Name: Kyle McDonald's review of The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
Item: The War of Art
Rating: 3
Author: Kyle McDonald

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

Kyle McDonald

Lisa Wright

I found this book so-so. Not really for me. You have to cut through a lot of fluff to get to the practical. The author makes a lot of oversimplified, grandiose, overromanticized statements right from the get-go, some of which put me off and made me want to put the book down.

He made some ignorant statements about mental illness, cancer and pharmaceuticals I found incredibly inappropriate for a book about creativity. Encouraging people to go off their psych medications is irresponsible and reprehensible. Claiming that cancer patients go into remission by defeating resistance is similarly ill-placed.

If you can get past the bad medical claims and the more airy, woo woo ideas about muses and angels and whatnot, you'll find some valuable ideas about transforming your amateur mindset to that of a pro. There might be other books that frame these ideas better for my tastes.

John Manoogian III

By all accounts, I'm not an artist, but I still found some useful insights to take from this.

Craig Jellick

Aaron J Mitchell

What I enjoyed most about this book was how the core arguements felt so familiar, as I'd had them with myself. It edges over from artistic personal trainer motivation into profound meaning of life examples. As a chronic procrastinator this book was an electric slap pn the ass. 

If like me you're an atheist and sceptic and concerned about the supposed, dreaded 'religous overtones' don't be worried. Pressfield chooses, and freely states he chooses and if you want to extrapolate your own conclusion go for it, that imagination is driven by something metaphysical. Robert Mckee's level headed preface is also a great primer for the book itself.

Must read about the creative process. Can be slightly foo-foo, but the practical takeaway treating yourself as a professional is a game changer.

Jacob Medure

This book is aimed at creatives but it is good for anyone who struggles to make new habits or try something new. Chapters are usually short (some are only half a page) and can be read in small pieces.

Dakota Deadman

"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.

Julien Sobczak

"Are you a writer who doesn't write, a painter who doesn't paint, an entrepreneur who never starts a venture?" If there are things you want to do but don't, chances are you are in the main audience of this book like everybody else…

"The War of Art" is one of the best nonfiction books. It's a classic. It's different, life-changing, original, insightful, and for sure, special. There are more chapters and sections than pages. It's the kind of book written with conviction that can make it look less serious than well-researched nonfiction books. Some sentences will raise your eyebrows. I recommend that you take the time to read, pause, and reflect (a lot!). Every idea presented in this book cannot be more serious, if you dare to reformulate using your own beliefs, especially in the last part, where our angels, our Muse, or God integrate the story.

I understand why authors like Ryan Holiday reread this book before any major creative work. This book will benefit everybody struggling to favor long-term growth in preference of immediate gratification. To be honest, I expected a lot more based on its popularity but that doesn't mean I will not reread it in the future. I will.

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

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!

Kyle McDonald &
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

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