Rating: 
Summary: Writer Oppenheimer is a major league talent! Bravo!
Review: 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?
Rating:
Summary: DELICIOUSLY DECADENT DISH
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: The whole truth and nothing but the truth?
Review: I didn't have an opinion one way or the other about Martha Stewart before I read this book, but now I would NEVER buy her products under any circumstances, and I'm even considering boycotting KMart for associating with her. This woman is evil personified if the author got his facts right, and I do believe the information he presents if only because the vast majority of his sources are named! I loved the book because it provided a great escape from my ho-hum life (relatively speaking). GREAT BEACH BOOK!
Rating: 
Summary: Very sad
Review: I find it very sad that Mr Oppenheimer has spent so much time in writing this book, but even sadder that I wasted my time reading it.
Rating: 
Summary: How can anyone read this and believe it all?
Review: I guess we all have our faults, but I really can't believe our wonderful Martha has this many. Please, read this with a "handful" of salt. Martha has been such an inspiration to us all. For those who love to cook and decorate, she gives us hope that there is a world where women really care about these things.
Rating:
Summary: is it possible to award NO STARS for a review?
Review: I had decided not to ever read this book, but I was looking at the pictures and decided to give it a try. I can't believe the hate and meaness that soaks through this entire book. No one could be as horrible as the author makes M. Stewart out to be. I wonder if M. Stewart were a man if the business dealings would be protrayed in a positive light. I think we love to tear down successful people in our country. It makes me sad. I think that no one is perfect, but also, no one is pure evil. I would like to know if the people quoted in this book are happy with the book. As for the recipes,etc, I make many of M. Stewart's recipes and they always turn out well. Mr. O, I hope you have led a perfect life, because one day someone might decide to "tell all" about YOU!
Rating:
Summary: Fun, Fascinating, Fast Reading
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Good coffee klatsch material
Review: I have to admit, I do tune in to Martha's show every once in a while and enjoy what I see on the screen. Oppenheimer does do a good job in letting us see what goes on off-screen. Great and famous people often stand upon the shoulders of giants, and Ms. Stewart is no different in that regard (according to Oppenheimer, she was also more than happy to stand on the shoulders of her family and several members of her staff, too). The author really does seem to admire Stewart's drive and tenacity, while showing us the rather sordid underside of how she acquired her fame and who she hurt to get it. Well, corporate abuse is nothing new; and Oppenheimer is simply telling the story of one woman's quest for fame and fortune--and succeeded in getting them.
Rating:
Summary: Good coffee klatsch material
Review: I have to admit, I do tune in to Martha's show every once in a while and enjoy what I see on the screen. Oppenheimer does do a good job in letting us see what goes on off-screen. Great and famous people often stand upon the shoulders of giants, and Ms. Stewart is no different in that regard (according to Oppenheimer, she was also more than happy to stand on the shoulders of her family and several members of her staff, too). The author really does seem to admire Stewart's drive and tenacity, while showing us the rather sordid underside of how she acquired her fame and who she hurt to get it. Well, corporate abuse is nothing new; and Oppenheimer is simply telling the story of one woman's quest for fame and fortune--and succeeded in getting them.
Rating:
Summary: Gossip and MORE
Review: I recently read "Martha, Inc." and decided to try "Just Desserts". To say that I have overdosed on Martha is an understatement. My voyeuristic look into her life and business dealings ending up making me feel very uncomfortable - I was overwhelmed with all the excess and with what is prioritized in her life. I like beautiful furnishings in my homes, tasteful decorating and good cooking -- but to elevate these to the level of sacraments the way Martha has is pretty pitiful. She is, however, a brilliant businesswoman to have achieved such success. I know more than I ever wanted to know about this domestic diva. And even if only 10 % of what both authors wrote is true, I am glad I am not Martha's neighbor/sister/friend. Of course, It appears that she has no real friends, just people who serve and tolerate her. There is not a lot I can add to the wonderful review written by Nancy Kay Owens - she wrote so well about all of the things that bother me about the superficiality of Martha Stewart and her empire. I am glad I read this book. I still like looking at Martha's magazines (in the library - I do not add to her wealth)because once in a great while there is something practical I can use. But I am no admirer. And I have tried several recipes that were total failures! I think Jerry Oppenheimer did a fairly good job of researching and depicting the life of this woman who has become a cultural icon.
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