My Name Is Barbra by Barbra Streisand Summary

My Name Is Barbra chronicles Barbra Streisand’s journey from a Brooklyn childhood to becoming an EGOT-winning icon, blending personal struggles (like her fraught relationship with her mother and early father loss) with professional milestones in music, film, and directing. The memoir delves into her perfectionism, creative control, and challenges as a woman in entertainment, spanning 970 pages of candid reflections.

Fans of Streisand, aspiring artists, and readers interested in Hollywood history will appreciate this memoir. It offers behind-the-scenes insights into her films, albums (like Guilty with Barry Gibb), and advocacy for women’s rights, delivered with unfiltered honesty about fame and resilience.

Yes—its length (992 pages) is balanced by rich storytelling, including rare photos, career anecdotes, and Streisand’s witty voice. A New York Times bestseller, it addresses misogyny she faced and her artistic process, making it essential for understanding her legacy.

Streisand openly discusses her drive for control, defending it as necessary for artistic integrity. She contrasts her experiences with male counterparts, noting how her assertiveness was labeled “difficult” in a sexist industry. The book highlights collaborations with those who shared her dedication, like director William Wyler.

Streisand describes her mother’s emotional neglect, quoting her: “I didn’t have time to hug you.” This dynamic fueled her ambition to seek approval through performance, a theme central to her identity and career choices.

The book details her iconic style evolution, from Funny Girl costumes to 1980s power suits. These passages spurred a dedicated fashion interview, underscoring her influence as a trendsetter who blended glamour with authenticity.

Streisand critiques gender bias, recalling how she was mocked for directing Yentl while male peers were praised. She ties this to broader industry sexism, citing her role in presenting Kathryn Bigelow’s historic Best Director Oscar.

• “I became a movie star, even though I didn’t fit the conventional image...” reflects her defiance of beauty standards.
• “No wonder I wanted to become an actress... to escape myself” reveals how art became an emotional refuge.

Praised for its depth and vulnerability, some critics found its length excessive. Streisand defends this as necessary to “set the record straight,” addressing decades of media myths and celebrating her meticulous craft.

Streisand narrates it with ad-libs absent from the text, creating an intimate, conversational tone. It won Audiobook of the Year (2025 Audie Awards) and earned a Grammy nomination.

The memoir resonates with contemporary discussions about gender equality and artistic autonomy. Streisand’s ongoing activism and reflections on aging (“I’m still a work in progress”) keep her story timely.

It stands out for its scope (six decades in entertainment) and Streisand’s hands-on storytelling. Unlike shorter memoirs, it combines career retrospectives with unflinching personal history, akin to memoirs by Tina Turner or Elton John in depth.