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8th out of 64 books
—
77 voters
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks & Win Your Inner Creative Battles
by
Steven Pressfield (Goodreads Author)
The Art of War meets "The Artist's Way" in this no-nonsense, profoundly inspiring guide to overcoming creative blocks of every kind.
Paperback, 168 pages
Published
April 1st 2003
by Grand Central Publishing
(first published June 1st 2002)
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Holden Caulfield would love this, as would Ernest Hemingway. HC had it in for the phonies, and Pressfield has no use for them, either. Only he's met the enemy and it is himself. And you, gentle reader, need only a mirror to find your enemy. Pressfield calls it "Resistance," and it lurks in all of us. What's more, it's every excuse you can possibly think of to delay doing what the Muse put you on this earth to do: procrastination, rationalizations, physical sicknesses, psychological conditions wi...more
7 likes · like · see review
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I couldn't get into this book. I've read and reread it several times, but it just doesn't do it for me. I gave it the second star because he does give some good advice about committing to the work, and staying in the seat. Some good bits about discipline and such.
I have about 13 years of collegiate and graduate art school under my belt, and I've worked in the fine and commercial arts. Thing is, I hate seeing the challenge of making art turn into this romanticized, epic battle between the poor pu...more
I have about 13 years of collegiate and graduate art school under my belt, and I've worked in the fine and commercial arts. Thing is, I hate seeing the challenge of making art turn into this romanticized, epic battle between the poor pu...more
21 likes · like · see review
An early chapter just grabbed me with this opening line, "Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance." Those sentences grabbed me and have stayed with me. How much do I resist? How do I resist? Why do I resist? The reflection that chapter inspired was well worth reading the rest of the book though nothing else was as revolutionary for me-- I got what I needed early in the pages. There's also a fabulous quote from WH Murray later...more
I like to have a writing book around to dip into when I get stuck or frustrated or just to keep me going.
This one started out with some interesting ideas, but it ended up not being very supportive. A little bullying, in fact.
Toward the end, it's a lot of religious pronouncements and philosophy that I didn't agree with or find very helpful. It felt a bit rigid.
This one started out with some interesting ideas, but it ended up not being very supportive. A little bullying, in fact.
Toward the end, it's a lot of religious pronouncements and philosophy that I didn't agree with or find very helpful. It felt a bit rigid.
this book is basically a self-help book about confronting procrastination. pressfield begins by distinguising the behavior of an amateur from a professional artist. he believes that to be human is to be an artist and that we procrastinate because we're afraid of achieving our full potential because to do so is very hard and requires much failure. also, he references tiger woods and arnold schwarzenegger a lot.
much of what he says feels truthful; however i immediately become suspicious of a book...more
much of what he says feels truthful; however i immediately become suspicious of a book...more
6 likes · like · see review
This book is both practical and spiritual in nature.
I really enjoy the first two thirds but I think that the author may lose his most conservative audience to the last third as his spiritual influence has so much imagery attached to it that is counter intuitive to western religion.
Growing up around Christian fundamentalism (which he properly criticizes), I have had to fight the inner battle myself and it takes years to get that nonsense truly out of your head so you can work. I wish that the “W...more
I really enjoy the first two thirds but I think that the author may lose his most conservative audience to the last third as his spiritual influence has so much imagery attached to it that is counter intuitive to western religion.
Growing up around Christian fundamentalism (which he properly criticizes), I have had to fight the inner battle myself and it takes years to get that nonsense truly out of your head so you can work. I wish that the “W...more
4 likes · like · see review
Hello, my name is Makeba and it has been 22 days since I've thought about writing and decided to do something else instead. I write everyday, and this book helped me do it.
"The War of Art" made me feel bad about my relationship with the creative process. She would invite me out and I'd decide to wash my hair instead. He would call and I'd push the button that sent it straight to voicemail. I was a lousy friend. Illuminating what Pressfield defines as resistance and turning pro turned the tables...more
"The War of Art" made me feel bad about my relationship with the creative process. She would invite me out and I'd decide to wash my hair instead. He would call and I'd push the button that sent it straight to voicemail. I was a lousy friend. Illuminating what Pressfield defines as resistance and turning pro turned the tables...more
10 likes · like · see review
How creative of a person are you? "They" say the more creative you are, the more sensitive you are. Which can mean that you don't want to get out of you bed some days, or that you have the ability to procrastinate greatly, or that you want to destroy every piece of work that you have ever created because it's crap and you'll never be as crazy as Vincent van Gogh or as cool as Michaelangelo.
Well, this book gives you tools to help you overcome all your short comings and own up to your potential as...more
Well, this book gives you tools to help you overcome all your short comings and own up to your potential as...more
Two positive stars. It was okay. Maybe I've read too many books about writing. This is one of those paragraph-a-page books with quips about writing and overcoming what stands between you and getting it done. But I didn't find those pages all that inspiring or motivating and I kept wishing for funny photographs above each paragraph to help me turn the pages. It's one of those books that would benefit from polar bears and grasshoppers sitting at typewriters or somehow illustrating the text in a hu...more
If you struggle with procrastination, especially as an artist of any type, this book is for you. Pressfield divides his teachings on and against what he terms "resistance" into three books; the definition, the steps to absolving, and the resolution of resistance. Writers will find this book to be a call to arms in the battle against self-doubt and depression regarding the finished product. A fast read, "The War of Art" is a benefit to anyone lacking the confidence to participate and succeed in h...more
Steven Pressfield gives a great definition of a hack. It’s a writer who writes what the market is looking for instead of what is in his heart. Full disclosure: in my former life, I was a hack. It’s a legitimate career, but now that I have an opportunity to search my heart and see what’s there, I’m not going to give it up easily. It’s my bad if I fall victim to writing for rewards.
Pressfield suggests an image that I am running with. Picture yourself looking through a dark glass, one palm placed o...more
Pressfield suggests an image that I am running with. Picture yourself looking through a dark glass, one palm placed o...more
I wasn't really sure what to expect when I read this quick read of a book. On the one hand, I appreciated the brevity and the candor, and on the other, the self-righteous overtones were alienating and borderline dictatorial. I don't underestimate the work ethic and writing talent of Mr. Pressfield; however, if you are looking for practical approaches to consistently battling your bouts of procrastination and creative blocks without sacrificing the relationships that matter most in life (aka real...more
Feb 11, 2013
Rachel
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
artists and anyone with a calling
Recommended to Rachel by:
my aunt - an artist
FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC! This is a must-read by any one interested in doing ANYTHING other than the average with their life. He focuses a lot on writing, but it clearly applies to anything you are called to do in your life, but seem unable to get yourself to do it.
I have been working on-and-off on my 1st book for 5 years. I have had so much resistance to sitting down and writing, even though I love writing my blog pieces. Within pages, Pressfield clearly spell out the trouble, and just by recognizin...more
I have been working on-and-off on my 1st book for 5 years. I have had so much resistance to sitting down and writing, even though I love writing my blog pieces. Within pages, Pressfield clearly spell out the trouble, and just by recognizin...more
A great read for anyone with creative callings, artistic aspirations or long-shelved projects indefinitely placed on "pause", this book will inspire you to action.
Pressfield targets intangible but ever-present "Resistance" as the key element that threatens to cripple any creative endeavor at every stage of the process, most notably and fiercely near its completion. It's not a "magic pill" type book, not flawless, and you'll likely not agree on everything discussed; but you will find far more poi...more
Pressfield targets intangible but ever-present "Resistance" as the key element that threatens to cripple any creative endeavor at every stage of the process, most notably and fiercely near its completion. It's not a "magic pill" type book, not flawless, and you'll likely not agree on everything discussed; but you will find far more poi...more
I bought this book, at a time when I was struggling with ' can I write a book'. I found the sense of humour in this book, though I am sure it was NOT meant to be funny. It highlighted all the reasons why we resist doing things, writing a book as an example.
This book focuses on our resistance to anything we decide in our heads, that we would like to do, but have a fear of doing. It is a no-nonsense attack on our psychological attitudes, to how how we feel, affecting what we do.
It is very ' matt...more
This book focuses on our resistance to anything we decide in our heads, that we would like to do, but have a fear of doing. It is a no-nonsense attack on our psychological attitudes, to how how we feel, affecting what we do.
It is very ' matt...more
Ever wonder what's holding you back, holding you down, holding you under? It's "the Resistance" - a force for mediocrity coiled around the human spirit. In THE WAR OF ART Steven Pressfield hunts down the predatory monster that scares us away from our best selves, puts that beast in the crosshairs, and aims for its heart. Now YOU have to pull the trigger.
Written from his vantage point as a novelist/screenwriter, this semi-autobiography is a fascinating and entertaining book of success, expressed...more
Written from his vantage point as a novelist/screenwriter, this semi-autobiography is a fascinating and entertaining book of success, expressed...more
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The first couple of sections are about 'resistance' to your art (in this case writing, buy equally could be applied to any art, or any occupation), what forms the resistance manifests itself and what you can do about it.
The book is very easy to digest, straight forward, short and filled with (mostly) practical tips to get you from the stage of thinking about writing your opus (and planning on starting it tomorrow) to actually just getting on with it. Essentially the advice is 'be professional'...more
The book is very easy to digest, straight forward, short and filled with (mostly) practical tips to get you from the stage of thinking about writing your opus (and planning on starting it tomorrow) to actually just getting on with it. Essentially the advice is 'be professional'...more
Like the recent related book, Turning Pro, Steven Pressfield’s 2002 classic, The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles, is a kick in the butt for writers and other creative types. I read Turning Pro recently and liked its message so much I had to check out The War of Art.
A wordplay on the ancient military treatise, The Art of War, Pressfield's book likens an individual’s approach to the craft to an inner battle. The enemy is Resistance and two-thirds of the boo...more
A wordplay on the ancient military treatise, The Art of War, Pressfield's book likens an individual’s approach to the craft to an inner battle. The enemy is Resistance and two-thirds of the boo...more
This book is all about how to fight Resistance -- that evil thing that keeps us from doing what we love or finding our calling. It's relayed in a motivating way. This part grabbed me, early:
"Look in your own heart. Unless I'm crazy, right now a still small voice is piping up, telling you as it has ten thousand times, the calling that is yours and yours alone. You know it. No one has to tell you. And unless I'm crazy, you're no closer to taking action on it than you were yesterday or will be tomo...more
"Look in your own heart. Unless I'm crazy, right now a still small voice is piping up, telling you as it has ten thousand times, the calling that is yours and yours alone. You know it. No one has to tell you. And unless I'm crazy, you're no closer to taking action on it than you were yesterday or will be tomo...more
I read this book over and over again as necessary. It is the kick in the ass every artist needs, sometimes daily. Because we all face the same enemy, fight the same battle every day: Resistance. According to Pressman, this is the whole story. Every day you either win or lose your battle with resistance. All the rest is talk. Why you lost it doesn't matter. Maybe your mother didn't love you enough. Maybe you don't believe in yourself enough. Maybe you think you're not as talented as you wish you...more
“Don’t the best of them bleed it out/ While the rest of them peter out?” – Foo Fighters “My Hero”
A while back I was watching a documentary about the grunge band Nirvana. Towards the end of the film, a music journalist was comparing Kurt Cobain to Dave Grohl and said, “If Kurt Cobain is the artist, Dave Grohl is the craftsman.”
This kept coming to mind when reading “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield. Cobain was the tormented artist, who couldn’t handle the stresses of his own success. Grohl st...more
A while back I was watching a documentary about the grunge band Nirvana. Towards the end of the film, a music journalist was comparing Kurt Cobain to Dave Grohl and said, “If Kurt Cobain is the artist, Dave Grohl is the craftsman.”
This kept coming to mind when reading “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield. Cobain was the tormented artist, who couldn’t handle the stresses of his own success. Grohl st...more
I have a small stash of books about writing or the writing life that I keep on hand for inspiration, motivation, and to offer me role models of what I want to be when I grow up. They are the typical treasure trove: Bird by Bird (Lamott), On Writing (Stephen King), Writing Life (Dillard) and a few random others.
I'm glad I read "The War of Art" and feel like it was wonderfully inspirational, a cheerleader for what I'm choosing in life. However, not sure I will buy the book and add it to my trove....more
I'm glad I read "The War of Art" and feel like it was wonderfully inspirational, a cheerleader for what I'm choosing in life. However, not sure I will buy the book and add it to my trove....more
This book was helpful to me in that it forced me to think critically about creativity. In thinking about what's stopping me from following through on my creative projects, I found myself back in front of the computer screen, wrestling to complete my first book. The methaphor of comparing creative work to the way of a warrior or engaging in warfare worked for me because this is how it feels as I sneak past self doubt and fear to rescue the words and stories from behind enemy lines. A bit poetic m...more
This book is required reading for all creative people. It wasn't what I was expecting-- Pressfield surprises us with a different take on creativity and Resistance.
This was useful, informative, and inspirational. By telling us how war is constantly waged on our creativity by Resistance, the author explains what it is, and why it's always trying to keep us from doing what we are meant to do. Yes, we are in a war, and we lose most days.
I feel much better about myself and how I approach my creative...more
This was useful, informative, and inspirational. By telling us how war is constantly waged on our creativity by Resistance, the author explains what it is, and why it's always trying to keep us from doing what we are meant to do. Yes, we are in a war, and we lose most days.
I feel much better about myself and how I approach my creative...more
Steven Pressfield has a distinct voice and throughout The War of Art, he is not afraid to use it. Interspersing personal memoirs with philosophical and psychological ideas, Mr. Pressfield offers an explanation into the forces that can start and stall not only a writer, but the overall Artists of the world. His use of quotes from Wordsworth, to Goethe, to Homer alone act as inspiration to the Artist but also complement Pressfield's work as a whole.
You can read this book as a daily golden nugget t...more
You can read this book as a daily golden nugget t...more
Whatever your current project is, if you love the act of creating works of art, from paintings to musical compositions, from poetry to an epic novel, then The War of Art is a book that you will need to -- or at least probably should -- read every year or so. It deals with the curse that is procrastination, as seen through the eyes of a writer, appealing to and empathising with artists in general; their struggle to engage with their muse, achieve their flow, elevate their spirit!
The style is lig...more
The style is lig...more
One of the useful, profound books of my reading lifetime. I pull it out periodically just for the messages, the style, and the layout. Some readers apparently thought they didn't get their money's worth because the book is slim, and some pages contain only a paragraph or two. However, I've been an award-winning writer and newspaper editor for decades, and have just the opposite reaction. Believe me, it's much harder to write succinctly and effectively, and lay it out in such a way that each page...more
Mar 24, 2012
John Sutton
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Humanity
Recommended to John by:
Daniel Kino
Shelves:
kindle
I rambled in this review... So copy/pasting my conclusion here to save you some time.
"Give it a read - it's so short, so inexpensive, and has enough rays of genuine inspired thought that you really can't go wrong." - myself
-
I read this after hearing it as recommended reading from a comedian or two. It is in the wheelhouse of those who write, and I suspect particularly those who are grinding to find a place with their art or craft.
I struggle with rating this for the following reasons...
It essenti...more
"Give it a read - it's so short, so inexpensive, and has enough rays of genuine inspired thought that you really can't go wrong." - myself
-
I read this after hearing it as recommended reading from a comedian or two. It is in the wheelhouse of those who write, and I suspect particularly those who are grinding to find a place with their art or craft.
I struggle with rating this for the following reasons...
It essenti...more
This book is easy to read. You could finish it in an hour. Some of you, thirty minutes. It's like a brand new medicine with an Easy-Swallow coating.
And medicine it is. This book WILL jump-start you. It won't give you the gas you need, or show you the road to take, or turn the wheel for you, but it will get your motor running. All that other stuff, it points out, you have to do.
Pressfield is quite concise, and he has a plan for the book, and he fullfills it almost flawlessly and with very little...more
And medicine it is. This book WILL jump-start you. It won't give you the gas you need, or show you the road to take, or turn the wheel for you, but it will get your motor running. All that other stuff, it points out, you have to do.
Pressfield is quite concise, and he has a plan for the book, and he fullfills it almost flawlessly and with very little...more
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I was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 1943 to a Navy father and mother.
I graduated from Duke University in 1965.
In January of 1966, when I was on the bus leaving Parris Island as a freshly-minted Marine, I looked back and thought there was at least one good thing about this departure. "No matter what happens to me for the rest of my life, no one can ever send me back to this freakin' place a...more
More about Steven Pressfield...
I graduated from Duke University in 1965.
In January of 1966, when I was on the bus leaving Parris Island as a freshly-minted Marine, I looked back and thought there was at least one good thing about this departure. "No matter what happens to me for the rest of my life, no one can ever send me back to this freakin' place a...more
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“If you find yourself asking yourself (and your friends), "Am I really a writer? Am I really an artist?" chances are you are. The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death.”
—
121 people liked it
“The Principle of Priority states (a) you must know the difference between what is urgent and what is important, and (b) you must do what’s important first.”
—
35 people liked it
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