Steven Pressfield

The Art of War meets "The Artist's Way" in this no-nonsense, profoundly inspiring guide to overcoming creative blocks of every kind.

Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

The War of Art

What keeps so many of us from doing what we long to do? Why is there a naysayer within? How can we avoid the roadblocks of any creative endeavor—be it starting up a dream business venture, writing a novel, or painting a masterpiece? The War of Art identifies the enemy that every one of us must face, outlines a battle plan to conquer this internal foe, then pinpoints just how to achieve the greatest success. The War of Art emphasizes the resolve needed to recognize and overcome the obstacles of ambition and then effectively shows how to reach the highest level of creative discipline. Think of it as tough love . . . for yourself.

Vincent Weisz

Orion James Mitchell 

Must read for any one who struggles with getting started on their projects, artistic or otherwise

Ron Bronson

Of this and "Do The Work" I prefer Do The Work because it's shorter, more concise and it's the sort of book that will jolt you further towards your goals. The War of Art is a bit more detailed, but also I feel a bit less...energizing. It might be because I read the other first that I felt this way about it, but I don't think you need both, as a lot of the same themes are picked up in both so it'll seem redundant.

Amy Thibodeau

He lost me at, cancer happens when we’re not living our creative potential and often will go into remission if we do the work. I am just philosophically opposed to this book. Not for me.

Rito Ghosh

If you ignore the stuff sbout god, and divinity and so on, you can learn a quite a few useful things from this book. I would recommend it, if you can overlook the references to god and divinity.

Wenny

Hands down the best wake up read so far. Some parts are highly spiritual and can sound nonsensical, but done with such passion that I can't help but respect the author's belief, even though I don't subscribe to all of what he's preaching. Nevertheless, something to reread time and time again when the temptation to procrastinate or get uselessly busy pops up.

We have the right to our labor but not to the fruits of our labor. Unique perspective on the amount and the many forms of resistance we face in life. We must conquer resistance and pursue our most creative selves. 

Joban Saran

It's insightful, and will definitely resonate 

 with some people, but I also find that's it's almost crass in how it repeats self-help tropes while pretending to be above them.

Its one-line summary is: To be a successful artist, ignore self-doubt and keep working.

Louis-André Labadie

It's insightful, and will definitely resonate deeply with some people, but I also find that's it's almost crass in how it repeats self-help tropes while pretending to be above them.

Its one-line summary is: To be a successful artist, ignore self-doubt and keep working.

Todd Luallen

Definitely a short read, just a couple days really. I loved the entire concept of RESISTANCE and I'll probably keep using that term and concept as I fight to create moving forward. For that reason alone I think this book is a great book to recommend to anyone interested in producing something that isn't cookie-cutter. I loved 2 things about the book and disliked 2 others. I loved what Pressfield calls *Book 1 *because it made me cringe in agreement with all the symptoms of RESISTANCE that I give in to on a weekly (more like daily) basis. I loved *Book 2 *even more because it provided hope and solutions for overcoming RESISTANCE and completing what I have set out to do. I disliked the audible book formation of chapters. There seemed to be no rhyme or reason for when they started and when they stopped. The various *Book* segments would typically start in the middle of an audible chapter - what's up with that Audible? The second thing I disliked was *Book 3*, as some have stated in other reviews as well. I really disliked the spiritual discussion and pretty much dismissed it all. Pressfield pulls from religious books of all backgrounds and forms his own view of how things are. I'm glad he doesn't shy away from spirituality, but his arguments are not convincing.

brendan sudol

a nice reminder of the importance of just sitting down and trying day after day after day

Ugis

Great read for artists, creators, entrepreneurs and everyone who's creative and sometimes struggling. Quick 2h47m read. and tons of inspiration. Will definitely open it up again once in a while. Recommended!

Cams Campbell

I’m utterly blown away by this book. It explains way better than I ever could the exact philosophy I wrote about drunkenly to my now wife back when I was coming to understand my alcoholism and my relationship to my higher power.

Chimwekele Okoro

Utterly transformational. Steven Pressfield writes in such a poetic yet straightforward manner. This is a huge must-read for anyone that wants to make a real change in their lives and the lives of those around them.

Dimitar Penkov

It had some valid points, but overall REALLY overrated.

Bryan Maniotakis

Like every other book on this topic, just get started to defeat procrastination. -1 for the religious overtones.

Dave Konopka

While there is some inspiration to be found in the story of creativity as a war against resistance I found it to be a bit overblown in its telling. It takes up absolute points of view on some very squishy concepts and indulges in too much shaming at times. It’s worth a listen/read for the big picture but I wouldn’t spend too much effort focusing on the details.

Pranav Mutatkar

I read this again for the second time idk man was just trash tbh

Omar Fernandez

I read this in two sittings. Not as dramatic as saying I read it in one sitting, but nonetheless a testament of how enthralled by it I was. 

There were passages that I had to stop and let sink in. I may have teared up once. I'm not sure why, but I was moved.

Evan Petrack

Strong start, weak finish. Had some great takeaways though and loved the personification of resistance!

Nitin Khanna

An amazing and inspirational book... It taught me that if I really have to be serious about writing, I have to go 'pro' and that's something that only comes with continuous effort and hard work... Great read...

"In this powerful, straight-from-the-hip examination of the internal obstacles to success, bestselling author Steven Pressfield shows readers how to identify, defeat, and unlock the inner barriers to creativity. The War of Art is an inspirational, funny, well-aimed kick in the pants guaranteed to galvanize every would-be artist, visionary, or entrepreneur." --from back cover.

Matthew Chasco

Overall the book does provide useful insight in the "resistance" that can occur when having to get something done.
A little heavy on the metaphors, insubstantial 'factoids' and assumptions made me want to skim and not actually read.
The book does continually push for consistency, although, it does ultimately hint "...if the Muse exists, she does not whisper to the untalented."

Sara Gaspar Farinha

Depois de consumir ‘Turning Pro’ (cuja opinião encontram aqui…) achei que tinha de ler a obra que deu o mote à teoria da Resistência.

Pensei que seria um livro capaz de proporcionar uma poderosa experiência emocional… afinal, (e terá sido só comigo?) parece que ‘Turning Pro’ estragou a novidade.

‘The War of Art’ com prólogo escrito por Robert McKee (o mestre de ‘Story’), o que é um grande elogio, é suposto ser uma forte pancada na cabeça. Atingiu o objectivo, de certa forma. Presumo que o teria feito de maneira mais traumática, se o tivesse lido primeiro. Uma vez que não o fiz, confesso que relacionei-me mais com as experiências de vida de Pressfield, a indigência, a luta e o sacrifício expostos em ‘Turning Pro’ do que com a formulação da Teoria da Resistência em si mesma...

Ler Opinião completa aqui: http://sarinhafarinha.wordpress.com/2...

Danica Holdaway

Inspiring, spiritual, and philosophical. A great, fast read for reframing your creativity and roadblocks to help you do what you were meant to do!

Ivaylo Durmonski

The book is amazingly written and it will give you a gentle push towards your tasks and hopefully, you'll learn how to do more, and procrastinate less. You can read more, here: https://durmonski.com/book-summaries/...

Stavros Kosmas

“Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It’s a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got.”

This book is a fantastic read for any artist or creator. It boosted my confidence as a songwriter for sure. Can’t wait to kick the ass of the Resistance that’s keeping me from working on my art and serving my Muse. Daily. After reading this, it does feel like I was born to do this. And it rocks.

The War of Art Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

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