BARBRA: THE WAY SHE IS: THE WAY SHE IS

Barbra is the brand-new biography of the ultimate showbusiness diva. Born in Brooklyn in 1942, Barbra Streisand has always been unshakably determined to excel in whatever she attempts, from singing and acting to directing and producing, constantly fighting to win the often-begrudging respect of the entertainment industry. She burst onto Broadway in 1962's I Can Get It For You Wholesale , startling audiences - and earning a Tony nomination - with her boundless energy and astonishing vocal range. Her debut album won two Grammy awards in 1963. The following year she received another Tony nomination for her signature role in Funny Girl ; she later fought off stiff competition to recreate the role in the 1968 movie, earning a Best Actress Oscar in her first film appearance. In the 1980s, her film output slowed dramatically, but with Yentl in 1983 she became the first woman ever to produce, direct, write and star in a major movie. In 1963, Streisand married actor Elliott Gould; their son, Jason, was born three years later. Before she became engaged to James Brolin, now her second husband, Streisand, a staunch Democrat, was linked to Bill Clinton.

by: CHRISTOPHER ANDERSEN