Dude, she entertains the pope! The wedding night feast is hilarious, and the photos of the food will make you laugh out loud in a crowded public place! Martha fans, wake up, for this parody is more Martha than the real thing. Great find!

A hilarious parody on the infamous Martha Stewart. Martha is giving advice and ideas for the holidays and family get-togethers. She is doing everything from circumcising to poaching lobsters. You will see her like you have never seen her before. Truly imaginative, and a great laugh. I would recommend this to anyone with a sense of humor.

Have you ever been annoyed by the unshakeable, in-your-face PERFECTION of Martha Stewart, queen of the perfect households? After listing the names by which she is often called ("Martha de Sade") she gets down to business: how to be like her in every respect.

The "Papal Visit" I wasn't crazy 'bout, but that definitely had some hilarious moments, including a sidebar that describes her pilfering other people's figurines and knicknacks. "Garden Party" includes the mind-numbing recipes for "Hand Picked Field Salad" which will make you cry; and the flambe-related Smoked Woodchuck.

In the matter of taste and refinement, nothing can beat the "circumcision day" chapter, with recipes that will make you shriek. And for Valentine's Day, Martha shows us how to souse and seduce... or just souse. Then she flits back to her childhood for "Mother's Day," going over various "regular" meals by her mama. The next chapter describes how to have a beach cookout, with one of the worst fish visuals I've ever seen!

"Christmas/Holiday Decorating" describes how you can horrify your friends and neighbors with perfect holiday decorating; the piece de resistance, however, is the chapter on Death and what to do if one of your guests dies ("Quickly, while you still can, shape and level the deceased's hand to hold a serving tray and begin setting out hors d'oeuvres..."

This book is written in a bitingly satirical style, and is graced by various straight-faced photos of "Martha" taking the necessary actions, such as preparing a tasteful lined coffin or cheerfully roping a date. And the cover is just a delight! As is this book!

(If you are a die-hard fan of Martha, however, do not read this book. Ever. You will explode)

Just as Martha's magazine is a joy of visual delights, this book get's the creative juices flowing. Divided into wreath making by types: wire wreaths, living wreaths, gathered wreaths etc. it is also written with a focus of wreaths presented by the 50 States with the bounties of each state proudly displayed in stunning wreath form. Maybe because it is fall and the beautiful changing leaves in Minnesota make me feel all homey, I am stirred to actual creation. Unlike some of Martha's projects when I say to myself, "yeah, sure...." I truly believe I can do these! This would make a wonderful birthday or Holiday gift to anyone who loves visual delight or poking in nature. "It's a good thing."

This book is the easiest I have ever read on wreath making! They have several gorgeous wreaths that are truly amazing! I recommend this book to anyone who loves wreaths, Martha, or easy crafts.

My wife and I use the recipes in this magazine every Christmas. They come out perfect every time.

This offering from Martha Stewart provides a new, more elegant way to celebrate the holidays. The menus she presents are a refreshing departure from the traditional "turkey and dressing". Her decorating ideas are absolutely exquisite (a fact that did not go unnoticed by our guests). My friends and I enjoyed making the decorations and preparing the meal as much as our guests enjoyed looking at the decorations and eating! I only wish she had provided more decorating ideas.

Some people love her, others can't stand her. Personally, I adore Martha Stewart and her creative and beautiful books. The At Home With Martha Stewart collection is the best way to get Martha's best books at a single blow. You will find a multitude of great ideas and will be inspired to create your own "Good Things"!

If you like Martha's style, and I do, then you will love this book. The photography is gorgeous. This book explains in detail how Martha and her staff of designers put a room together in terms of color. She only uses one color palette per room, which explains why her decor always has the same look, no matter what the style of furniture. This will be a favorite of mine for a long, long time.

Growing up with a Mexican mother my idea of childhood comfort food recipes are not the ones listed in this book. So basically, I've had to teach myself how to make American comfort food and this book has been my best teacher. I have had this book for a few years now and it continues to be one of my favorite cookbooks (and boy do I have a lot of cookbooks!) The buttermilk pancakes are superior to any other recipe I've tried. The pizza is fantastic also. The roasted chicken is my secret recipe for an easy but impressive dinner. The fried chicken is very tasty. And who could forget the macaroni and cheese? Simply the best. Like I said, I didn't grow up on ANY of these foods but my kids sure will!

From Catharine Beecher To Martha Stewart: A Cultural History Of Domestic Advice by historian Sara A. Leavitt is a thoughtful and informative overview of the history of domestic advice, gleaned from research into hundreds of manuals written throughout the past 150 years. Cultural themes, the broad appeal of domestic advice across the decades in spite of radical changes in women's rights and roles in America, and the connection between women's homes, and the world outsides the home, mark From Catharine Beecher To Martha Stewart as a fascinating, accessible, insightful, scholarly treatise. Especially recommended for personal and Women's Studies supplemental reading lists and academic reference collections, From Catharine Beecher To Martha Stewart is also available in hardcover (0807827029).

I have this book on a 30-day preview and it's on a mental future purchases list. I've been pleased and excited by it. Every "good thing" from those on the endpapers to the sidebars are wonderfully do-able ideas. I'm planning to use a few (the finish-your-own-lemonade setup and flower/blossom on a napkin are two) for an upcoming birthday dinner. This book is an excellent introduction to entertaining in a new, yet only-Martha way. I also highly recommend Good Things, Arranging Flowers, Comfort Food, and Desserts, all four of them in The Best of Martha Stewart Living series as companions to this book.

Not only have I read "Living It Up," but I read it often. At least once a week. I am (to say the least) obsessed. While some of the ideas are a little to out-of-it to sound realistic (such as growing flowers in your armpits)- others sound like fun (such as the "throw your own funeral party." and also the idea for a "depression room"). If you are a fan of Karen Finley- whether from seeing her live, hearing her recordings, or even an earlier book- you will definitely love this title. SO CLIMB OUT FROM UNDER THE BED, BUY A BLENDER, AND BUY THE BOOK!

I've used this book to prepare for several parties, and I found the recipes easy to follow and the results tasty. However, for a book focused on entertaining, one that suggests preparing as much as possible in advance, there are no specific directions on when to stop preparing, when to add finishing touches and reheat. (It took a LONG time for the refrigerated Parmesan Smashed Potatoes to get hot -- the whole dinner was delayed.) I am not a pro, and I need the advice. Books like Lora Brody's Entertaining Survival Guide are more useful, in giving advice on doubling the recipe, freezing, etc. This is an irritating oversight in such a beautiful book. The Indonesian Ginger Chicken took a lot of chopping of ginger and garlic to make the sauce and after all that effort tasted just like Teriyaki sauce.

The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook was entertaining to read cover to cover. It was easy to read in an hour, and I often caught myself mentally planning to use several recipes and ideas. The side notes are very helpful in making the recipes successful and simple. Most recipes were ones that I would use for special family events and for entertaining. The best cookbook that I've read that includes detailed descriptions in parenthesis with the ingredients listed in the recipe. I enjoyed the forward by Martha Stewart and the intro from Ina Garten. The photos were vivid and personable. The sources are listed for specialty foods also. If you like to cook simple specialty dishes for family or friends, this is a cookbook to read and use. Ina Garten's book is not just your ordinary cookbook.

I cook, a lot. My friends cook, alot. I really dread trying to buy cookbooks on line, hoping that they are worth not only the shelf space but the shipping and handling. I recieved this cookbook a year ago but never really explored it. I made one or two dishes, all were delicious, but until recently I had not delved into its pages. Wow. what a treat. Kind of like finding forgotten money in your pant pocket.I strongly encourage people to try the swordfish,carrots, fennel, beef bouruigon, banana muffins--I could go on and on. Every recipe is a crowd pleaser and they are easy. Garten's recipes involve fresh ingredients--most of which you already have on hand-- that are simply cooked with surprising twists. The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook is a must have for all aspiring and inspiring cooks. Makes a great gift and is a valuable addition to every cook's collection regardless of expertise.