Martha: On Trial, in Jail, and on a Comeback

Chapter 1. That's Very Martha

Martha Stewart became the most famous businesswoman in America, a cultural icon whose very name evoked a style and elegance that pervaded all walks of life. She had far greater influence on the way Americans cooked and entertained, and decorated their homes and gardens, than any individual in the nation's history.

She had a knack for knowing how to brighten American households with her food, her flowers, and her gardening; and while many had difficulty articulating precisely what her profession was, millions knew instinctively that her perfectionist emphasis on elegance and simplicity was her unique signature. "Here's how Martha would do it," her loyal fans declared lovingly, as if there were only one way of baking ...