Martha Stewart details in the forward of her Homekeeping Handbook that she so enjoyed popular household manuals of the past, she felt compelled to write her own updated version. Among her favorites were Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management from 1961, as well as An Encyclopedia of Domestic Economy published in 1845, and The Concise Household Encyclopedia from early in the twentieth century. She took tips from each of these manuals, combined them with many of the things she has learned over the years, updated the information to create a helpful, modern guide, and combined it all into her 744 page Homekeeping Handbook.

Everyone will probably agree that public opinion of Martha Stewaret varies greatly. Some love her, some admire her, and other can not stand her. Her stint in prison helped her image with some, and others were crestfallen. My personal opinion has more or less moved with the tide, never really falling passionately into any of the above categories. I have often viewed Martha Stewart brand products, her magazine, and her books with interest, but never understood how families outside of the color-coordinated photo spreads could exist in such an orderly world. The fact that Stewart's daughter has grown up to deal with her childhood resentments by mocking her mother in a cable TV program sort of proves that it is not practical to ask a child to never spill on the hand-embroidered antique teatowels.

Family dysfunction aside, Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook is a marvel to behold. It covers household topics ranging from dusting your carved picture frames with a soft paintbrush to what to do in case of a forced evacuation. The book includes her Golden Rules of Dusting, which go way beyond "dusting unto others as they would dust unto you." She gives a graphic description of the variety of forks and spoons that exist in silverware collections, and details how to wash, dry, iron, and store every fabric one may think of. The Homekeeping Handbook is certainly handy. If one were to follow every single instruction within the pages of the book, their home would be immaculate. I am just not sure they would ever have time to enjoy their life, or eat, or sleep. Stewart partially acknowledges this in the How to Use This Book section, near the beginning. She says "Households are busy places, works in progress where there is always something needing immediate attention and always something more that can be done." She says that it is not only a book to help with the important tasks of home ownership, but it also helps readers address the "more that can be done" if there is time and an inclination to go beyond the essentials.

The Homekeeping Handbook itself, published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers, is hefty and reference-like. It makes a fine investment and a wonderful gift. A word to the wise though, if gift giving. There is a fine line when it comes to homekeeping between helping and insulting. And in the case of this book, overwhelming. One may think it would make a great gift for a newly married couple, or first-time home owners. In the long run, it would prove to be, beyond a doubt, helpful. But at first glance, one could easily imagine a young bride sobbing into the pages detailing the appropriate way in which to operate a rotary iron. Furthermore, some may interpret the gift of a book for cleaning one's home as an affront to their current home-making skills. Be sure you are comfortable with the recipient should you choose to use the Homekeeping Handbook as a gift.

If purchasing the Homekeeping Handbook for yourself, consider how much of the information will actually be helpful. My guess is that, over the years, the handbook will be a go-to resource, used again and again. Those vexed by the appropriate way in which to fold a fitted sheet so you do not shove a balled up mess into your linen closet in frustration, will appreciate the book for that lesson alone. Others will find the small appliance care and cleaning section to save them money when they do not have to replace the toaster or waffle iron, yet again. Finally, the numerous checklists and step-by-step instructions will at least arm homeowners with rudimentary organizational skills, saving them time and money in the long run.

Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook may not be for everyone, but for those homeowners that have a desire to live without chaos and with the knowledge for fixing minor household problems on their own, this book is for them. It may take a lifetime to institute all of the tips and directives Martha Stewart gives readers, but at the very least, it gives ambitious homeowners something which to aspire.