable person could possibly believe them. This fact, sadly, cast doubt over every statement in the entire book. I would'nt recomend this book to anyone unless they want to waste their time and money, its not a good thing.
| 
