Book Review: My Name Is Barbra

(A Christmas present. Finally finished two and a half months later) As I was reading this door-stopper of an autobiography on the subway, a woman said to me as she was exiting, "I admire you, sir." I was startled and said, "Why, because I'm reading this huge book?" She laughed and nodded her head. The sheer size of Streisand's enormous tome is not surprising when you start reading it and how she relies every detail of every experience she's every had. Some would call her obsessed or controlling. If she were a man, she would be labelled commanding and thorough. But despite the meticulousness, My Name Is Barbra is an engrossing account of one of the most unique and talented entertainers of her time, certainly the best singer and among the best actresses. 

From the decoration of her dressing rooms to the sound mixing of her albums to directorial decisions, Streisand leaves nothing out. If you want to know how to launch a career, put together a TV special, mount a concert tour, deal with difficult studio heads, furnish a home, or process an insanely jealous mother--Babs will let you know how. We learn so much about Broadway, Hollywood, political activism and the music biz, it's like a college seminar. The personal side is not neglected with honest appraisals of her two marriages (to Elliot Gould--they were both too young--and James Brolin--he arrived in her life at exactly the right time) as well her many extended relationships and dalliances. There are also the tragic might-have-been projects such as The Normal Heart, a remake of Gypsy and a sequel to The Way We Were. A fat, juicy lovefest for Streisand fans--of which I am one.