• Being Martha

  • The Inside Story of Martha Stewart and Her Amazing Life
  • By: Lloyd Allen
  • Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
  • Length: 5 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (218 ratings)

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Being Martha  By  cover art

Being Martha

By: Lloyd Allen
Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
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Publisher's summary

When Martha Stewart was under investigation for insider trading and later on trial, the media served up countless gratuitous stories describing her ornery character. Now, Lloyd Allen, Martha's old friend and neighbor, is out to set the record straight. Drawing on hundreds of hours of interviews with Martha, her family, and her close friends and colleagues, Allen reveals the other side of the story, bringing to life the real woman behind the controversial and glamorous public image. From her childhood in New Jersey to the early days of her catering business, her rise as lifestyle guru, the huge success of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, and now two new television shows, Allen weaves together fascinating observations and details that show how Martha made it to the top and stayed there through talent, passion, and hard work.
©2006 Lloyd Allen (P)2006 Blackstone Audiobooks

What listeners say about Being Martha

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

A view to Martha Stewart's life from the inside

The author is Martha Stewart's friend and he makes that perfectly clear. That said, I think he does a good job at being impartial. Provides good descriptions of how it all started however doesn't go as much into how the business grew after a while.
If you want to know more and learn from Martha Stewart, I find this a good book to start.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It offers a very fair neutral look at Martha Stewart.(One of my idols). I highly recommend it!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • TC
  • 02-21-22

Quite enjoyable & inspirational

As is noted in this book, people love to see others taken down. People seem to thrive on bad news that happens to others, especially since we have become impossibly politically divided, and Covid has taken over the world. Years ago, many rejoiced at the takedown of Martha Stewart, while others, like me, were perplexed by her seemingly harsh sentence, given the circumstances. Written by a friend, this insider account of Martha Stewart’s personality, both good and bad aspects, as well as her failures, struggles, and her accomplishments, was a very enjoyable listen. I can only wish for a tiny fraction of her energy, knowledge and creativity, but I found this book to be a motivational, inspirational, thoroughly enjoyable listen. I immediately started on several projects I’d put off for far too long. I’d love for Martha to write and perform an autobiography of her entire life, but until then, I highly recommend this lovingly written tribute to a talented, successful woman!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Too biased. Didn't finish the book

I was really interested to hear Martha's biography and life story however was put off by the constant bias and justification attempts of her actions to the point I was not interested in hearing any more
Would have been a lot better to tell the story as is - or as told by people that know her without the added justifications and have the reader form their own opinion ( see Steve jobs biography it's not all pretty but tells the story as is good bad nice and ugly )
Too bad it was not written objectively

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

the terrible character voices

this book was terrible. if it was trying to make Martha Stewart look good, it failed. saying terrible things about her then saying things like, you'd have to understand her personality to get it, doesn't work.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting read!

Lately I’ve been reading memoirs/biographies from either the direct source or from reputable friends/family. What a dark contrast from how the media portrayed her. I have always been a Martha fan- now I’m even more! Excellent read

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved the book

I always admired Martha, her talents and beauty but I loved her more in her show with Snoop Dog. I would have loved to see more episodes, they’re amazing together. 🥰

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • TK
  • 06-08-23

Good

Not earth shattering, but having not known much about Martha I found it entertaining. Listens easy.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Nothing to learn, but crappy stories

It’s kind of wack. Nothing new. More like a story you can tell about any stranger you just met.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Disappointed

Didn’t learn that much about Martha. I did hear lots of stories and lots of excuses though

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