Barbra Streisand

I started listening to Barbra's autobiography in Feb24 and was only able to finish December, so to say it's a long read is probably an understatement. Barbra is force of nature and has led a long and interesting life that is a pleasure to read about. She is deeply authentic and honest in her successes of which there have been many and her foibles. As an EGOT (non-competitive) it is amazing to learn about her rise as an un-conventional star, the challenges she faces a woman leader in a male dominated industry, her efforts to improve the world for all who live in it and her dedication to her craft and whatever else she gets herself into. She covers all the amazing partnerships and collaborations she has enjoyed over her career with some really big names in the music, movie, show business and later politics. I would suggest covering the book in chunks as I did to savor it and take time to dive into the treasure trove of video and audio recordings available these days to immerse yourself in all that is Barbra. This was beyond a doubt my best book of 2024 which is high praise considering my reading list this year. Congratulations Barbra for sharing what is clearly a life well lived, and yes you shall remain evergreen.… (more)

I really tried, and I am a big Barbra fan, but I just could not finish the book. I got to 40% and had to send it back. I was listening to it on audiobook, and thought that would be nice as some of her music and songs would be on there. I left off at 40%, so for this book that would be about page 400. I got as far as the making of The Way We Were, but I just couldn't listen to anymore. She goes into the minutest detail of the filming, choreography, costuming, stage set up and even the sound. By the sound of it she was minutely involved in all of her productions. I wonder what the directors and producers, and even the co-stars must have thought of that. Also, she goes into too much detail about women's rights, global warming, world events and politics, and If you don't agree with all of her politics (which I didn't), it gets a little difficult to wade through alll that to get to the stuff that I was interested in like her life, her family, her friends and acquaintances. There was just not enough of that and way too much of everything else. She is also not afraid to blow her own horn and does that throughout the book (at least the 40% that I listened to). I still like Barbra and admire her extensive body of work. She has led a very interesting and eventful life, and continues to do so. I didn't make it to that point in the monologue, but I'm glad she found James Brolin to spend her life with. I think from what I've heard they are a very solid couple, but as she didn't marry him until she was 53, I did not get far enough into the story to hear about that. I'm glad I listened to what I did as I now know about her childhood and her breakout into fame. That was interesting. But I'm very glad to close the audiobook now and get on with something else.… (more)