MARTHA, INC.

Read in 2004

Interesting read. It is not clear what is the author's own attitude toward Martha Stewart, a mixture of understanding and dislike. The book shows Martha to be strong willed, determined, and prone to temper tantrums. Also visionary. What is most interesting to ponder in reading this book, is that the world's most successful women, just as men, are extremely driven to the point of being called capricious, arbitrary or unreasonable. The fact that extremely creative people must often act this 'capricious' way in order to have the opportunity to express their vision, especially in working through others, this is often underscored. My sympathy goes out to Martha, who appears to be very human, also neurotic, controlling, cold and calculating. These are all words we use to attack people who do not compromise easily, especially women. Martha's ultimate and only answer to all the criticism she has attracted in the past is the empire she has built.

Also of note, the fact that Time Warner and other studios did not see the concept behind Living magazine, did not see the concept behind the TV show she wanted to do. The MANAGEMENT, in this case the big boys at Time Warner never got Martha's vision. "Why would a bunch of women in Manhattan want to watch a TV show with tips for gardening?" they asked "when there are not gardens for them to practice on." "Because.." Martha replied, "They may not live in the country in a beautiful house with fresh air and flowers, but they all WISH THEY DID." Martha understood she was selling a fantasy. She KNEW HER BRAND and she never questioned her vision even when facing some supposedly very smart men with more experience.