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Steven Pressfield

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

by Steven Pressfield (Author), Shawn Coyne (Editor)

11,087 ratings

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A succinct, engaging, and practical guide for succeeding in any creative sphere, The War of Art is nothing less than Sun-Tzu for the soul.

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?

Bestselling novelist Steven Pressfield 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.

Whether an artist, writer or business person, this simple, personal, and no-nonsense book will inspire you to seize the potential of your life.

Print length

190 pages
Language

English
Publication date

January 11, 2012
Dimensions

5 x 0.48 x 8 inches
ISBN-10

1936891026
ISBN-13

978-1936891023
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A vital gem...A kick in the ass for all of us with a tendency towards procrastination."

"Amazingly cogent and smart on the psychology of creation."

About the Author

STEVEN PRESSFIELD is the author of Turning Pro, Do the Work, The Warrior Ethos and the international bestselling novels, The Legend of Bagger Vance, Gates of Fire, Tides of War, Last of the Amazons, The Virtues of War, The Afghan Campaign, Killing Rommel, and The Profession. He lives in Los Angeles.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Black Irish Entertainment LLC; 47716th edition (January 11, 2012)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 190 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1936891026
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1936891023
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5 x 0.48 x 8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,358 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #4 in Popular Psychology Creativity & Genius
- #14 in Creativity (Books)
- #72 in Success Self-Help

Customer Reviews:
11,087 ratings

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Steven Pressfield
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Steven Pressfield is the author of The Legend of Bagger Vance, Gates of Fire, Tides of War, Last of the Amazons, Virtues of War, The Afghan Campaign, Killing Rommel, The Profession, The Lion's Gate, The War of Art, Turning Pro, Do the Work, The Warrior Ethos, The Authentic Swing, An American Jew, Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t, The Knowledge, and The Artist's Journey.
His debut novel, The Legend of Bagger Vance, was adapted for screen. A film of the same title was released in 2000, directed by Robert Redford and starring Matt Damon, Will Smith and Charlize Theron.
His father was in the Navy, and he was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 1943. Since graduating from Duke University in 1965, he has been a U.S. Marine, an advertising copywriter, schoolteacher, tractor-trailer driver, bartender, oilfield roustabout, attendant in a mental hospital and screenwriter.
His struggles to earn a living as a writer (it took seventeen years to get the first paycheck) are detailed in The War of Art, Turning Pro, The Authentic Swing, Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t, and The Knowledge.
There's a recurring character in his books, named Telamon, a mercenary of ancient days. Telamon doesn't say much. He rarely gets hurt or wounded. And he never seems to age. His view of the profession of arms is a lot like Pressfield's conception of art and the artist:
"It is one thing to study war, and another to live the warrior's life."
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Customer reviews

5 star		77%
4 star		12%
3 star		6%
2 star		2%
1 star		2%

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Top reviews from the United States

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James Charles

What a load

Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2018

Verified Purchase

Here is this book in a nutshell: what do you want to do? Have discipline and do it. I just saved you ten dollars. You're welcome.

768 people found this helpful

Helpful

Eric Marthinsen

Read with a critical eye, this book falls apart quickly

Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2017

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TLDR: This book is written as a motivational text. It tries to make a rousing argument, but is undercut by some ludicrous and unsupportable conjecture. It will resonate with some people and turn others off. Read on for a more detailed explanation.

The books is, roughly, divided into three sections: Resistance, Combating Resistance, and Beyond Resistance.

The first section was actually really good. It mostly got into what Resistance is - the counterforce to achievement - and the various ways it manifests itself. While not based on any sort of evidence or research, this section lays out an allegorical enemy worthy of an epic struggle.

The second section is mostly about how a professional behaves and how this behavior can overcome Resistance. The summary of this section is: show up, do the work, don't get distracted. This was the most prescriptive section of the book, but I'd say it leaned more towards inspiration than prescription. If someone complains that this book is "just common sense", it is probably this section they are referring to.

Emboldened by a couple solid sections, the author goes completely off the rails in the third. The book becomes very religious, espouses lousy pop psychology, and makes outlandish claims. If I were to sum this section up, I'd say the author puts forth the idea that the artist is a conduit for some sort of divine inspiration or work, made manifest through the benevolent intervention of angels. That might be slightly harsh summary, but not too far off the mark. He literally says "We were put here on earth to act as agents of the Infinite" and "The artist is the servant of that intention, those angels, that Muse." Okay, perhaps he's just being allegorical. Nope. When talking about the fruits of our labor, he says "That is to do the work and give it to Him. Do it as an offering to God." I'm not against a religious message, but it wasn't what I was expecting. I felt like the author was trying to proselytize me.

Putting the religious aspects of section 3 aside, the rest of it is the worst kind of shoot-from-the-hip psychology. He does a deep dive into the Ego - ignoring the conventional definition and redefines it for his own purposes. He tries to draw a distinction between a hierarchical and territorial mode of thinking - unsuccessfully. He makes outlandish claims, like ignoring the authentic self may be the cause of cancer and embracing the self might be its cure. He, literally, says that becoming your authentic self could cure cancer. This is advice that could kill someone. He goes on to explain how the colloquialisms for inebriation - stoned, smashed, hammered - are all referring to the destruction of the Ego in order to access the Self. There's no etymological basis for his statement. There isn't even any anecdotal evidence to support this. When speaking about the relationship between a mother and her child, he says "She knows it came out of her but not from her, through her but not of her." It's an interesting thought, but biologically incorrect. Lastly, he makes claims that are openly contrary. He says "Union and mutual assistance are the imperatives of life", but a few pages later says it would be incorrect to call friends for reassurance if you were feeling anxious. To me, this section felt like a mess and it ruined the book for me.

In summary, this book is a snapshot of a specific artist's mental model of the creative struggle. I makes claims and gives advice that is unsupportable, incorrect, and sometimes contradictory. If you are reading this with a critical or skeptical eye, then you are unlikely to enjoy it. I really think that for this book to speak to you, you need to accept it at face value - almost as a scripture or gospel.

638 people found this helpful

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Chris

Negative, ignorant and just plain silly

Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2018

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I read the foreword and first groaned a little with the god talk. I continued to read. I couldn't make it to book three. This the first time in awhile I couldn't finish a book. Judging by how much I agree with many of the other 1 star reviews, I can only expect a greater degree of suffering and discomfort as the book "goes off the rails" in book 3. I find it interesting the five star reviews that say this book is motivating. I actually found it depressing and full of negative energy. It's riddled with feelings of guilt (the Christian kind), xenophobia, intolerance, disarray and just plain ignorance. It's full of strong opinions and weak on coherence and logical reasoning. I found the author contradictory in many cases. Also, the format is terribly annoying.

Summary: Book 1: stop procrastinating. Book 2: just do it. Book 3: make art for god? If there is a god, please help steer others away from this silly book.

249 people found this helpful

Helpful

Dona

Neurobigoted Writer

Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2018

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What. An. Awful. Book. If you happen to have add or adhd, or an anxiety disorder--and if you're a writer looking for ways to be more productive, you just might--pass this one up. You'll find a writer all too willing to claim to have invented your experience-defining disorder in a copywriting meeting, among other less egregious examples of neurobigotry. In general, this is a big positivity stroke fest and provides very little in the way of actual useful infirmation or procedure for those of use who need it most.

186 people found this helpful

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Harry Ramsay

Had Tears In My Eyes By The Time I Was Finished

Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2017

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This is an absolutely amazing book on self-discipline and creativity.

If you're an entrepreneur, an artist, a writer, scientist or just about anybody with an internal urge to CREATE something but cannot because of distractions, fears, doubts and apprehensions, then this is the book for you.

This will book show and define the #1 thing that's stopping you from bringing out your creative potential. It's called Resistance and how it behaves and how it beats you.

And then it stresses why we should overcome the resistance and how to overcome it successfully by detaching ourselves from the fruits, operating from a territorial perspective (i.e. Doing work for the sake of doing work).

By the time I reached the small chapter on Gita and Krishna's explanation on doing work for work's sake, I literally had tears in my eyes.

... Because that's the way an artist must operate, not caring for the fruits.

And I can attest my success in my business & job for JUST that. I gave up all hopes, desires & doubts I had.

I didn't care. I just decided to do the work, punched in my time and 3 years later, I'm at a level that's shocking for many (but something I dreamed about).

However, I still have a lot of blocks where I didn't express myself and get the creative part of me and I'm fortunate to have come across this book.

Anyone who is here to CREATE something - read it. It will change your life!

285 people found this helpful

Helpful

Zen DragonTop Contributor: Writing

What does everyone else see in this garbage?

Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2019

Verified Purchase

I get what this book is supposed to be. Inspiration. This is pages upon pages of ramblings from someone that I cannot identify with. I do not agree with his philosophies and I cannot get on board with his ideal system.
He talks a ton about resistance, and while what he speaks of is real, his methods are - vapid.
There is no advice here either. Pray to the muse? The world is full of angels?
This book has been helpful to many, and will likely continue to do so.
For me, this is quickly in my recycle bin to try to get a couple of bucks and get something I will actually enjoy reading.

107 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Roisin

Waste of money and time. Don't be fooled by the 5 star reviews...

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 12, 2018

Verified Purchase

Would give zero stars if I could. A narrow minded author that makes alot of RIDICULOUS claims without anything to back it up. Actually angered me. A wishy washy badly constructed book that preaches about religious views throughout and makes extremley irrational claims that certain mental health disorders have been made up by marketing companies etc.

124 people found this helpful

Peter James West

A strange, rambling monologue with moments of clarity

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 26, 2019

Verified Purchase

I picked up this book because it was recommended by David Farland. I see now it was more to his taste than mine.
Clearly Steven has read widely across cultures, subject matter and literature. Clearly he has a talent for writing. But as a non-fiction work, I think this was poorly targeted.

It srarts with a kick-ass be a professional, not an amateur section - which I entirely agree with and enjoyed.

It then descends into a religious and philosophical rant that had little meaning or relevance to me.

Maybe if the blurb had made it clearer who it was targeted at, i.e. religious writers, seeking answers as to where they get their talent, then I wouldn't have picked it up.

Clearly the right target audience find it inspiring. The blurb didn't make it clear that I'm not part of it.

48 people found this helpful

Mikeyboy

Don't believe the hype

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 25, 2019

Verified Purchase

Once again I've been duped by a 'self-help' book with a great reputation. I didn't get much out of it at all, and that was before the last third of the book which descends into religious/spiritual waffle. It is of absolutely no practical value, keep your money and don't waste your time reading it.

41 people found this helpful

Rajaboina

Just keep all the Self-help, Strategy books aside and READ this.

Reviewed in India on June 27, 2016

Verified Purchase

I know you wanna change. You wanna improve your self. You read all the classics in the self-help niche, all the success stories of the greatest personalities, and learn all the strategies.
And you feel that HIGH once a book is finished, eager and enthusiastic to apply all the knowledge you've gained and to see some results.

And the days go by... you slowly realize you're actually going nowhere, atleast not as much as you desire and expected.
You know what to do, you know how to do, but you won't seem to be able to apply the knowledge in realtime. And it sucks, i know that feeling.

And you slowly fall into the vicious circle.
You slowly take some other book that you hope atleast will help with your problem.
You pick a book.... you'll read... feels motivated.... days go by.... you realize.... it sucks... you start again( i hope)

THIS IS WHERE "TheWARofART" is a LIFE SAVING BOOK.

When you see that you're going nowhere even after knowing what to do. You'll slowly fall into the depressing thought process that may be YOU WILL NEVER BE THAT GUY YOU WANNA BE.

In every self-help book that we read hardly anyone was able to put the problem we are facing in such a way like in WARofART, where it truly kicks in your ass and makes you aware of the RESISTANCE you're facing ever since you know your self.

if you suck at taking ACTION about anything, and feeling how to do it. Just pick up this book and read it... take the book with you, when ever you're feeling of resistance or its disguised forms, read few pages from the book.

I bet you wont be sitting there idle once you finish this true gem of a book.. but will go and do your long held unfinished, undared stuff.

This is my first review ever since i'm puchasing books/anything from amazon. I thought of writing for some.. but you see RESISTANCE is a b***h. but now I did.

It's all those simple actions that makes a difference in a long run. And WarOfArt will help you beat the RESISTANCE and take that ACTION.

All the best. :)

182 people found this helpful

Amazon Customer

I've never been this mad at a book before

Reviewed in Germany on May 4, 2020

Verified Purchase

This book isn't just useless but also harmful. It tells you that all problems exist because people do not express their creativity. So if everybody would do creative stuff we wouldn't need medical doctors because being sick is just your way to get cheap attention. This is so disrespectful I am actually speechless. So let's move on. He also suggests that it was easier for Hitler to start world war II than to face a blank canvas. WTF? Ok, let's also let it go. Oh you have mental health problems? Don't worry most of them were just invented by psychologists/doctors so they are not real at all! Don't you feel better already? You're just too lazy to do your creative stuff, shame on you. The only existing advice in the book is "sit your ass down and do your thing". There now you can save yourself not just the money for the book but the high blood pressure and angry yelling that it will induce. And I didn't even read the very last esoteric bs part because I just couldn't take it anymore.

46 people found this helpful

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