I found the contents of this "book" to be terrific. It is full of lovely pictures and creative, scary, unique ideas. Some of them are very labor intensive, but anyone familiar with Martha would expect that. On content alone I probably would have given it 4 1/2 or 5 stars. However, I was extremely disappointed in the format. When I opened the box my first thought was, "I don't remember ordering a magazine." That's really what this is. No, it does not have any ads and none of those annoying little subscription cards fell out of the pages but those are about the only differences. It is no thicker than a standard magazine, and in fact, not as thick as most of my issues of Marth Stewart Living. Because it is a book that should get a lot of use over the years, I can't help but expect that it will look dog-eared very quickly. I would much rather have spent a little more and gotten a hard cover version or at least a thicker book with smaller, sturdier pages.

This was a good book, I had planned on using it last year but didnt have to much time but I definitley will be using it this year! Halloween is my favorite holiday i take it pretty seriously. Remeber its says the best of martha stewart living, so that means that its ideas that have already been published in her magazines. I would reccomend also The big book of halloween, if you are looking for other books. Hope you all have a Happy Halloween 2002!

This book is what I expected: a compiliation of Halloween ideas from past issues of the MSL magazine. If you've saved October issues over the last several years, you may be disappointed that this book doesn't have anything new (but it's convenient to have all these ideas in one place). I'm glad I bought this book, as I subscribed to the mag. just two years ago.

Many of the crafts in this book require patience and skill, and really are for adults and older children. I've made simplified versions of the shadow lanterns -- my family's delighted with the results.

If you're looking for easier Halloween crafts and projects, there are many wonderful books on the market. My children particulary enjoy _The Halloween Book_ by Jane Bull (DK Publishing), a kid-friendly guide to preparing for the holiday.

The events and allegations portrayed by Oppenheimer are not at all as revealing as those that have been posted to these on-line reader reviews. All of this passionate bashing of Martha Stewart belies an assortment of psychological and sociological pathologies that probably have little to do with Ms. Stewart. Why are people so happy to accept that she is so evil? No one seems to criticize Julia Child for being too good a cook. Nor do we accuse Bob Vila of being too apt a house-fixer. Do people hate her for her wealth, for her aggressiveness, for her opportunistic rise to the top? No one in this country, including countless MALE millionaire moguls got to where they are by making it a priority to be nice and make friends. She came from humble beginnings and through enthusiasm, passion and hard work she has built a multi-million dollar media empire. It is easy to hate someone so rich and privileged...even for someone who had to work for it. I cannot understand why it is such a shock to discover the teams of stylists and assistants that are behind the polished look of her magazine and shows. You would think that in this media savvy age we would all understand the inherent phoniness in television and media. The fact is, all Martha Stewart is guilty of is peddling good taste in a nation of Walmart shoppers who want everything fast, cheap and easy. She isn't pretending to suggest that all women should be everything. She is saying "Here's what's out there, these things can make life more beautiful, take what you want." If she has personal problems, marriage problems, etc. it is simply because she is human. Who among us can say that they have perfect family lives and that they have never made mistakes or have never had disappointments? You hate her for being passionate about the details and for trying to prevail in life rather than merely exist? People hate Martha Stewart because the existence of a rich, powerful, intelligent woman of good taste throws into sharp relief how mundane, tasteless and mediocre your lives really are

I rate this book as a "7" because, wittingly or unwittingly, the author has exemplified a problem vis a vis Martha Stewart's story, which afflicts American society today: "Status, Wealth & Money: No Matter What." Although I enjoyed this book (purely for the vicarious, voyeuristic pleasure most of us have of "peering into a "celebrity's life" in order to affirm that yes, he or she too is human), I found it disturbing. I am not now, nor have I ever been a "MS fan". I do not believe that "good taste/good breeding" is reflected in how we decorate our homes or our Christmas cookies, but rather, how we treat our fellow man, how we act in a crisis, how we behave when the going gets rough, and as well, when the going gets good. Sadly, Martha Stewart is convinced that if she can "get that holly wreath just-so" or lay the perfect table setting, that good breeding will emanate like a light from within her. So, what was so disturbing to me about this book? The fact that the reader is confronted with not a merely perfectionistic, pedantic, uptight and frenetic "success story", but rather the case of a tortured and insecure human being who has used the pain of her upbringing to create a fantastical world of "charm, grace and elegance" in the childish and somewhat pathetic belief that the homes, celebrity status and money will somehow provide her the respect and security she craved as a child. My view of Martha Stewart, after reading this book, is of a woman resonating with anger and hositility, a woman emotionally bruised and scarred and a woman who does not know the meaning of the word "friendship." We,as readers, may be shocked and gleefully content to discover that there is mud in Martha's life - despite all her assiduous efforts to the contrary. However, this for me was an initial and superficial reaction. I ended up feeling sorry for this pathetic creature who, at the end of the day, be it a glorious summer evening drowning in the fragrance of her garden blossoms, or a chilly winter evening by her fireplace bathing in the warmth of her designer-scented firewood (which she undoubtedly either already has, or will most likely bring to market), at the end of the day she remains a malcontent, lonely, frustrated and relentless would-be arbiter of "the good life" which ironically, despite the material trappings, seems to have elluded her best attempts at capturing. She is the personification of the merits of talent, ambition and hard work gone sadly awry. Somewhere along the way, she seemed to forget that substance, integrity and character are the basis upon which "style and grace" as well as the "art of living well" are based - and certainly more important and far more worthwhile traits to develop than creating the perfect flan. She is a victim of her own luxurious trappings, always looking elsewhere for confirmation of her worth. I am somewhat concerned that, in her own mad quest for status, she has suceeded in perpetuating a cult of superficialty and materialism, of deriving quality of life from "objets" rather than from the quality of friendships and relationships with others. I am not saying that we should not strive to cultivate comfort in our lives and in our homes. I am saying that if this becomes our priority, above cultivating our characters, we will continue to slouch further away from developing real meaning and gratification in our lives. Martha Stewart could easily go down in history as the "Pied Piper of Selfishness, Greed and Schicki-Micki Materialism". A more obtuse hostess there never was. A more tragic waste of talent and energy heretofore unencountered. The real Sword of Damocles in this, is that she seems to have inadvertently passed this tragic legacy on to her daughter - the innocent victim in her mother's manic quest for the "je ne sais quoi" quality of life.

I just finished Jerry Oppenheimer's book, Just Desserts. I was a little concerned at first because it is an unauthorized biography and I have found many of those to be trash. This book was not great literature, but it is the only book out there on Martha Stewart.

I enjoy Martha's show, not because I actually cook the recipes or make the crafts, but because it is fun to watch. It gives you a glimpse into what great dinners and decorating COULD be.

Mr. Oppenheimer's sources were, for the most part, identified by name and maybe some had an ax to grind. But I feel that for the complete picture (or something close to it) it is up to the reader to investigate with other sources and not just take one book as Gospel truth.

This book was a fast, enjoyable and insightful read. Was it true? Maybe, maybe not. But it gave insight into a seemingly perfect person and the family and early experiences that might have contributed to who she is today-good or bad, right or wrong.

Well, the illustrations in this book are beautiful and Martha's pie crust, as well as her lemon curd, are absolutely the best, but the pies and tarts in this book are simply the worst I've ever tasted! Really, I've tasted kindergarten paste that had more flavor than these recipes. As a seasoned baker, I do know how to substitute ingredients and add more spice, but why should anyone have to? And what about those who can't? After all, the book is not titled, Martha Stewart's Exotic Pies and Tarts for the Experienced Baker Only, however, it should be. What good is a book if most people really can't use it? Yes, I can make all those lovely grape clusters, leaves and tendrils that adorn Martha's Concord Grape Pie, but I think most people are really looking for something a little more basic. Okay, final analysis: if you're looking for the out-of-the-ordinary (and the tasteless) then buy this book. If you just want some great pie and tart recipes, try The Pie and Pastry Bible. You won't go wrong there.

it had a few good recipes i liked in there overall it was an okay cookbook

I'm a little bit of an oddball in that I've been making pies and tarts since I was in High School, and basically learned how through this book. The basic recipes for pie and tart crusts and glazes, found at the back of the book with step-by-step illustrations, have become indispensable favorites of mine. Martha is a big advocate of using a food processor to ensure that chilled ingredients stay that way, ensuring a tender, flaky crust that's fast and reliable, and I couldn't agree more, especially if, like me, you're working in an unairconditioned kitchen. The recipes for pastry cream and lemon curd are superb. Rather than using specific recipes for tarts, I usually bake one of the crusts (pate brisee, pate sucree or sucree extra or nut), use the recipe for pastry cream found in the recipe for the blackberry tart, and add my own fresh fruit and one of the glazes. Among the individual recipes, the apple raisin pie is a favorite I make every Thanksgiving, the Tarte Tatin is great, and I especially appreciate the recipes using Italian Prune or Friar plums, available in late August / September, my favorite fruit for pies and tarts. I just ate a Pear Frangipane tartlet this weekend, and was pleased to discover there was a recipe for it in this book, and look forward to making my own. One of my only complaints is that the recipes seemingly all use different-sized and shaped pie and tart tins, with no easy formulas for converting recipes to fit what you're using. Also, there's no recipe for a classic pecan pie. However, this book is a classic Martha Stewart effort, with the beautiful photographs and consistently high standards that go with that; it certainly has stood the test of time in my kitchen.

This book is not for Martha Stewart fans. It is for the rest of us - those bewildered by the whole Martha Stewart phenomenon. It turns out to be not all that different from most media phenomena. We already knew that people armed with nothing but fanatical self-promotion can become famous singers, actors, authors, politicians, businessmen, etc. Now we know that they can also become whatever it is Martha Stewart is supposed to be. This is an interesting story but hardly unique: a self-made media personality whose image is largely artificial. To give her her due, Stewart is an extreme example: she manages to be a cook without cooking, a writer without writing, an editor without editing, and a salesman without selling much except herself. Perhaps Oppenheimer's treatment is too harsh - the person he describes is clearly suffering from a personality disorder - but he has talked to a lot of people and names names. He focuses on the seamy side but has written an interesting look at an unpleasant woman's strong-willed triumph over truth, honesty, and integrity.

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 am not surprised that Martha tried to stop this book from being published; Jerry Oppenheimer was threatened by Stewart and her legal arms--so he wisely attributed every single comment to the source. And there are many sources! "If it is true you can't sue." Everyone, it seems, wants to tell his or her personal story about this bizarre public figure that makes life hell for everyone around her.

This author must be smiling now because he wrote this 5 years before the current scandal over Martha's insider trading with Sam Waksal. And sure enough, this book contains a mid 1990's photo of Martha dating Sam Waksal!

The writing is New Yorker Magazine quality--erudite, well constructed, with the talent to get the characters under your skin. I really found myself sympathizing with family and friends who have suffered from Martha's tyranny. In the end it makes me think that Stewart is a warning to us all. A reminder that the "good thing" is not how material possessions look but how you feel inside. I'd rather have pizza with happy friends than suffer the stress of a "perfect" Stewart meal.

This book should be reprinted with an update on the last few years of the Martha story. Maybe this author will one day interview her cellmates?

This book really captured the essence of comfort food for me. The recipes are simple and satisfying; my particular favorites are the macaroni and cheese and the chicken pot pie, delicious versions of American classics. Beautiful photography doesn't hurt, either.

Martha only gets four stars for this one, since I agree with an earlier review that points out that this is less of a book and more of a magazine. A little too delicate for the amount of use I give it.

i just received this book and love the format. i don't feel that the presentation is magazine quality and certainly love that some of the recipes i use are finally in one place! i've tried some of martha's other sandwich recipes and loved those, so i can't wait to try the new ones listed in this book. this book would make a great gift for a new cook or a very busy one!

Wow, what a great book! *Most recipe books give lots of "fluff" but no really basic info on "how to" for beginners or for experienced cooks who have just never tried recipes for certain foods. *This book is a very good basic recipe book that has many down to earth, old fashioned, basic recipes that new cooks need, as well as recipes for us older experienced cooks who never tried certain recipes that appeared too complicated before. *Each recipe has basic ingredient lists and explicit instructions. *The best part is that if the recipe calls for an ingredient, such as chicken stock, or focacia bread for a sandwich recipe, right there under the basic recipe is another recipe for that ingredient from scratch if you choose to do that from scratch too. I've never found another cookbook that does this so well. *Also, there are lots of great photos that show each step in the recipe for those procedures that are alien to some of us. *I can't wait to try some of the recipes for items I normally only order at a restaurant, such as French Onion Soup and New England Clam Chowder. *I'm also ordering another copy for my 20 year old son who just moved into his own apartment this summer, as I know he hasn't got a clue how to make Macaroni and Cheese, Waffles, and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches yet - and they're all in this book. *Happy cooking!

For anyone who subscribes to or buys Martha Stewart Living, save your money on this book. It is basically a compilation of past issues on homekeeping and organizing techniques. There are a couple of new ideas(or maybe I don't recall seeing them in the magazine) but otherwise I found this book repetitive of old ideas.

If I had never used even one of the suggestions/ideas in this book, it is beautiful to look at and wonderfully organized.

Even the unrealistic (for me) ideas let me fantasize....not a bad thing!

Martha Stewart's staff has compiled organizational ideas for every room of the house (and even rooms that most of us do not have). Many of the ideas are just common sense, but things I would not have thought of on my own. I had quite a few "ah-ha" moments while reading this book.

I have used several of the ideas: for the broom closet, the office, the garage, and for folding those darn fitted sheets that always end up in a ball, it seems.

I loved the picture wall, the fold-out windowsill, the armoire converted into an office, the herb "pantry", and the spice drawers.

Now if Martha would just send someone over to make all these things for me!

The word "domestic" used to have such a negative connotation, but give us Martha and our lives will never be the same. "Living" (as she so eloquently puts it) is now hip and easy. This book is filled with brillaint ideas - it'll make you wonder why you hadn't thought of them before. For instance, Martha suggests one use a glass and fork to keep recipe cards viewable and CLEAN, or use a simple nail to hang up spools of ribbon or thread to avoid knots & tangles. There are full views of rooms that have been given Martha's magic touch - exposed kitchen shelves, tidy laundry rooms, an armoire turned into a handy (and easily hidden) desk...

This volume breaks the house down by room (from the nursery to the kitchen to the bedroom)and illustrates trendy, super-chic ways to display all your wares. My favorite section is on BOOKS. Some rooms may seem too neatly stacked, but its meant to be a springboard for one's own individual "Domestic" vision. Try her other "Good Things" volume. Its less broad in scope. The crafts are charming, ever-useful.

When this book first came out, I was really looking forward to reading about how Martha Stewart built her empire, especially with there being so much about her in the news. Now let me preface my comments by saying that I read a lot of business and other nonfiction books, and I don't have any personal problem with Christopher Byron, but this book was a huge disappointment.

With the resources that Mr. Byron had access to in writing this book, it would seem that the story should have been clear and objective, like Roger Lowenstein's biography of Warren Buffett, but what we get here is an extremely editorialized style of writing that prevents intelligent people from being able to make their own judgements on the subject matter. There are strings of sweeping statements made after interviews with one individual on a particular topic that influence the way Mr. Byron characterizes Martha Stewart in each section of the book. Let me also confess that I am not a fan of Martha Stewart or her company, so I am not making these statements for any other reason than the fact that I expected so much more in the presenation of the materials in this book.

Moreover, Mr. Byron continues (and this is VERY annoying) to ask these filler questions in every other paragraph, e.g. "And what did Martha do next?" It was annoying the first time I read it but by the time I had made it to page 100, I became convinced that that was just a part of Mr. Byron's style in this book, and my hopes of getting a well-written biography of Martha drifted down the drain.

I would have had no problem with this book if it was called _Martha Stewart: The Unauthorized Biography_, because that's exactly what it reads like. Now don't get me wrong, the book is not some trashy, tabloid expose, but Mr. Byron does not treat this biography with the type of a respect and journalistic presence that good biographers do. He seems to just [down] on this subject, and that upsets me and offends my intelligence.

I'm not trying to be rude here, but having waited months for this book to come to paperback, I felt like I have been a bit cheated in what lies between the covers.

Martha Inc. is a balanced biography of Martha Stewart, but short on recent details. I was hoping to read more about her life after she started Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, but most of the material is a re-hash of many events that one can read in Just Desserts. The epilogue contains information about Martha and Kmart after the tech bust and Kmart's bankruptcy, which is a nice follow-up. The author, Christopher Byron, seems a bit star-struck by Martha, too, calling her a "beautiful blonde" a few too times in the book. Martha Inc. is a good read for Martha followers like me -- subscriber to the magazine, viewer of her TV show, consumer of Martha products -- but to the reader who wants even juicier details, read Just Desserts first.

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!)

Even if you aren't a true fan of Martha, you will enjoy her book filled with decorating and crafting ideas that you can either incorporate into your own traditions or expound upon to revise them to your personal taste.

It's a great book for your crafting collection!

I have found that Martha Stewart books are to be viewed rather than used as a basis for trying to make anything because her instructions and recipes are often convoluted and/or incorrect. I just do not understand why, with her vast resources, Martha does not hire better and more thorough editors and testers.

So now I just look at her books for the visual pleasure they bring me! That way I avoid any frustration associated with implementation. And this one gave me lots of beautiful things to look at: the fruit wreath, the silvery pine cones, the beautifully done petits fours, the handmade ornaments, the gorgeous cookies.

Even if the directions were perfectly clear, I know I still would not make many of these things...but a gal can dream, can't she?

Although, like the rest of the "Christmas with Martha Stewart" books, they are republished features from the magazine, this one is pretty good. You do not have to use red and green every year; Silver, white, and even pastel colors can be used festively. I love the neat snowman article; unfortunately, here in Houston, we don't get much snow! Cookies. . .oh, I licked my lips over the snowflake wafers, but I've never made them.

This was my first and last Martha book. I admit that I'm not that familiar with her work, but I thought I'd get more decorating information than I did. Iwanted her to teach me more about how to use the projects instead of just giving me projects out of context.

This book is a compilation of projects from the magazine and TV show. The pictures are very nice and the projects could produce some beautiful results. But if you are looking for quick decorating ideas, then this book isn't for you. There are some simple projects here, but many of them are complicated.

One pro is the lengthy source information (including prices) which is organized by page number. However many of the "companies" are listed more than once and only the first listing gives the address and phone. Subsequent listings have the words "see above" written after the company name. How inconvenient to thumb through six pages of small print for a phone number! Adding an alphabetical listing of all sources seems like a no-brainer.

One more thing while you are thumbing through the source guide - notice that the sofa on page 18 can be had for a mere $8,870. If you want to spend that much money for something to sit on, why not pay somebody to make your lampshades for you?

I'm in the process of simplifying and optimizing my home's living quarters. I have to admit that I get depressed after looking at other decorating books - for instance, where rooms have dreamy coordinating wallpaper, border, paint & fabrics. This is a decorating book that doesn't stress me out wishing I had a particular piece of furniture or a million dollars. It's the projects themselves that remind you don't need to have to go and buy expensive things around the world. With a little creativity and some elbow grease, you can pick up items from the local home or fabric warehouse and keep it simple. I'd like to make the folding screen (p. 98) from lightweight boards, hinges and casters. I may cover them with fabric instead of paint. But I'll probably start with the linen pillowcases (p. 130) simply because I've got the materials for it. Notice that all the rooms are quite simple. The living room has a couch, a couple of chairs, some nesting tables. period. The projects are "light bulbs" that go on and make us remark: "why didn't I think of that?" OR: "that's what I am aiming for."