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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)

2,761 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: 2,761 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #640 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2 in Books > Self-Help > Creativity
- #2 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling > Creativity & Genius
- #42 in Books > Self-Help > Personal Transformation

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Top customer reviews

How to find your life purpose... it is the thing you strive so hard to avoid.

ByLagunaRunneron August 19, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I came across this book in an article about how consuming news wastes considerable amount of time and only makes us more anxious. I was not quite sure what I was going to get from this book, but what I discovered after reading this is life changing. He really lays out the reasons why we procrastinate on certain items in our life and how to overcome them. However, this book is much more spiritual than that and dives into our purpose in life and why we limit ourselves rather than working to accomplish it. I am definitely impressed and will be buying more copies for friends and family members.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

A no nonsense treatise on creative work

ByJeannieon August 6, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I found this book to incite and inspire, encourage but be frank. If you're a creative professional, you probably have questioned why you create or if it even matters. Pressfield calls this Resistance. He capitalizes the word, because he's personified all of the roadblocks we encounter, both psychologically and externally. The book makes you think and really presses you to understand your excuses for not creating what you're meant to contribute to the world.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

A Good Read for Procrastinators and Artful Dodgers

ByOzzie Smithon June 13, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I like the way the book was written and particularly how it was written. The centered paragraphs and bold print made for quick reading and conviction. I have been made a believer that Resistance is a subtle culprit and saboteur of many lives--even parts of my own. The blunt use of language mimics my own self-talk at times. It made me recall the words of a theology professor who said, "We would write many more sermons if we didn't somehow delay things by sharpening so many pencils." Indeed our excuses are the tools with which we build monuments of nothing and to the delight of Resistance.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

Great pep talk but a little abstract near the end.

ByGeoff Bowmanon February 16, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

The first 2 sections are really good pump you up sections with some practical and down to earth advice and some hard-hitting truths about all the illegitimate reasons people fail to pursue or stick with an artistic or creative endeavor that they know they will enjoy in the long run. Essentially it all boils down to doing the work and doing it authentically and not beating around the bush of mediocrity or pretentiousness. The third section did a 180 and got a little pretentious itself and fairly metaphysical for me but included in the forward was a much more practical alternate view of how that information can be seen through a concrete lens.

Ultimately I didn't need this book and neither do you if you just get started and stay at it, if your art is already a paid-off clean-title vehicle that you can drive from point A-to-B, this book is just a nitrous tank that will get you there faster and be a handy boost for those times when you need to smash through creative blocks and outrun the negative setbacks long before they can pull you for speeding.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

A necessary kick in the butt for all artists.

ByPeter J. Neigeron February 4, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

"The War of Art" is one of those books that has been recommended to me time and time again over the last couple of years. It took me a while to get around to it, but I am glad I finally did. Part of me wishes that I had read it sooner, but it also seemed to enter my life at the perfect time when I was facing serious Resistance in my own writing. This book is technically a "self-help" book, but it is more like a battle cry to all artists out there (even those who have never produced a piece of art). Every person who has a small voice in the back of their mind constantly telling them what they should be doing with their life should read this book. Whether you want to be a painter, an entrepreneur, a scientist, or an actor, this book will kick you in the ass and help you find you defeat Resistance and become intimate with your Muse.

This book has a permanent place next to my computer and I will refer to it time and time again to keep myself moving along my professional path as a writer.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

Was this self published?

BySpencer Q Pennyworthon April 28, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

I can relate to this book a little, in that I come across resistance on my path to getting stuff done...but there's nothing here of any substance other than acknowledging resistance and discussing that it's there. And that you have to break through it. The type is large, there are a lot of partial pages. This is more like a booklet than a helpful book. I feel like I've delayed getting to work even more having taken the time to read this. The title is about what the inside contains...just in more words on the soft paper. It's not necessarily HOW to break through the blocks, just talking about them being there.

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

Combatting Resistance to the Deep Work You Must Do

ByRobert M. Shivelyon April 20, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I've been simultaneously reading this along with "Deep Work" by Cal Newport. Both books have similar themes: creativity and inspiration comes from disciplined work. They are not the product of chance, nor do they come from finding first that thing you love to do. We probably don't really know what it is that we love to do. The love of work follows after the actual work. Of the two, Pressfield has more practical advise about what it is that keeps us from doing that work and how we combat it. Both books will become part of my permanent library.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

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how to be professional in anything you do

not just for writers but in general life decisions to be made

Published 14 hours ago by Bettina01

Mediocre.

What a waste of time and money!

Published 1 day ago by mayyad

Outstanding, insightful description of and guidance through the artist's ...

Outstanding, insightful description of and guidance through the artist's process. In a nutshell, one of the book's first paragraphs succinctly describes the essential struggle:...Read more

Published 1 day ago by Laura B.

Steven Pressfield has expressed exactly how feel as a graphic ...

Steven Pressfield has expressed exactly how I feel as a graphic designer. I am forever grateful he has written this book, it has renewed my hope in the profession.

Published 1 day ago by Sylkia Adorno

Mind boggling, enlightening and honest approach in making people ...

Mind boggling, enlightening and honest approach in making people aware of what to expect when undertaking any artful act or any act that bring new perspectives.Read more

Published 1 day ago by F. Bah

Four Stars

Really helpful stuff for artist. And to also use on the daily basis life.

Published 2 days ago by Minor

Get Results

A must for kicking your butt when resistance rears its head. Light yet direct, easy to read and memorable.

Published 2 days ago by Satya

Life Changing

This book is a MUST read for Creatives. I love his views about the how and why of artistic creation. It was a little bit of a spiritual experience.

Published 2 days ago by Tiffany

Five Stars

This book changed my life!

Published 2 days ago by Tommy K.

Amazing beyond belief

Their were so many parts that I related to and at more than several sections, believed the author was speaking to me directly.Read more

Published 4 days ago by Delvonta Pinkston

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