Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Uncover the Intimate Story of a True Entertainment Titan
My Name Is Barbra is an autobiographical memoir by Barbra Streisand, where she shares her remarkable journey in music, film, and stage, providing a personal look at her celebrated career and life experiences.
It’s hard to believe it all these years – and albums – later, but Streisand never set out to have a music career. Instead, she wanted to be an actress, and still vividly recalls standing on the seat at her first cinema outing as a child so she could see the screen better.
Yet, as the 18-year-old walked to her vocal audition at the Bon Soir, the Greenwich Village nightclub that ultimately put her on the map, she remembers thinking, “This night could change my life.” Streisand’s premonition would prove to be accurate. She was hired for the initial two-week contract – and performed to great acclaim.
It didn’t take long before Streisand became the talk of the town, and soon after turning 20, she signed an unprecedented deal with Columbia Records. Marty Erlichman, Streisand’s career-long manager, knew his client well and negotiated a contract in which Streisand would get a smaller fee upfront in exchange for something the young singer regarded as infinitely more valuable: full creative control. Not that Streisand would need to be concerned with finances. Today, she’s the first and only singer to have albums chart at number one over six consecutive decades.
Despite singing not being her original dream, Streisand came to find a deep appreciation for it. Unlike acting, where she quickly became bored once the cast had moved from rehearsal to performance and her playing had to remain consistent, Streisand was free to improvise with abandon in her “own show,” as she came to view her sets at nightclubs and sessions in the studio.
Sixty years and ten Grammy Awards later, it’s startling to consider that one of our most prolific performers has only had half a singing lesson, can’t read music, and doesn’t warm up or practice. Streisand admits she doesn’t fully understand her gift either, and her attempts to put her experience into words don’t offer us much in the way of concrete advice. She sees notes of dazzling lengths as a “matter of will” and compelling composition as simply a matter of surrendering to, in her words, the “certain inevitability of the notes.”
As such, one can’t help but wonder: Is brute-force or bashert behind Streisand’s almost unparalleled success as a recording artist? With Streisand, it doesn’t seem to be either/or. Tenacity and talent are always inextricably in concert.
My Name Is Barbra (2023) is an intimate and inspiring memoir from one of the entertainment industry’s most enduring icons. Candid and exhaustive, it traces Streisand’s journey from her challenging childhood in working-class Brooklyn to her status as the groundbreaking cultural legend she is today.
My Name Is Barbra (Streisand, 1973) is an intimate memoir that takes readers on a journey through the life and career of Barbra Streisand. Here's why this book is worth reading:
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get startedBlink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
What is the main message of My Name Is Barbra?
The main message of My Name Is Barbra is an exploration of Barbra Streisand's journey as an acclaimed singer, actress, and director.
How long does it take to read My Name Is Barbra?
The reading time for My Name Is Barbra varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is My Name Is Barbra a good book? Is it worth reading?
My Name Is Barbra is worth reading as it offers a unique insight into Barbra Streisand's remarkable career and personal life.
Who is the author of My Name Is Barbra?
The author of My Name Is Barbra is Barbra Streisand.
How many chapters are in My Name Is Barbra?
There are several chapters in My Name Is Barbra. Unfortunately, the book does not have chapter titles.
How many pages are in My Name Is Barbra?
My Name Is Barbra contains a total of 320 pages.
When was My Name Is Barbra published?
My Name Is Barbra was published in 1965.