Because I had enjoyed reading Oppenheimer's (unauthorized) biography on Anna Wintour, I went out to get hold of his biography on another equally formidable and domineering editrix and who needs no introduction at this point. She is the one and only Martha Stewart, well known as America's Diva of Domesticity, the undisputed doyenne of domesticity. Her name epitomizes the kind of elegant lifestyle which everyone yearns and longs for. She has mesmerized millions with her bestselling books and television shows. She has become the ultimate human commodity. More than just a household name, Martha Stewart is a global brand-name.
At the pinnacle of her success, as the head of a billion-dollar public corporation, Martha became ensnared in the ImClone insider trading case. She was indicted on a range of federal criminal and civil charges. Released without posting bail, Martha immediately stepped down as chief executive and chairwoman of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. and remained as a director and chief creative officer.
With her ambition and drive and fortune, what did Martha do next? Will Martha be vindicated or convicted?
Most readers would know the answer by now and what had gone on in Martha's "perfect" life since but at the time of publication of this book in 2003, the author's aim was to tell a definitive and candid story of Martha based on hundreds of exclusive interviews with colleagues, friends, business associates and family members - how her driving ambition for power and fame shattered her marriage, destroyed relationships with close and loyal friends, and strained her bond with her only child.
At the same time, it's an all-American story of how a one-time poor girl from Jersey who grew up in a cramped three-bedroom, one bath house with five other competitive siblings leaped to incredible heights, from an unknown model, to stockbroker, to caterer, to the head of a lifestyle-multimedia-merchandising conglomerate.
If you want to know more about Martha, you can catch up with the domestic goddess on her official blog, her official website, YouTube and Twitter.
Just Desserts is a scrupulously researched and well-written book and I recommend it to all. Some of the above information have been taken from the paperback. Happy reading.
On the author: Jerry Oppenheimer is an author, journalist, investigative reporter and a producer of television news programs and documentaries. His latest book is Madoff with the Money (2009).
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