Ken’s review of The War of Art > Likes and Comments
137 likes · Like
Makes me want to think about reading this book...maybe later.
Ha-ha. Great rejoinder to Pressfield! A piece de resistance!
(Although I have a sneaking suspicion that humor is a type of resistance, too....)
I feel shamed just from reading your great review, I'm afraid how actually reading the book will make me feel. I do look forward to reading this, though...
It's like a giant New Year's resolution. (And we know their track record!)
I wanted to read this book, now I have an urge to do so. Thank you sir!
Hmm. But would found the book useful, or motivating?
I had been thinking of reading it but now it sounds too much like a lecture delivered by someone self-satisfied.
I remember how the TED talk of the book Drive pretty much summed up the book, saving you the trouble. If you want, you can read this review and do the same (or NOT do the same).
I'm already aware that being a writer involves writing, as opposed to NOT writing, so I'm probably set.
It's a PEP talk, is all. Throw out your cellphone, TV, but not your computer (how else can you GR?) and write daily!
I don't have a smartphone, and my computer doesn't have sound, so no videos. Its reading or writing. Or cleaning.
The best definition of Self & Ego I have found. Clear and concise. Thank you for this great review. You have captured the essence of the book well.
I think this is one of the most accurate reviews I've seen. To add a bit to it, I will tell you exactly what I am posting as my own review:
"I've been shaking my head over some people who somehow feel victimized by this book or author. I gave it 4 stars, solely because I do not agree with all of the author's views but I am open-minded enough to understand the value of what the author divulges while utilizing his unique, manifesto-like, style. First, the author plainly states his own truth. Within that truth are very personal and often metaphysically tinged views not everyone may agree with. However, essentially, he explains the concept of resistance (in other words, the enemy of artistic productivity) he and just about everyone else is prone to succumbing to. He illustrates this sometimes in seriousness and other times, in a more humorous way by directly or indirectly scolding the reader (who's inevitably guilty of giving in to resistance) or while utilizing self-deprecation. I suppose, one can either understand this method as offensive and claim the author hates himself (read elsewhere) or admit that the author efficiently hits a nerve by blatantly pointing out his own and the readers' likely flaws, thus evoking a feeling of cognitive dissonance that has to be overcome in order to move from a state of treating art with an "amateur" mind-set to treating artistic work with the tenacity it deserves, i.e. like a "professional". Secondly, he takes facts which are referenced in the back of the book and integrates them with his personal truths. Finally, he deduces a set of necessary rules he suggests the reader follow to overcome the ever-present procrastination-causing resistance, which will hopefully result in the reader learning how to win the war of art against the "foe" of resistance.
While the style of the book is not everyone's thing because the author is definitely adamant in his views and makes no effort to sugarcoat his opinion of amateurism (he might as well call "amateurs" hypocrites or wanna-be artists), I cannot really complain about the message of the book. The author is calling out those of us who have not be consistent in our pursuit of the arts we identify with but internally or externally whine about not getting the recognition we desire (YET)! I simply take it as a call to get out of that darn comfort zone we must abandon to finally put in the necessary work, to get to a place where we find happiness and fulfillment in the PROCESS of creating itself."
Mir wrote: "I don't have a smartphone, and my computer doesn't have sound, so no videos. Its reading or writing. Or cleaning."
Gee, a little late on this reply, no? Anyway, that's very cool, Mir. Especially the endless cycle of cleaning.
A great philosophical debate lies in "To clean or not to clean?" Little did Hamlet know -- he was asking the wrong question!
Kathy wrote: "The best definition of Self & Ego I have found. Clear and concise. Thank you for this great review. You have captured the essence of the book well."
From three years in the future, a hearty thanks, Kathy!
Petra wrote: "I think this is one of the most accurate reviews I've seen. To add a bit to it, I will tell you exactly what I am posting as my own review:
"I've been shaking my head over some people who somehow ..."
Petra, I enjoyed your well thought out response to the book's critics. Thanks for taking the time to share it. Please accept my apologies for missing responses on this review. Sometimes they slip by me when RL interrupts GR life! I hope all your creative endeavors since writing this have been fruitful ones.
The words should and ought are problematic. Other than that, you write a pretty good review...almost good enough to move me to read the book.
Robby wrote: "The words should and ought are problematic. Other than that, you write a pretty good review...almost good enough to move me to read the book."
You really ought to read it, Robby, and decide for yourself! ;-)
At least, if you stop writing these entertaining reviews here, we'll know why.
Left Coast Justin wrote: "At least, if you stop writing these entertaining reviews here, we'll know why."
You mean, that I finally went to war on art instead of hanging out in this doom loop?
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Kwoomac
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Mar 19, 2013 05:48AM
Makes me want to think about reading this book...maybe later.
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Ha-ha. Great rejoinder to Pressfield! A piece de resistance!(Although I have a sneaking suspicion that humor is a type of resistance, too....)
I feel shamed just from reading your great review, I'm afraid how actually reading the book will make me feel. I do look forward to reading this, though...
It's like a giant New Year's resolution. (And we know their track record!)
I wanted to read this book, now I have an urge to do so. Thank you sir!
Hmm. But would found the book useful, or motivating?I had been thinking of reading it but now it sounds too much like a lecture delivered by someone self-satisfied.
I remember how the TED talk of the book Drive pretty much summed up the book, saving you the trouble. If you want, you can read this review and do the same (or NOT do the same).
I'm already aware that being a writer involves writing, as opposed to NOT writing, so I'm probably set.
It's a PEP talk, is all. Throw out your cellphone, TV, but not your computer (how else can you GR?) and write daily!
I don't have a smartphone, and my computer doesn't have sound, so no videos. Its reading or writing. Or cleaning.
The best definition of Self & Ego I have found. Clear and concise. Thank you for this great review. You have captured the essence of the book well.
I think this is one of the most accurate reviews I've seen. To add a bit to it, I will tell you exactly what I am posting as my own review: "I've been shaking my head over some people who somehow feel victimized by this book or author. I gave it 4 stars, solely because I do not agree with all of the author's views but I am open-minded enough to understand the value of what the author divulges while utilizing his unique, manifesto-like, style. First, the author plainly states his own truth. Within that truth are very personal and often metaphysically tinged views not everyone may agree with. However, essentially, he explains the concept of resistance (in other words, the enemy of artistic productivity) he and just about everyone else is prone to succumbing to. He illustrates this sometimes in seriousness and other times, in a more humorous way by directly or indirectly scolding the reader (who's inevitably guilty of giving in to resistance) or while utilizing self-deprecation. I suppose, one can either understand this method as offensive and claim the author hates himself (read elsewhere) or admit that the author efficiently hits a nerve by blatantly pointing out his own and the readers' likely flaws, thus evoking a feeling of cognitive dissonance that has to be overcome in order to move from a state of treating art with an "amateur" mind-set to treating artistic work with the tenacity it deserves, i.e. like a "professional". Secondly, he takes facts which are referenced in the back of the book and integrates them with his personal truths. Finally, he deduces a set of necessary rules he suggests the reader follow to overcome the ever-present procrastination-causing resistance, which will hopefully result in the reader learning how to win the war of art against the "foe" of resistance.
While the style of the book is not everyone's thing because the author is definitely adamant in his views and makes no effort to sugarcoat his opinion of amateurism (he might as well call "amateurs" hypocrites or wanna-be artists), I cannot really complain about the message of the book. The author is calling out those of us who have not be consistent in our pursuit of the arts we identify with but internally or externally whine about not getting the recognition we desire (YET)! I simply take it as a call to get out of that darn comfort zone we must abandon to finally put in the necessary work, to get to a place where we find happiness and fulfillment in the PROCESS of creating itself."
Mir wrote: "I don't have a smartphone, and my computer doesn't have sound, so no videos. Its reading or writing. Or cleaning."Gee, a little late on this reply, no? Anyway, that's very cool, Mir. Especially the endless cycle of cleaning.
A great philosophical debate lies in "To clean or not to clean?" Little did Hamlet know -- he was asking the wrong question!
Kathy wrote: "The best definition of Self & Ego I have found. Clear and concise. Thank you for this great review. You have captured the essence of the book well."From three years in the future, a hearty thanks, Kathy!
Petra wrote: "I think this is one of the most accurate reviews I've seen. To add a bit to it, I will tell you exactly what I am posting as my own review: "I've been shaking my head over some people who somehow ..."
Petra, I enjoyed your well thought out response to the book's critics. Thanks for taking the time to share it. Please accept my apologies for missing responses on this review. Sometimes they slip by me when RL interrupts GR life! I hope all your creative endeavors since writing this have been fruitful ones.
The words should and ought are problematic. Other than that, you write a pretty good review...almost good enough to move me to read the book.
Robby wrote: "The words should and ought are problematic. Other than that, you write a pretty good review...almost good enough to move me to read the book."You really ought to read it, Robby, and decide for yourself! ;-)
At least, if you stop writing these entertaining reviews here, we'll know why.
Left Coast Justin wrote: "At least, if you stop writing these entertaining reviews here, we'll know why."You mean, that I finally went to war on art instead of hanging out in this doom loop?
