Customer Reviews

Barbra: The Way She Is

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(69)

 

 

Boy, does someone have an axe to grind with Barbra or what? OK, so it's not big news that Barbra Streisand can be difficult to work with, is a perfectionist, may have a high opinon of herself. But the author takes every opportunity to knock her. Even those who had to work with her on movie sets where she might have been demanding admit that her suggestions, her know-it-all attitude was often correct. And can Barbra do nothing right? Early on he takes her to task for her lack of grooming, later on for her fastidious dressing and nails. With this author, Barbra couldn't win. The entire book has a gossipy feel to it that made many of the observations suspect. Bottom line? Next time I'll look for an objective author, not someone out to malign his subject.

"Below is an e-mail written from Randy Stone, who is Barbra's sister's ex-husband:

Someone sent me an e-mail of an article on page six that I must respond to.It has to do with Barbra Streisand and it is a vicious lie. The article claims that Barbra was in Los Angeles on the day her sister got married and she refused to attend.

I'm sadly used to reading vicious lies about Barbra. but this one made blood boil. It is so far beyond the truth that I just want to mention a few things. I was the groom in that wedding so I want set the record straight. First of all, Barbra gave us our wedding, on her beautiful Malibu Ranch, and then she gave us a large gift of money to get us started on our new life together. A while before Roz and I actually got married, Barbra had been frantically working on making Yentl. When we told her that we were going to be married she was thrilled for us and agreed to be Roz's Maid of honor. She was so happy for her sister, that we finally came up with a date for our wedding, Barbra was willing to move post production on Yentl from London to Los Angeles which was going to cost upwards of $100,000 (a lot of money in 1983) so that she could be with us. Having been shown a portion of the film and knowing how hard she had worked for years making what Roz and I agreed would be her masterpiece, we made the decision to go back to Barbra and INSIST that she concentrate on her movie and not assemble a new post production team and schedule just for our wedding. Although Roz and I are no longer married, we remain good friends. As far as Barbra, I will never forget how warmly Barbra treated us as a couple and what an amazingly generous, kind and selfless person she was to me.

On the day of our wedding, she was calling every few hours to make sure things were perfect for us and had her assistants taking photos of us so that they could be shipped to London overnight so she could see them immediately. When I think of Barbra, the thing that comes to mind is that every time I ever spent time with her, she never talked about herself. She seemed so interested in every detail of my life and made me feel that everything I told her fascinated her. Since I was in my early 2Os at the time, I hardly believe that what I had to say was so interesting. But I do believe that she went out of her way to make sure that I felt accepted and cared about. She was a great sister-in-law."

"Barbra: The Way She Is" isn't a biography so much as a 412-page National Enquirer story, offering more gossip than insight on its subject. The author and his editors don't even bother to check simple facts like who directed "Patton" and what was Jack Nicholson's debut movie, calling into question other assertions Christopher Anderson makes in his book, like all but claiming Streisand had affairs with Bill Clinton and Prince Charles. I'll admit I couldn't put the book down, but when I was done I wished I'd spent my time reading something else.

Goodness we all have things about us that aren't pretty to look at. However this book doesn't seem to be able to see anything but the flaws. I have heard for years that Ms. Streisand can be difficult and sometimes down right outrageous. Maybe there is some truth to these legends. WHO CARES....We don't have to get into bed with her every night, we aren't being directed by her in a film, and we certainly are not people like her sister or her son that really know her. I personally am glad she is a perfectionist. Look at the work that she produces. The only thing I care about as a fan is being entertained. Ms. Streisand certainly does her job in that department. Yes it is true this book is cruel and Ms. Streisand deserves better. She knows it's not a good book. That's why she isn't wasting time on her website to refute the book. She said,"Maybe it's finally time for an AUTHORIZED biography". Keep your fingers crossed. Maybe if we are lucky she will write her own autobiography. I gave this book 2 stars because I liked the pictures. But, I'm not by any means supporting it.

I read the reviews of those who say that "Barbra- The Way She Is" is trashing her as a person and a performer.I wonder if they have really read the book with an open-mind?

I love Ms. Streisand's voice but I have also heard and read how difficult a person she is to work with in movies and on the stage. I also have heard comments made by Ms. Streisand that made me not like her, especially when she comments on what the average person should be doing for the environment. I really would like her to come and live where I do, and the way I live to see that she does not understand the average person. But does that mean that she is being "trashed" because the truth is being laid out for all to read? I think not.

In fact as I read the book, it made me appreciate how much Ms. Streisand knew herself to demand what she wanted from others working with her,and herself. She has the chutzbah to be what she is no matter what others say about her. In a day when working hard is not the rule of order in society, I believe that this book really gives you insight into why and how Ms. Streisand saw her own vision and strived to attain it inspite of those who would "trash" her hopes and dreams.

My hat is off to Mr. Andersen for giving us a book that has so many references, but also lets the reader decide for themselves how they want to see Ms. Streisand. For me it has been truely a revelation and an inspiration to see Ms. Streisand in different light inspite of what I have felt before.

Mr. Andersen always lets the reader decide how you want to view the actor, actress, politician, etc. that he writes about. To say that he "trashes" them, is to put a spin on his books that are not there. The book "Barbra- The Way She Is" is another of Mr. Andersen successes that lets the reader decide.

Celebrity biography specialist Christopher Andersen would seem to have a ripe subject in multi-hyphenated conglomerate Barbra Streisand, but the problem with his latest book is that he mistakes titillating gossip for insight. The result hardly rises above the level of a series of tabloid-level columns that appear to have a subtext based on insinuation and rumor. It's the same Pearl Harbor-like approach he took with Hillary Rodham Clinton, a similarly polarizing figure in 2004's "American Evita". That's a shame since Streisand's meteoric rise to legendary status is likely a fascinating journey if told fairly, one that mixes a staggering talent with a striking, often monomaniacal perseverance.

Her detractors, the ones who charge her with megalomania and excessive vanity, have been around almost as long as she has, which is nearly half a century in the limelight. Just as adamant are her fans, who continue to defend her as a victim of rampant sexism in an industry intimidated by powerful women. The truth obviously lies somewhere between these perspectives. The one thing Andersen does well in the book is detail Streisand's perfectionism, a trait that has alienated others as she meticulously and often mercilessly seeks to realize her visions, whether artistic or purely personal. In fact, he opens the book with a blow-by-blow description of her anal-retentive belligerence before and during her elaborate, celebrity-saturated 1997 wedding to James Brolin on her Malibu estate. I suppose Andersen wants us to be appalled by her diva behavior, but frankly I would have expected nothing less from her on such a highly personal day. It's understandable why she elicits such extreme behavior, but Andersen seems to prefer the biased recollections of former colleagues who have felt slighted by her.

The author's other preoccupation is speculating on an apparently voracious romantic life with a number of high-profile men, most already known but a few surprises. What he seems to miss is that for the most part, these were powerful men in their fields and clearly there were mutual personal and economic benefits in being linked with a bankable personality. Andersen seems to enjoy innuendo, such as his veiled attempts to link Streisand more than platonically with Prince Charles and Bill Clinton. The problem with this type of gossip-based reportage is that we are missing the subject's perspective no matter how hard Andersen tries to piece one together. Aside from the purported bedroom liaisons, there is little that is new here. Her obsession with having complete control on her projects, her fatherless childhood, her denigrating mother, her fear of live performing, her political activism - have all been well documented for years and often by Streisand herself.

Even Andersen's liberal obsession with her personal life is not as criminal as his rather bland, episodic approach to her professional life. He seems merely to collect events in a by-the-numbers fashion and ultimately makes her astounding accomplishments little more than a chronological checklist. I understand Streisand has been at work on her autobiography for years, and I frankly don't expect her book to be any less biased as she can be guilty of selective memory. However, in the meantime, I think Andersen's biography will hardly satisfy anyone because he is incapable of finding the right tone and balance here. That's unfortunate since we end up knowing next to nothing of the psyche behind the amazing talent and idiosyncratic behavior.

I have been a Streisand fan from the time I was six and watching her in her first television special "My Name Is Barbra." I followed her from various television guest appearances on "What's My Line" and "The Judy Garland Show" to the silver screen. I remember when I used to go to the theatre for Saturday matinees with my friend whose father was a film projectionist, and first seeing the trailer for "Funny Girl" as well as the 1/2 hour behind the scenes footage of the film that currently appears on the DVD.

Over the years I've watched her films, read her interviews and watched them on TV. I witnessed her transformation from a kooky kid to a ground-breaking artist and performer. I've listened to all of her music and followed her journey from standards to rock, experimental to showtunes and back again. And I have loved it all! I still can listen to an early piece of music and find it as meaningful as the first time I heard it. In addition, I enjoy listening to her recent CD's and admire how she's developed as an artist and philosopher. I am equally in awe of her many contributions to humanity through her social and political activism.

Barbra Streisand has never really fit into one mold. Though from a distance it may appear to be so. Her body of work is broad and has great depth.

I can honestly say that the author is not a fan and this book is not meant for anyone who is. It captures none of the wonder, drive, or spirit of Barbra; let alone being able to expore the fascination she sparks or the spell she can weave on a bad day with just a few bars of a wonderful song to make it all not matter.

If the intent of this book is to turn people against Barbra, it can only do that to those who do not have a relationship with her, through her work, in the first place. Anyone who is aware of the integrity with which Barbra lives and works will not be swayed. It's simply too bad that the author's talent and integrity are in such contrast from that of Streisand. A great biography is definitely in order; but unfortunately, this is not it.

Going against advice from some friends, I decided to buy this book. I wish I hadn't. I have learned nothing new about its subject, Barbra Streisand. I did learn something new about its author, Mr.Anderson: he must be unable to separate truth from fiction, truth from vicious lies, truth from horrible, unsubstantiated rumours, because reading his book is like plowing through issue after issue of the National Enquirer.
It's a shame books like this get published and read. i do hope people are able to see through the lies.
Barbra Streisand deserves better.
And so do the readers of this publication.
SK

I wish I had spent my money on something better written. It amazes me that this can get published yet so many other authors complain about the lack of opportunity. But I was stupid enough to buy it so I guess that is my answer. Save your money or donate it to a worthy cause.

O.K. Can't read all of these rediculous reviews without telling people to "WAKE UP". Yeah, I agree the book is poorly written and in many ways a real "sleeper".
Obviously the whole sale of the book is the laundry list of famous bed partners.(oh brother, how original). Nice to know that she only settled for what she thought was the best. Thank God I borrowed...NEVER would have purchased.
I am sure that much of the character "defects" are real and nothing new we have not heard about her. She is very talented don't get me wrong, but, I have never been a great fan of her movies, acting, directing or producing. I share the same thought of her that Walter Mathau voiced in the book..."who in the hell does she think she is?!" If she indeed has "stage-fright" my guess would be that over the years she has used it to her egotistical advantage and teases with an appearance when the "fundraising" mood strikes her.....yuck! We are not all that blind.....hence the manifested manufactured mystique she has created. She is a VERY talented (and smart) person but not God. By the end of the book you are not quite sure if you should feel sorry for her...(poor Babs,duh!)or dislike her. Let me guess.....she likes ALL attention?! 2-year-old tantrums themselves are usually a performance of some kind.

I gave the book three stars not for how badly it is written or the unoriginal ideas etc, but if I get what I feel are true glimpses of the person being depicted in the bio, then I think the author has done at least part of the job.