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Streisand: A Biography
An intimate, revisionist portrait of the legendary Barbra Streisand draws on hundreds of interviews with friends, colleagues, family members, and others to reveal her difficult childhood, rise to fame, tumultuous personal life, and obsession with perfection and control. 100,000 first printing. BOMC. Tour.
Hardcover
First published April 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 18, 2021
I love her beautiful voice but that's about it.
November 13, 2020
I"m reading this tome right now. I kind of feel an editor could have snipped quite a few paragraphs and pages from it.. Seems a bit repetitious.
But..learning a lot about B. Streisand..or at least the arc of her life.. Now in the post Funny Girl , Hello Dolly phases.
Walter Matthau said some very amusing things about his co-star..!!
But..learning a lot about B. Streisand..or at least the arc of her life.. Now in the post Funny Girl , Hello Dolly phases.
Walter Matthau said some very amusing things about his co-star..!!
May 11, 2021
I am a devoted Streisand fan and loved the book, but....
Serious editing is needed to correct the abundant typos. It is an unfortunate distraction from a fascinating story of an icon.
Serious editing is needed to correct the abundant typos. It is an unfortunate distraction from a fascinating story of an icon.
July 5, 2007
Love Barbra, but I would rather hear her than read about her!
September 29, 2025
This review will first quote from another review. In 1994, after she had returned to live performance after a hiatus of almost thirty years, Streisand delivered a show at Madison Square Garden that Rex Reed was not as enamored with as he perhaps could have been:
"'There's no denying her talent,' he said, 'but it's always the voice that gets to you, not the interpretation. Every inflection, every modulation, every supersonic high note, seems canned on vinyl. You could be home listening to records. She doesn't have the vulnerability of Garland or Piaf, or the kind of moment-to-moment self-discovery that breeds the art of spontaneity. She's such a perfectionist...she's not about to open the doors and let you in.'
"Reed was in the minority. It is almost impossible to compare Streisand with Garland and Piaf. They are cut from a different cloth. Both victims, exposing their bruised, fragile selves to their audiences who listened to them in quite a different way than Streisand's audiences listen to her. Streisand's fans are not sharing her pain, they are celebrating her strength to overcome all the obstacles that they perceive she has overcome--turning homely into beautiful, making ethnic mainstream, daring to cross over into a man's world as director, producer, and business executive. She is a dignified feminist, a liberal proud of the word and never afraid to voice her opinion. And she has maintained uninterrupted stardom and popularity for more years than any other entertainment figure except perhaps Sinatra. She is far more intelligent than either Garland or Piaf and approaches her work in a more intellectual way. They were unique, most certainly, and could move you to chills and tears, making you want to run up onstage and hold them in your arms, to save them. And especially in Garland's case, to forgive anything and everything--even when she could not it the notes or remember the lyrics. Much more is expected of Streisand, and she makes sure that, to the best of her ability, she lives up to her own high expectations" (500).
That's about it, really. Edwards' biography differs substantially from Streisand's recent autobiography in some obvious ways, mainly because it's about thirty years older, so it concludes just when Streisand finally found a lasting love with James Brolin, but also--more importantly--because it provides closer looks at many of the people with whom she has shared her spectacular life, not always to her credit. Jon Peters comes across as a far more interesting and sympathetic man than he does when Barbra is telling the story, as does Elliott Gould and even Don Johnson. That's the benefit of being a little bit more objective, of course. Even so, there is no denying that even Edwards is caught up in the Streisand mystique and occasionally allows herself unreserved praise for someone who is--let's be clear--almost superhuman because she has worked her way into the position of being the soundtrack of our lives. Even in 1997, Edwards could conclude with the effusive statement that "Streisand is nonetheless a living kaleidoscope of the last half of the twentieth century as she represents so many touchstones in our lives" (520), and that accolade has only become more objectively true in the thirty years since.
"'There's no denying her talent,' he said, 'but it's always the voice that gets to you, not the interpretation. Every inflection, every modulation, every supersonic high note, seems canned on vinyl. You could be home listening to records. She doesn't have the vulnerability of Garland or Piaf, or the kind of moment-to-moment self-discovery that breeds the art of spontaneity. She's such a perfectionist...she's not about to open the doors and let you in.'
"Reed was in the minority. It is almost impossible to compare Streisand with Garland and Piaf. They are cut from a different cloth. Both victims, exposing their bruised, fragile selves to their audiences who listened to them in quite a different way than Streisand's audiences listen to her. Streisand's fans are not sharing her pain, they are celebrating her strength to overcome all the obstacles that they perceive she has overcome--turning homely into beautiful, making ethnic mainstream, daring to cross over into a man's world as director, producer, and business executive. She is a dignified feminist, a liberal proud of the word and never afraid to voice her opinion. And she has maintained uninterrupted stardom and popularity for more years than any other entertainment figure except perhaps Sinatra. She is far more intelligent than either Garland or Piaf and approaches her work in a more intellectual way. They were unique, most certainly, and could move you to chills and tears, making you want to run up onstage and hold them in your arms, to save them. And especially in Garland's case, to forgive anything and everything--even when she could not it the notes or remember the lyrics. Much more is expected of Streisand, and she makes sure that, to the best of her ability, she lives up to her own high expectations" (500).
That's about it, really. Edwards' biography differs substantially from Streisand's recent autobiography in some obvious ways, mainly because it's about thirty years older, so it concludes just when Streisand finally found a lasting love with James Brolin, but also--more importantly--because it provides closer looks at many of the people with whom she has shared her spectacular life, not always to her credit. Jon Peters comes across as a far more interesting and sympathetic man than he does when Barbra is telling the story, as does Elliott Gould and even Don Johnson. That's the benefit of being a little bit more objective, of course. Even so, there is no denying that even Edwards is caught up in the Streisand mystique and occasionally allows herself unreserved praise for someone who is--let's be clear--almost superhuman because she has worked her way into the position of being the soundtrack of our lives. Even in 1997, Edwards could conclude with the effusive statement that "Streisand is nonetheless a living kaleidoscope of the last half of the twentieth century as she represents so many touchstones in our lives" (520), and that accolade has only become more objectively true in the thirty years since.
May 8, 2026
I was a little shocked when the author listed a number of artists that Barbra Streisand was more talented than including one of my all-time favorites: Julie Andrews. Surely not! But as I continued to read the book I was astonished at how big Streisand was. I never thought of her as that significant an artist. I didn’t realize how wrong I was.
A lot of this has to do with the fact that I’m just not that big of a movie buff. If memory serves I have seen only two Streisand movies: *Yentl* and *Nuts*. I don’t remember being blown away by either of them. On the other hand I have only seen two Julie Andrews movies *The Sound of Music* (probably my favorite after *Ben Hur*) and *Mary Poppins*. Surely these two Julie Andrews movies are more iconic than anything Barbra Streisand did.
I still prefer Julie Andrews' voice to Streisand's. Surely, I thought, Streisand never sang anything as technically demanding as "The Lonely Goatherd"? Wrong again! "Don’t Rain on my Parade" is *more* technically challenging than "The Lonely Goatherd". So while comparing artists is certainly subjective, saying that Barbra Streisand is more talented than Julie Andrews is certainly a defensible position.
I was more offended when later in the book Edwards claims that Streisand was better than *any* contemporary artist, including Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra! Here, comparisons are more difficult to make because of the differences between the three artists. But it takes a lot of chutzpah to say Streisand was better than the King of Pop. Michael Jackson revolutionized dance in a way that I don’t think any of Streisand's accomplishments can compare to.
I got this book because my friend Adrienne gave it to my wife to read. But my wife couldn’t read it because the print is too small. I thought I would read it to have something to talk about with Adrienne. Adrienne included a note with the book that says: "This is an awful, AWFUL (rich) woman!" I started out not thinking Barbra Streisand was as awful as Adrienne made her sound, but the further I got into the book I started thinking: maybe she is that awful. One orchestra member said of Streisand: "I have played for some of the finest opera singers in the world but I have never come across anything so reminiscent of a prima donna."
Of course, who knows, maybe Julie Andrews was awful to work with, too. I’ll let you know. This book inspired me to reserve a biography of Julie Andrews from my local library.
Regardless of what you think about Barbra Streisand's musical and acting abilities, she is to be commended for her charitable and political work. She is also to be commended for her support of her gay son in a day and age where gay children could not count on the support of their parents.
A lot of this has to do with the fact that I’m just not that big of a movie buff. If memory serves I have seen only two Streisand movies: *Yentl* and *Nuts*. I don’t remember being blown away by either of them. On the other hand I have only seen two Julie Andrews movies *The Sound of Music* (probably my favorite after *Ben Hur*) and *Mary Poppins*. Surely these two Julie Andrews movies are more iconic than anything Barbra Streisand did.
I still prefer Julie Andrews' voice to Streisand's. Surely, I thought, Streisand never sang anything as technically demanding as "The Lonely Goatherd"? Wrong again! "Don’t Rain on my Parade" is *more* technically challenging than "The Lonely Goatherd". So while comparing artists is certainly subjective, saying that Barbra Streisand is more talented than Julie Andrews is certainly a defensible position.
I was more offended when later in the book Edwards claims that Streisand was better than *any* contemporary artist, including Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra! Here, comparisons are more difficult to make because of the differences between the three artists. But it takes a lot of chutzpah to say Streisand was better than the King of Pop. Michael Jackson revolutionized dance in a way that I don’t think any of Streisand's accomplishments can compare to.
I got this book because my friend Adrienne gave it to my wife to read. But my wife couldn’t read it because the print is too small. I thought I would read it to have something to talk about with Adrienne. Adrienne included a note with the book that says: "This is an awful, AWFUL (rich) woman!" I started out not thinking Barbra Streisand was as awful as Adrienne made her sound, but the further I got into the book I started thinking: maybe she is that awful. One orchestra member said of Streisand: "I have played for some of the finest opera singers in the world but I have never come across anything so reminiscent of a prima donna."
Of course, who knows, maybe Julie Andrews was awful to work with, too. I’ll let you know. This book inspired me to reserve a biography of Julie Andrews from my local library.
Regardless of what you think about Barbra Streisand's musical and acting abilities, she is to be commended for her charitable and political work. She is also to be commended for her support of her gay son in a day and age where gay children could not count on the support of their parents.
March 5, 2024
Anne Edwards was a gift to the biography world. I’ve had this book on my shelf for years and finally decided to read it while waiting to get the new Barbra autobiography from the library, and so glad I did. This biography was practically impossible to put down and worth all 500 plus pages. I’ve got the other one now and will start it soon so ask me anything about La Barbra….
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March 15, 2017Ms. Streisand is a fascinating person. Very successful - quite tortured. I thought she was into music much earlier in life -- but the book told how she learned to sing when she was a struggling actress.
I'm not sure I would enjoy meeting her -- but I respect her. She faces the challenges of her life with true courage. And I think what she has done to support political causes is admirable.
Thanks - Barbara. I will continue to listen to your music for the rest of my life. Your voice is a true gift to us all.
[FYI - bought this book used at a Goodwill]
I'm not sure I would enjoy meeting her -- but I respect her. She faces the challenges of her life with true courage. And I think what she has done to support political causes is admirable.
Thanks - Barbara. I will continue to listen to your music for the rest of my life. Your voice is a true gift to us all.
[FYI - bought this book used at a Goodwill]
January 8, 2009
I was stoked to find a biography about the great Streisand. I've always been a fan of hers, and I can honestly say this biography was worth the price. I learned a lot and I wasn't bored in the process. Once I become bored with a book I start flinging it at people like a boomarang and you don't want to be hit in the head with a book I fling at you. I would definitely read this book and I commend Edwards for writing an informative biography on someone who's accomplished so much in her lifetime.
November 10, 2010
This gossipy biography shows the contradiction that is Barbra Streisand. It show her great talent and her insecurity about it. It shows her generosity to chairities yet it tells how she paid help three dollars an hour and then fired them when she thought the job took too long. The author goes out of her way to say such and such celebrity told her this (always) nasty fact about Barbra. The book was written to sell and makes for very enjoyable reading and seems to be a fair portrait of Barbra into the 1990's.
February 26, 2014
I usually find the excruciating detail in many biographies and autobiographies annoying. In this one it added interest and amplified the writer's purpose. This is a balanced description of a polarizing figure. I've read several Streisand bios before. This one added a great deal of new information.
January 17, 2008
See review on my blog entitled Barbara and Me.
http://rochellejewelshapiro.blogspot....
http://rochellejewelshapiro.blogspot....
February 14, 2009
I had a hard time putting this down. I'm not sure if it was Babs or Anne Edwards that kept me reading.
September 25, 2025
If you love Babs, read this book! Period! Anne Edwards is a fabulous biography writer!
December 28, 2011
Second time reading through because I need some inspiration from a gutsy woman who was nothing else if not completely herself all her life. Viva Barbara! Well written.
February 18, 2013
I enjoyed this biography very much! Was disappointed her affair with Barry Gibb was left out, and did NOT know she'd had a romance with Don Johnson.
October 31, 2022
Loved this book! I feel it was a very good biography that showed Barbra Streisand n a very humane light and gave the full story.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews