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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)

2,709 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 the Hardcover edition.

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 the Hardcover edition.

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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: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2,709 customer reviews)
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #698 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #7 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling > Creativity & Genius
- #13 in Books > Self-Help > Creativity
- #61 in Books > Self-Help > Personal Transformation

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Top customer reviews

Great book still, book quality is different story

ByE.C.on April 5, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

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.

11 comment 3 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Inspirational, although to many religious metaphors

ByRonaldregeanon February 14, 2012

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I have to say I almost chose not to write this considering how many existing reviews there are on this book. I did really enjoy it and out of a certain kind of love felt compelled to. Steven Pressfield would say that is a good thing for me, you, and the earth.

I thought the first half was much better than the second. Steven does a great job defining resistance and it's tools of self-sabotage (procrastination, fear, rationalization..).

Reading this book, you quickly get sucked in. It is hard not to feel those emotional twinges as you read about the many faces of your lower brain functions; your resistant mind, and where it dwells; your ego.

Being filled in on the many ways resistance discourages us from pursuing what we are meant to be is eye opening. I challenge anyone to read this book and tell me they cannot relate to most of Steven's definitions of what resistance is. It's a scary thing, and the first step in defeating it, or at least fending it off as it never goes away, is understand what it is, what it does, and why. That is something Steven Pressfield does to a very high caliber.

I have some difficulties when the book goes the religious direction. I know a lot of people could argue saying they are not directly religious propositions, but metaphors of a deeper meaning to things, even your own mind. The point i take is that a person must accept there are parts of your own mind that you don't fully understand or grasp that speaks to you in a different way that you can never control, as it lives and operates differently. That or there is a divine Muse, God, or some incorporeal beings that enjoy creating time via our physical beings for no other reason than love.

Whatever your take on that last part it, this book is eye opening and inspirational. It will help you understand that part of yourself that keeps you from being a success, that prevents you from being who you should be, from following your dreams.

0Comment 3 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Nothing groundbreaking

ByChad Coreon February 20, 2017

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

Basically, just tells you to get off your butt. Like I said nothing new or informative. If you have something that you really want to do in life and you feel some sort of inner resitance then fight through it. I think that sums it up, no real game plan for doing this stated in the book either.
I read a lot of good reviews and heard about it on the JRE podcast but didn't live up to the hype for me, hopefully it does for some other people.

0Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

A true message presented as river mud with gold grains

ByMark de Nijson July 17, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I agree with the main message of the book, but the author draws erroneous conclusions (psychologically) or creates psychological links that do not exist. He just invents them. Very creative indeed. In this work the author tells that at first he was afraid to write this book because he considers himself to be a fiction writer. In the end it appears to be fiction anyway (for the largest part). So he just did what he was supposed to do. Again, the message of the book I agree with. It is just wrapped up in a lot of nonsense. Would I qualify Pressfield as a good psychologist? No. He is better when he sticks to his territory. But the book might get you started or motivated.

The third part (the spiritual one) is the best part in my opinion. Here is where some gold grains can be found. It contains wisdom and good advices. Although I would use other terms than angels and muses, the artist certainly has to be grateful for the gifts he received from 'Above' and he has to transcend his ego.

I never read one of Pressfield's (real) fiction books, so I can not judge about this man’s real talent. I liked the story of Bagger Vance though (from the film), and to be chosen by the very picky Robert Redford to make a film from your script says something. Also, just like Pressfield I hold a very a high view of the Ancient Greek civilization (not only because I studied philosophy). So I may be tempted to buy one of his fiction stories.

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Most recent customer reviews

Five Stars

One of the best books you can read to ignite your inner fire.

Published 5 hours ago by Amazon Customer

For inspiration and your soul

To inspire you to be your truest self, please read this book!

Published 1 day ago by DK

Five Stars

Amazing read, exactly what you need to hear when you struggle with procrastination and self doubt.

Published 1 day ago by Brian D. Woods

Fantastically useful and ultra-important to define and 'know' your enemy

Just read the first few pages. Wow! It gets to the heart of the matter as well as your heart. Fantastically useful and ultra-important to define and 'know' your enemy, as Sun-tsu...Read more

Published 1 day ago by Lucille M. Femine

This book inspired me

I'm not sure I agree with all of Mr. Pressfield's psychological and religious arguments, but my purpose for reading this book was to find inspiration for my own artistic journeys.Read more

Published 1 day ago by Michael G. Anderson

Essential reading for anyone who does anything. Literally, I mean that. If you do anything, read this book.

Timeless tome that both inspires and offers practical wisdom. A must read for any maker, doer, artist, worker, parent, child, volunteer, or human.Read more

Published 2 days ago by Amazon Customer

A Must-Read For Any Creative Person

Fantastic book! Great ideas, laid out in a comprehensive way.

Published 6 days ago by Cal_El

Five Stars

Great quality book!

Published 6 days ago by heather g.

Thought Provoking Easy Read

Amazing book, really helped me get motivated and notice how many excuses I make when it comes to doing the things I want to actually be doing!Read more

Published 7 days ago by Matthew DiGuglielmo

easy to follow

Sick book! Very helpful book, lovely to read, easy to follow! Love it

Published 8 days ago by Neal Morano

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