Rating: 
Summary: Not a bad read if you want another gossip book
Review: If you are looking for some basic facts to learn a bit about Martha's rise, then you may enjoy this book. It outlines the basics of her Kmart deal, catering business, love for all things home and garden and about her rise in Omnimedia and some who helped along the way who are with her today. I found it had a little too much personal stuff that tended to be more fluff than fact. Not once was she quoted straight from her mouth. All the people quoted basically are distant friends (if friends at all) and neighbors who probably know as little about her as someone who has never met her.
I would like to read a book about Martha where she can say in her own words what it was like to come into such a field of work and rise to where she is. I think if this book had been about a male clawing his way to the top it would have been written in a whole different, positive light and called "good business tactics". The book came across as trying too hard to prove her as ruthless although the author's use of saying "pretty blonde" frequently seemed more of a mask to cover the continuous gossip. The attemps at being impartial are blown mainly by the author not resisting to throwing in police reports and divorce information. What a way to honor the "pretty blonde" he claims to admire so much in the prologue.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't waste your money
Review: As many people, I eagerly awaited the publication of this book to read about Martha and how she came to be what she is today, but I am terribly disappointed. I can deal with a rehash of stories already published if a new spin were put on them, but I found the writing so awful and there was such a lack of substantiation to the author's specualtions that I'm returning this book to get my money back. The author can't even get simple facts straight like the directions he gives on page 28 to go from Martha's childhood home to NYC. If an author feels compelled to include actual directions in a story for whatever reason, fine, but please get your facts straight. If Byron can't even get directions straight, how in the world can I trust anything else he's written? I'm not even bothering to finish this book. It's a waste of my time. The writing is glorified pulp paperback style mixed in with Nation Enquirere-type sensationalism. If you're into that, hey, knock yourself out. I wouldn't even buy this book again if it was on the dollar table. Byron should stick to writing news stories.
Rating: 
Summary: This is amazingly interesting
Review: this book is the best thing you could buy, worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: Save Your Money
Review: I have always been a fan of MS and so was very interested in this bio, regardless of it being authorized or unauthorized. Unfortunately, I couldn't get past the first 30 pages because it reads like a sensational dime store novel, or worse yet, a glorified National Enquirer article. I'm shocked Wiley spent so much money making this as a hardcover. I knew the author was in trouble when on page 28, he gave directions from Martha's childhood home to get to New York, but the directions were wrong! If an author feels he must include details such as this, the least he can do is get the right and lefts correct as well as the name of the streets. If he can't even get directions right, how can I trust what else he wrote about? This copy is going right back to store. I wouldn't even bother to pick it up if it was at the $1 table. For those of you who enjoy this kind of writing--you'll love it. I don't blame Martha for not wanting to have anything to do with this book. Hey Bryon--stick with writing news stories.
Rating: 
Summary: A solid business book
Review: I agree that this book isn't as "fun" to read as Jerry Oppenheimer's book, but this is a business book more than a biography. I thought Christopher Byron did a terrific job of explaining how Martha Stewart was able to build an empire by using other people's money -- and why that empire is standing on a shaky foundation indeed. Very thought provoking for any entrepreneur who is interested in brand extension.
Rating:
Summary: Not about Omnimedia, mostly MS gossip
Review: I ordered this book expecting to read the history of Martha Stewart Omnimedia and how Martha Stewart acheived such phenominal success. Instead, the book focuses on Martha's personal life to an embarrassing degree, making the book almost unreadable. I don't really care if a jealous friend thought that Martha treated her husband badly; I want to hear more about how she built a hugely successful business from the ground up. This is one of the least substantive business books that I have ever read, which is surprising given the author's strong business writing background.
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT STORY OF A COMPLEX WOMAN!
Review: I really enjoyed Martha Inc. This new book is a must read for the summer. Christopher Byron puts it all on the table and tells a fine story. Martha Stewart is a complex, brillant and emotional character...so good that you can't believe her story is real. But it is real! The mention of her name and you get a reaction. The author did his homework and gets to the heart of Martha for the first time. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Rating: 
Summary: Hey, whatever it takes
Review: There are lots of fascinating revelations in this book: that Martha Stewart let all her goats die during the famous "backyard livestock" period; that she once poisoned an entire dinner party with "the wrong kind" of mushrooms; and even that she punishes her staff by forcing them to make little log cabins out of pencils. I couldn't put the book down. But besides all the juicy gossip, what is the reader left with -- a "how not to" manual for the modern businesswoman who wants to keep her soul?
Rating:
Summary: Wait for Martha's Autobiography
Review: I agree, like the "biography" Just Desserts this has more of the same tired stories of Martha's temper in full gear. By the way, though there is no excuse for bad behavior-she's human. So what. She is one of the great business women of our time. I'm looking forward to reading Martha's upcomming book to hear it straight from her. All these books with gossip and sour grapes of people who didn't climb to the top with her are getting to be a bore. It will sure be refreshing and a lot more interesting to hear the story from Martha herself.
Rating:
Summary: fabulous!
Review: Great read. Great story of our times. Martha Inc. would make for a terrific movie.
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