Martha Inc.: The Incredible Story of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia

by Christopher M. Byron

Martha Stewart has generated an enormous following by establishing herself as the leading authority for all things domestic and in the process created a multimillion-dollar enterprise and a personal net worth of nearly $2 billion. As one of the most successful self-made female business owners in American history, Martha Stewart is a topic of interest for fans, business professionals and would-be entrepreneurs alike.
Martha Inc. tells the compelling story of how this complex woman created an empire on domesticity and examines her business inside and out. Through an engaging narrative by popular columnist Christopher Byron, this book chronicles how the business was built, what it took to take it public, and the personal and professional transformation Martha has undergone to make it all work. To get a true portrait of the woman whose work ethic is her personal life, Byron delves into the underreported facets of Martha's past, such as the effects her challenging childhood and years on Wall Street have had on her uncompromising business acumen. From Martha Stewart Living magazine and marthastewart.com to a K-Mart line of houseware products, a line of house paints, and a television show, this book details how a former caterer from Connecticut has created a media and merchandising empire, pulling off what large media corporations with vast resources struggle to accomplish.
Martha Stewart has sold America on good taste and now readers can learn exactly how she did it and what drives her to keep conquering new vistas. A corporate biography as well as a success story worthy of Horatio Alger, Martha Inc. also delves into how a cult of personality is created and how Martha Stewart capitalized on the zeitgeist that characterized the last half of the twentieth century. This book is a must read for anyone who has been touched by Martha's marketing savvy or who dreams of making it big.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Business, Entrepreneurship, Biography Memoir, Book Club

416 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not good!!! This is maybe the second book ever I'm putting up here because I tried reading it and was so appalled by the writing that I officially gave up forever. This book will not be re-attempted.

I feel particularly bad because this was actually a gift from my mother, and a whole 10 years ago! (I loved the MS show as a kid.) But this book is written like a trashy check-out line magazine article. It's sensationalistic, poorly written, and really quite unpleasant to read. Also found several spelling/grammar mistakes within the couple short sections I skimmed - not impressive.

I've never said this before about a book, but - this book is trash. Not worth reading.

[Bill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found "Martha Inc" by Christopher Byron...just OK. It was interesting but contained few surprises. I think Martha's "incredible story" has been well covered in previous publications and news stories leaving not to much more to tell.
The author describes a ruthless business person using any and all her resources to climb to the top. The book details how she appeared to walk over her opposition and competition callously using family friends, neighbours, business people, corporations and the media to arrive at the pinnacle of her career. I notice other reviewers have criticized the writing in this book. I find no fault with it. I did however find the detailed financial analysis in the final chapters very dry and skim worthy.
The book left me with one major question. Would Martha have been treated differently if she had been a man? I have my opinion, but I'll leave the answer to you. If you see this book, published in 2002-03, in a second hand shop...pick it up if you have always been fascinated by Martha Stewart. I think some of us will always be in awe of everything she achieved but not so much by How she accomplished it.

[Linnea · Rating 1 out of 5]

I normally don't write reviews, but this was a very unpleasant book to read.

The author attempts unsuccessfully to veil his contempt for Martha, not to mention women in general, repeatedly discussing how women are secretly yearning to get back to homemaking. While there are many women who enjoy that, there are also women who don't, and it would be nice if he respected all of their choices.

I was excited to learn how Martha turned her home catering business into a public company, but he barely touches on that. Instead, he tells likely fabricated or largely embellished "insider stories" that just seem petty.

Finally, the book has a dizzying lack of chronological order, constantly jumping back and forth so the author can mention whatever potentially incriminating tidbit fits the takedown of that particular chapter.

I finished the book and I still know nothing about Martha or her business.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was enjoyable and entertaining, to a certain extent. It seemed to drag at times- the author had already made his point QUITE CLEARLY and he kept rambling on and providing more and more examples of Martha's nature ad nauseum. The part that irritated me most was the beginning- the author seemed to be reading deeply into Martha's words and reflections to draw out all kinds of meanings. It felt scantily researched at best, more like vague speculation and generalizations than actual fact-based biography writing. "Well, we couldn't know what Martha was thinking at this point, but it certainly wasn't XYZ! Or was it?"

I learned a lot about Martha's life, and she's definitely an interesting lady. It's fascinating to read of how she got to be such a business mogul from her meager childhood in Nutley, New Jersey. The book definitely felt dated (since it came out in '02). I would have loved a refreshed edition with a look at how Martha has adapted to the state of things in the internet era. She's still doing quite well for herself in this age of social media and self-promotion! She may even fit in better now than when she was building her empire.

All in all, an interesting read, though not the highest quality writing.

[Kate Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up to read on vacation, something not too demanding. I'd been curious about Stewart's career for a long time: how did her influence in the homemaking arts get so widespread, and how does she come up with all those decorating ideas?
The author follows her from her middle class upbringing through her early days as a model and stockbroker, her catering days in Westport, the acrimonious breakup of her marriage, the deal with KMart, and the development of her amazing skill in putting together multimillion dollar media deals. In addition to her talents for earning the big bucks and making her brand wildly successful, he also shows us someone manipulative, acquisitive, unable to control her temper, demanding perfection from others, disorganized (in contrast to her image), disloyal to friends, comfortable with lying--and lying big, and unable to sustain close personal relationships. Her staff apparently comes up with most of the craft, decorating and cooking ideas, gives her the scripts before taping, which Stewart sometimes doesn't even read, and the staff then has to walk her through the presentation before she appears on camera!
The book was published after the ImClone trading scandal came to light but before she was indicted and imprisoned, so for details on the latter events, you'll need to consult another source.

[Karl Schaeffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to say to my wife that if Martha came to the front door and told me to come with her, I'd follow her anywhere. Well, that won't happen after reading this book. Martha appears not to be a very nice person. That doesn't detract from what she's amassed in terms of money, fame and influence; but she doesn't seem to be a very nice person. Or a happy person for that matter. Then again, most driven/"successful" people seem to have character flaws. Steve Jobs has done some great stuff and is widely admired, but he is well known for his tantrums "in pursuit of excellence". Byron's story is well written and does a good job tracing Martha's rise in the business world. Bryon has some insight due to some occasional personal contact with Martha. I found Bryon's discussion of Martha being at the tail end of the pre-baby boomer generation; and, taking the mid-century homemaker ethic and making it "comfort food" for frustrated baby boomer women worn out by 2nd wave feminism. The book stops with the IPO of Martha Omnimedia. Bryon asks the question, what will happen to the company when Martha passes on? Will the company survive? It seems that the answer is yes, given Martha's incarceration for insider trading. Is Martha's mystique tarnished by this book? No. Will I drop everything and follow if Martha beckons? No!

[Cnoblefl · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my first engagement presents was the Weddings book by Martha Stewart. I've had a love/hate relationship with her ever since. While I find it ironic that the author begins with his rather profitable and positive experience w/ Martha Stewart(she not only promised to help him with some contacts for his work, she actually followed up on her offer) he still included some rather petty "gossip", rather than sticking to the facts which alone are interesting enough. Love her or hate her, all in all this is a good read on the rise and fall of America's top business woman.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This biography wasn't written by Martha, so I don't know how much of it is actually true, but even if only half of it is correct, then I have a lot of pity for Ms. Stewart. She is one of the most famous, wealthy, coveted and successful women in the world, and yet, if this author is to be believed, she is a selfish, lonely and unhappy person. It was, however, interesting to learn the details of how she arrived at where she is today.

I almost made it to the end, but I just was so saddened reading it that I couldn't bring myself to pick it up to read the last few chapters.

[Kaarin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating biography. Published prior to her time in jail, so an entire chunk of her life isn't explored. That being said, her road to becoming Martha is amazing and pulls the reader in different directions. Sometimes we are sad for her, furious with her, curious by her reactions, etc. etc. She's a complex person and this book gives insights to the how and why she became one of the best businesswomen in America.

[Elisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confirmed my personal opinion of Martha, but also will allow that she's also a very determined and innovative business woman who doesn't let anyone or anything get in her way. She managed to convince KMart and Time Warner to give her extremely large amounts of capital to fund her image and ideas and her personal investments, including houses, personal clothing accounts and an IPO.
Very interesting. Would like to read/scan Just Desserts, publication of which she tried to prevent.

[Jennifer Ozawa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Martha Stewart may not be the nicest person. She certainly didn't get where she is today by being kind and easygoing. Yet, the author's view of her seems to come entirely from spite and sour grapes. He passes on details of Martha's first marriage like a gossip columnost with some kind of ax to grind.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe Martha wasn't too pleased her "friend" would publish this and give inside information about her life. I found the book to be most interesting and didn't find it to put her in a bad light at all, but quite the opposite. She is an intelligent woman. I don't approve that she put her career before her daughter.

[Lillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

i never had any interest in martha, but i found this to be a well researched book. it ends in 2002 before her 'troubles' with wall street and her jail time. i find her to be a fascinating woman with a fascinating life ...and not necessarily in a good way.

...i still have no use for martha and now i know why :~)

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The was an interesting read. Who knew that Martha Stewart had such a difficult life or that she was so demanding. I thought it was well written. A true story about a difficult and demanding person, headed for financial and personal success. The story of Martha's life does not cover the more recent period of her trial and incarceration.

[Mai · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don't waste your time. It's a shame that Martha had such high standards with most everything and the author of Martha Inc is not a very good writer. I don't care what the book says. Actions speak much louder than words and opinions are given out freely in this book. She works hard and has paid for what she's done wrong.

[Kenneth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great Unauthorized memoir of Martha, all pre-prison and is now a bit dated, but it gives a great history of her rise to power and the making of the woman she is today. He spares none of the stories, that will make you understand the "harsh side" of Martha.

[Anne Marshall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very eyeopening look at Martha Stewart

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I were a professor teaching business, this book would be a must! It is very educational, interesting and easy to read.

[Mark Dantonio · Rating 3 out of 5]

ISBN = 0471123005 Christopher Byron

I have always been curious about Martha. I bought the book because I wanted to get a comprehensive story. This book gives it to you.
It is long and tough reading at times, but you get a sense of who Martha Stewart is on a business level. You get some personal details as well, but I am sure it is not the whole story. The book gives the impression that Martha never overcomes her difficult relationship with her father. I got the impression she was in a lifelong battle to try to out compete her father. She basically accomplished this early in life. I get the idea that he was miserable and made everyone feel the same.
Basically, I feel the book is saying that Martha is successful because she is disciplined, intelligent and she never gives up. Like Trump she focuses on promoting herself. She is the product. In this sense she is very much like Trump. The book gives me the impression that she is very unhappy, and this is what I thought before I read it. When you read about Trump you get the impression that he loves life. I feel that there is something to the idea that she is vilified because she is female. Men acting the same way are not treated the same. Gender aside, she is a brilliant businessperson. Is she difficult to work for? Yes! But so are Welch, Trump and a host of others.
The book drags a bit and unless you really want to know about Martha, you may find yourself losing interest. For that reason, I would not recommend it. Worthwhile only if you are a Martha fan. The book also does not cover her difficulties with the law. Book was heavily discounted at Barnes and Noble.

Mark D.

[JL Mars · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unlike other reviewers, I had not read any previous work on Martha's life and this was my inaugural text. It became glaringly obvious from early on, however, that the author had an axe to grind against the subject in question. This is possibly explained towards the end of the book when he notes that he has been neighbors with Martha for many years - a declaration I feel should've come much earlier. Personally, I do not care for Martha as a human being, but I respect her success and achievements particularly as a woman immensely. This book did not do justice to weaving this nuanced narrative of a deeply flawed human being who succeeded phenomenally where others had failed. Instead, it spoke very strongly of the author's own issues towards women in general but one woman more specifically.

I have since ordered other biographies about Martha Stewart to try to get the objective perspective this book was desperately lacking in.

Factually informative at points, but overall thoroughly disappointing due to the author's clear and unapologetic tarnished perspectives towards the subject.

[Carolyn Palo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the book was well researched, but missing key elements (interviews) that would have made it more credible. The viewpoint the author took cast an unflattering light on the lady. However, it clearly shows success has a price and people are vindictive, and women suffer consequences that typical men at the same level somehow avoid. I thought her inside trading situation was farcical. She’s a tough lady. A lesson for us all.

[David Hohrath · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt like this book did too much Martha bashing. I wanted to read this book to hear about how Martha brought a catering company to one of the biggest home businesses, however the book fixates on her rough childhood and her problems with her own personal relationships and not on her business successes.

[Kay Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has thirty years experience writing and researching and it shows. He's witty, humorous and captivating. He interviewed over a hundred people for this book and he shows interesting perspectives of her. Though he has negative stories about her, he balances those stories with her experiences and history to show why she'd do such a thing.

[Jackson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am not sure why I read this -- was hoping for something better, I guess. The Horatio Alger part is nice, but otherwise seems somewhat bite-y. MAybe it is the genre I don't care for as opposed to the book, but nyeh.

[Nicole Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing was really not great. Non-linear and seemed to jump around a lot. Also went off on tangents for other projects and celebrities loosely related to Martha. Does not cover why she went to prison, but everything.leading up to that.

[Gemma Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not good! Rarely do I give up on a book, but this one was too hard to read and just not enjoyable. Such a shame!

[Mary Mcintyre · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing new.

[Nicki Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this insightful behind the scenes look into the world of Martha Stewart

[Chris Spangle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was obsessed with the dark side of the person and was often very unfair to its subject. It’s more like a gossip book than helpful information.

[Shelly Nicholson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tell all book about Martha. Is she ruthless...probably, but she kicked ass and stood toe to toe with any man.