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Streisand Book Importance of Being Barbra Released 6/22

A new book on theatre, film and music legend Barbra Streiand will hit shelves on June 22nd.

Written by Tom Santopietro, The Importance of Being Barbra will be published by Thomas Dunne Books. "From her first talent contest at age 18 to her most recent album in 2005, The Importance of Being Barbra chronicles every moment of Streisand's career, marking the roles and songs that have brought accolades in every field. With a captivating style and encyclopedic expertise, author Tom Santopietro celebrates her many career highlights in film, theater, music and even politics without ignoring her mistakes," state notes on the book.

"Santopietro follows Streisand's career successes as she tied screen great Katherine Hepburn for Best Actress at the 1968 Oscars and developed a one-on-one working relationship with composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim; he also looks at her missteps from her miscast role in Hello, Dolly! to releasing a seemingly uninspired album in 1999. Santopietro creates a balanced look by expressing doubt when he felt Streisand did not challenge herself as an artist, and offering praise to the great entertainer for singing with emotion and 'from the very core of her being.'

The Importance of Being Barbra is divided into chapters on: Recordings, Film, Television, Concerts, Theater, and Politics. Before presenting a Career Scorecard, the book also includes a chapter on what Streisand has been up to as of late. Critical of her role in Meet the Fockers but optimistic about the future her talents hold, Santopietro melds the highs with the lows in an admirable tribute to America's greatest living diva."

A star for over four decades, Streisand received Tony nominations for her Broadway debut I Can Get It For You Wholesale and for her star-making turn as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl (she would receive a Star of the Decade, Hall of Fame Tony in 1970). Streisand would go on to recreate the role on film for a 1969 Oscar (she tied with Katharine Hepburn that year). She was also nominated for her performance in The Way We Were . She received another Oscar for co-writing "Evergreen" for A Star is Born and was similarly nominated for "I Finally Found Someone" from The Mirror Has Two Faces. Other film credits include Hello, Dolly!, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever, What's Up, Doc?, Funny Lady, Nuts and Yentl. She has also produced several of her movies.

The winner of multiple Grammy Awards, Streisand has sold many millions of records, with 49 of them gold, 30 platinum and 18 multi-platinum, according to her website. She is also the only artist to have Billboard #1 albums spanning four decades--the '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s. Her many albums include "Guilty," "Duets," "Higher Ground," "Memories," "Lazy Afternoon," "The Broadway Album" and "The Movie Album." In addition to her Tony, Oscars and Grammys, Streisand has won five Emmys, eight Golden Globes, two ASCAP Film and Television Awards, as well as the American Film Institute Award.

A 5-DVD "Barbra Streisand: The Television Specials" set--featuring "My Name is Barbra," "Color Me Barbra," "A Happening in Central Park," "Belle of Fourteenth Street," and "Barbra Streisand...and Other Musical Instruments"--was released last year.

The Importance of Being Barbra is set a list price of $22.95. It can be pre-ordered on Amazon.com for $14.92.