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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)

2,820 customer reviews

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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.

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

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Novelist Steven Pressfield (The Legend of Bagger Vance; Gates of Fire) goes self-help in The War of Art: Winning the Inner Creative Battle. Dubbing itself a cross between Sun-Tzu's The Art of War and Julie Cameron's The Artist's Way, Pressfield's book aims to help readers "overcome Resistance" so that they may achieve "the unlived life within." Whether one wishes to embark on a diet, a program of spiritual advancement or an entrepreneurial venture, it's most often resistance that blocks the way. To kick resistance, Pressfield stresses loving what one does, having patience and acting in the face of fear. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Drawing on his many years' experience as a writer, Pressfield (The Legend of Bagger Vance) presents his first nonfiction work, which aims to inspire other writers, artists, musicians, or anyone else attempting to channel his or her creative energies. The focus is on combating resistance and living the destiny that Pressfield believes is gifted to each person by an all-powerful deity. While certainly of great value to frustrated writers struggling with writer's block, Pressfield's highly personal philosophy, soundly rooted in his own significant life challenges, has merit for anyone frustrated in fulfilling his or her life purpose. Successful photographer Ulrich (photography chair, Art Inst. of Boston; coeditor, The Visualization Manual) explores the creative impulse and presents an approach to developing creativity that, like Pressfield's, will be relevant to artists and others. He identifies and explains seven distinct stages of the creative process: discovery and encounter, passion and commitment, crisis and creative frustration, retreat and withdrawal, epiphany and insight, discipline and completion, and responsibility and release. He also develops his view of the three principles of the creative impulse, which include creative courage, being in the right place at the right time, and deepening connections with others. Rooted in Eastern philosophy, Ulrich's fully developed treatise nicely updates the solid works of Brewster Ghiselin (The Creative Process), Rollo May (The Courage To Create), and Julia Cameron (The Artist's Way). It also supplements Pressfield's inspirational thoughts on overcoming resistance through introspective questions and practical exercises that further elaborate the creative process. Both books are recommended for public libraries needing additional works on creativity. Dale Farris, Groves, TX
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product details

Paperback: 190 pages
Publisher: Black Irish Entertainment LLC; 47716th edition (January 11, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1936891026
ISBN-13: 978-1936891023
Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.5 x 8 inches
Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 2,820 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #613 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling > Creativity & Genius
- #8 in Books > Self-Help > Creativity
- #65 in Books > Self-Help > Personal Transformation

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Just what I needed

ByRA57on October 3, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Just the book I needed to give me a swift kick in the pants and get me in my chair to write. I thought I was fighting many demons that were keeping me from doing the work, and it turns out all these demons are really just one thing: "Resistance". Psychologically it's easier to overcome one obstacle than a dozen. Steven writes bluntly about what it takes to fulfill whatever it is you were put on this earth to accomplish. I will read this book more than once.

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Kick my Butt in a Fantastic Way!!

ByKate Pieper, MA LMFTon August 23, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Steven Pressfield is encouraging with his insights and motivations. Regardless of what your art is, Pressfield helps you to "get it done" with his insights regarding resistance and doing the work!

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

A MUST READ if you are a writer, painter or musician!

ByM. Zimmermanon September 4, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Wow. I have dabbled with writing my whole life, and this book is a kick in the *ss to anyone who is considering turning their creativity into a profession. Steven Pressfield pulls no punches and masterfully defines what holds us back and makes us doubt. Not to say that this book is depressing - far from it! He calls you out, smacks you around, adds a little humor, then dusts you off and leaves you inspired. His writing voice is very personable, like he's speaking directly to you, digging around in your psyche, picking out your fears and inhibitions. How? Because he has the same ones! I found this book to be powerfully blunt, like I was getting advice from someone 'in the business' who I can relate to because they know what goes through my mind every time I post a new chapter. I highly recommend this for any writer or aspiring writer, though it is geared toward any of the creative arts.

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Fabulous book!

ByDianeon May 12, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I loved this book! If you are a self-motivated over-achiever, you do not need it. But for the rest of us it is, as others have noted, a kick in the butt. It does have some colorful language but I really enjoyed this author's style. I am re-reading....AGAIN!

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This is a great book. It is filled with motivational thoughts and ...

ByStephen Schlageron September 8, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

This is a great book. It is filled with motivational thoughts and entries for the artist riddled with self-doubt, self-sabotage, creative block, and general negative thoughts. The book is full of 2 or 3 page chapters that can be read separately for that extra motivation you might need to jump start a project or re-stimulate an interest. Just pick the book up and turn to a page at random and start reading.

I found it very inspiring.

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What Really Matters?

ByTom Bivinson January 5, 2014

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Eventually, everybody has to confront the question of what really matters. This book is not about what really matters as much as it is about realizing your unique gifts and purpose. The essence of the message is to recognize what is going on in our lives, how resistance in many forms curbs our abilities to act, the differences between amateurs and professionals, and most important; how to win the battle between our own ears by strengthening the individual's intestinal fortitude.

The War Of Art explores the questions: Who am I? Why am I here? What is the meaning of life? themes. There are many examples of jumping in this pool of life questions that it is not possible for me to to adequately summarize this work without multiple readings. This is definitely an artistic interpretation of what the war of art looks like to those experiencing the fight for their own art.

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Bright, clear and concise

Bystudioprod.on May 5, 2011

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Pressfield has produced a book stripped of any fluff (but thankfully, not stripped of perspective and humor). Some pages will have only one or two sentences...but well-crafted sentences that get right to the point.

In a way it's like a book of aphorisms, except these are not the usual gauzy fortune cookie stuffers that make up so many self-help books. These thoughts are written on the tip of a boot and applied with requisite force.

I hesitate to recommend it to many people because I want to keep the supply of people with unexamined lives available to do the scut work. If too many people learn the lessons contained in this book there won't be many left to work in the cubicles and take out the trash. In that sense, this is a truly subversive book.

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Massively Important Read

ByMichael Goochon October 23, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Bagger Vance is one of my top 10 fav movies of all time. Same guy that brought you Bagger - brings "The War".. Basically I guess we are all seriously at war with this crippling bastard called resistence? It's had it way with me more than I care to admit. After this read however I am finding some answers to questions I've had for a damn long time. If you've had something inside that you've tried to get out for a very long time, I'm a believer this book will help. Thanks for doing your work Pressfield! Thanks for passing it on. It's my turn now. The world is about to get-gooched... Amen

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Most recent customer reviews

Mercifully short.

At least the book was mercifully short. Even so, it felt like a message of repetitive fluff that could have been related in a few well-written pages or even a 3-word Nike slogan.Read more

Published 5 days ago by R. Hiltner

A mostly helpful book, with MYSTICISM bizarrely shoehorned in

Meh. Pressfield dishes some useful and frank talk about the dangers of amateurish self-defeat...muddled by mystic undertones.Read more

Published 8 days ago by Zachary Littrell

But on top of that this book is super fun and engaging

This book will change your life and that's no exaggeration. But on top of that this book is super fun and engaging.Read more

Published 8 days ago by Brandon Chesler

Good . Read it

This is for anyone that wants to create something. Read mastery by Robert Greene first then read this book. Peace

Published 10 days ago by Gregory Muller

Never too late....

This is a most inspirational book. While I wish that I had read it long ago, its not too late. And I am now in my territory doing what Ive always known I should for all the...Read more

Published 11 days ago by Lander Ferguson

I really enjoy this read

I really enjoy this read. It is simple, straightforward advice on writing and creating art. No beating around the bush just information.

Published 11 days ago by Wendy Cheairs

this doesn't read like a book

I know I'm going to be shouted down by the crowd, but it needs to be said: this doesn't read like a book.Read more

Published 13 days ago by Magnus

Makes you inspired.

I enjoy the plot of the book. I highly recommended for those who needs inspiration to do their task. there is a war going within us and this book will uncover it.

Published 13 days ago by Elmer Lagumbay

Five Stars

This book was very inspiring and hard to put down!

Published 14 days ago by Jude Pedersen

Lacks Substance

Interesting viewpoint that i felt compelled to explore. Unfortunately, the book lacks solutions and I’d expect strong support for them.Read more

Published 15 days ago by Legendary Sublime Queen

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