The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles Paperback – January 11, 2012

This book may not be for everyone, because not everyone will recieve the message, but it is intended for everyone, in that creativity lies in every human in some form. A lot of reviewers complain about the short chapters, the seeming lack of content, the casual flippancy Pressfield occasionally invokes when discussing the image of Hitler as a repressed, blocked artist, the third part of the book that deals with higher dimensions and serving a higher purpose. etc. No, this book may not be for everynyone. But if you are a blocked creative with an open heart and an eager mind or someone seeking to launch any kind of humanistic endeavor or starting a business, etc, you should consider giving it a try.

This is an unorthodox book. You'll finish it in a day or two. It's filled with words like "Resistance" that sound like self-help buzzwords. It isn't. It's a very apt and all-encompassing term for the forces that keep you from doing your life's work, whatever that may be. Distraction, apathy, booze, procrastination, excuses, toxic relationships, depression, and my favorite of Pressfield's: "compulsive screwing up", just to name a few. Anyone honest with himself who has ever claimed to have "writer's block" knows it's a cop-out, an excuse for not sitting down at an empty screen/page, and doing the work.

This book will kick you in the ass and show you how you've been self-sabotaging yourself. It will also fire you up and give you the strength you need to press on and do the work. Pressfield is a kindly drill-sergeant; he holds no punches but you get the feeling that he really wants you to succeed.

As I read the opening chapter on resistance I saw my guilty self on each page. Illusions were shattered. but it inspired me to sit down at the blank screen and do it. You'll read it once and then refer to it again and again as you might work with a coach on your golf swing.

It's a blue-print, not a map, and everyone's experience will be slightly different as they work through their own demons creating their blocks, so don't expect this to solve your problems. It's up to you to kill your own Minotaur. YOU have to do the work. Identifying the things in life that hold you back, the negative thought patterns, perfectionism, etc., is only the beginning.

The third part of the book, the part that addresses that thorny issue of where ideas and inspiration comes from, will be where many will fall by the wayside. Pressfield cautions you not to hold on too tightly to that precious gemstone you call your "talent", and open yourself to other possibilites, that there may be a higher dimensional energy at work here and that we, the artists, writers, dancers, whatever, are only the agents that this energy works through. Call it what you want. god, the universe, the tao, whatever. I think it was jazz great Charlie Parker that said when asked where his ideas come from, "I just try to get out of the way". He meant that he suspended all ego and allowed the work to flow through him from a higher plane. not comfortable with all this higher-dimensional nonsense? Maybe it's not for you.

But The War of Art will help you. It's helping me. Try his other one, Do The Work as well; some of it is redundant, but is still very worth it. you have nothing to lose, only your blocks, so open your mind and try it.

The War of Art is a book that is quoted from and is overwhelmingly recommended by too many people. After reading, I can say it was different than I expected.
As a writer, the section on resistance was the most helpful. Also, avoiding the hierarchy and utilizing territory was a great perspective. I highlighted several passages inside and even bookmarked a few pages for easy referral when I need it. Interesting book to read when you're facing a bit of resistance.

Ive read this book before and it is inspirational and empowering. However i purchased the paperback straight from amazon and i can tell this was printed by a machine that they own. The pages actually look great but the cover is overly glossy and i know is cheap cause they copied and printed it to their own paper. Its obvious because it says it was printed april 2nd 2017, i ordered this april 1st, 2017...

I know this sounds silly and most people probably wont care but it just feels and looks cheap. If you want what the author says, you'll get it.
I havent noticed it so far but the last book i bought that they printed themselves were missing certain letters on a few pages.

If any form of creating is important to you - whether products, writing, movement, thought – you likely will find value reading this book. I find it a good book to revisit as it is rather thought provoking. It kind of metaphorically hit me in the face a few times!

The first part of the book is devoted to resistance, defined as the most toxic force on the planet. Pressfield’s observations of resistance shifted my views on a few topics. For one, wine seems like it ought to relax and open creativity instead of create resistance. However, as I reflect on my own experience wine really does impede my creativity.

His observation about criticism and resistance is something to ponder. Pressfield concludes: Individuals who are realized in their own lives almost never criticize others.

Also, his thoughts about self-doubt reflecting love in the form of a dream. Interesting that he concludes the counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident! The Hack is one who tries to predict what his audience wants and create accordingly. The Hack is who many marketers would have us be.

Much of his book reminds me of George Lenard’s book Mastery. Both sharing that art of any kind is really self-mastery.

Savor this book and create!