My biggest complaint is that Mr. Riese steps into the shoes of Streisand more often than he should. The research is good, but only as good as the people he has interviewed (the majority of whom hold a grudge against Streisand). There are statements in the book in which he actually tells us her thoughts, this is not only arrogant on his behalf, but unfair. I think he takes too much creative license. Good attempt though.

Though not perfect, this is Streisand's best biography for three reasons (1) it is well researched, (2) the author is not in awe of Streisand and avoids writing a tribute, and (3) it is interesting from beginning to end.

There is a huge void when it comes to musical studies or analyses on Streisand. Having been fascinated all my life with Streisand's voice, but having no formal musical training, I didn't think twice about spending $50 on The Barbra Streisand Companion.

It didn't take more than a day to realize this book is not what I expected. For starters, the book is comprised of 6 chapters, 3 appendices, and a reference bibliography. Of all these 256 pages, only 4 chapters (122 pages) are presented as musical analyses. Chapter 1 is devoted to biographical material (as if we need another biography) and includes details such as:

-Barbra was named to the International Best Dressed List in 1965;

-Barbra was snubbed by the Oscars;

-Barbra has a hobby of buying and redecorating houses; and

-Barbra has Christie's auctions to sell her belongings.

Honestly, I do not know how the author feels these details contribute to a musical study of Miss Streisand. After the biography, the author categorizes Barbra's lengthy career into four time periods (hence, the four chapters mentioned earlier) and begins her "analytical sections".

Are you familiar with My Fair Lady? If you are reading this, you probably are. In that movie, Henry Higgins is a professor who studies language and enunciation. I was reminded of him as I read the following in the Companion:

"Careful study...illuminates the diversity of her palette as related to diction. Words ending in er are sung as though spelled uh or ah...vowel combinations...are almost chewed...."

This kind of analyses in repeated over and over (and over) in this book. The quote above was made in reference to The Barbra Streisand Album. However, in the discussion of this album, there is no reference to Barbra's vocal range (highest note, lowest note), the key she is singing on, or how well she is singing in tune. Other than diction, the author does touch on some of the musical influences noted, song types (she lumps all Barbra's early years into 4 categories), and descriptions of how certain songs are played out. However, these descriptions are rarely useful, and quite honestly, not anything the reader doesn't already know. For example, "this ... arrangement begins with Barbra and plucked string bass. Shortly, strings and brass and a rhythm section join...". Honestly, most Streisand fans could have easily written this.

When reading the Preface, I noticed it started with a Streisand quote, "...excellence is in the details." Which is why I was very surprised when I came across a number of factual errors in the discography, For example:

-p. 196. "Barbra and Neil received a Grammy...for their recording." (No, they did not.)

-p. 200. "The score [Yentl]...is rated multi-platinum in sales" (No, it is only platinum.)

-p. 210. "Nolte won in the category of Best Actor." (Again--No. Nolte did not win an Oscar for The Prince of Tides.)

In short, this book provides some new, unique material in the area of musical analyses, but for the most part, has little the average Streisand fan doesn't already know. However, if you are Professor Higgins (and I truly hope he only exists in My Fair Lady), this is the one Streisand book you must have.

Not your usual Barbra bio, but add it to your collection.

Thought it was a book on the concert,especially when said was written by Streisand-it was sheet music-and she did not write the songs

This book is a must have for anyone looking for a PIANO BOOK of Barbra Streisand's Greatest Songs! The Yentyl Medley is Great! Anyone looking for a ONE book with all of Barbra's Best songs in it, this is it!

Barbra Streisand is an interesting subject, and any book on her is inherently interesting. Unfortunately, though David Bret's book is well-written, it is filled with inaccuracies, myths, and wrong information. The book appropriately is filled with his opinions of her work, which are often quirky. Who would agree that her recent album "A Love Like Ours" is one of her shining moments? And he spends far too much time grumbling about her French pronunciations on "Je m'Appelle Barbra"--a beautiful album from which few listeners will be offended by Streisand's French (he must be British). There are good photos here, and the discography is useful, if again filled with inaccuracies. Hard to know if this was a product of the author, or just bad editing.

This is the E-Z Play version of the "Back to Broadway" folio.

The traditional version (Piano/Vocal) is also called "Barbra: Back to Broadway" (ISBN: 0895248069). That edition costs a few dollars more.

After so many books about Streisand, it takes an entirely new perspective on her life and career to make a new one interesting to a fan of hers. This book is simply a rehashing of the same old stories and anecdotes, and frankly not very well written compared to many of the other available titles on Barbra.

Reverse chronology...barely readable text. So many other books have covered her life better. This is a woman whose life demands context and interpretation...not just repeating every single news story ever printed in the Los Angeles Times.

this is great. i love the way it focuses on her life in acting as well as singing. it's very fascinating about the struggle she had to go through to be in funny girl on screen and the parts about walter matteau is great too! a must for those who love barbra.

I ordered what I thought was a paperback, and what I received was sheet music! I admire Barbra for what she has accomplished in her life. I would have liked to have read the book, for which I assumed was titled after her concert One Voice, which was amazing.