The War of Art
$0.99
Think of The War of Art as tough love…for yourself.
Since 2002, The War of Art has inspired people around the world to defeat “resistance”; to recognize and knock down dream-blocking barriers and to silence the naysayers within us. Resistance kicks everyone’s butt, and the desire to defeat it is equally as universal. The War of Art 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.
Though it was written for writers, it has been embraced by business entrepreneurs, actors, dancers, painters, photographers, filmmakers, military service members, and thousands of others around the world.
7 reviews for The War of Art
Show all
Most Helpful
Highest Rating
Lowest Rating
philip little –
The War of Art: A Manual in Winning at Life
The cover of The War of Art has a quote by Esquire Magazine. It reads, “A vital gem… a kick in the ass.” Flip the book open and the reader will see the book is published by a firm called Black Irish Entertainment. It’s logo is a single boxing glove. While reading this book, I couldn’t help but constantly think back to this quote and image. Each chapter felt like a punch to the gut, a wake up call, a kick in the ass. Steven Pressfield titled his book The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles and he presents his readers with just that. A manual on fighting and defeating the opponent of life and resistance. I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for the tools necessary to overcome life’s greatest obstacles, develop yourself into an accomplished professional, and become the ultimate versions of yourself. Here’s why:The book was first published in 2002 and written by Steven Pressfield. Pressfield is most known for his historical fiction but has also produced many award winning non-fiction works and screenplays. His first book, The Legend of Bagger Vance, was made into a reputable film in 1995. His writing often draws parallels between historical classics, religious archetypes, and motivational revelations about his struggles and others’. His tales have motivated multitudes of individuals to conquer their fears, reach their potential, and accomplish their dreams.The War of Art is split into three books. The first book is called Resistance: Defining the Enemy. He uses this chapter to call out what he believes as the root to most of our problems. He defines Resistance as “The enemy within” and a “Force of nature”. It’s a “repelling force. It’s negative”, “Resistance will tell you anything to keep you from doing your work”, and “Resistance aims to kill.” He says everyone has had a battle with Resistance and it’s the root to many of the issues we face and develop in our lives. Substance dependence, unhappiness, and anger are just some of the effects caused from our internal battle with this self-sabotage energy. Each chapter is poetically written to describe the way resistance can infiltrate our lives and destroy us from within. The goal of this chapter is to identify to readers Resistance’s characteristics so they can recognize and fight it when face to face with this malevolence.The second book is called Combating Resistance: Turning Pro. Pressfield uses the terms professional and amateur to describe the battle with Resistance. He explains that those defeated by Resistance think like amateurs, and professionals are equipped with the tools to overpower their Resistance and reach their potential. Some of these chapters describe a professional’s attributes. They’re titled: A Professional is Patient, A Professional Acts in the Face of Fear, A Professional Reinvents Himself, etc. He uses stories and accounts of his own life and others, such as golfer Tiger Woods, to paint the picture of perseverance, focus, and strength. My favorite quote from this book comes from his chapter How to be Miserable. A marine himself, he briefly talks about how Marines are trained to love being miserable, to embrace the struggle, and fight to the death. The last line reads: “Because this is war, baby. And War is hell.”Book Three is called Beyond Resistance: The Higher Realm. This chapter aims to harness the psychic powers needed to fight the Resistance he described earlier. He uses terms such as angels, demons, and muses, but offers his more secular audience the option to think of these forces as abstract and impersonal, such as gravity, instincts, or universal forces. He claims we need these allies if we are ever to defeat the enemy of Resistance. He mentions the Athenian Xenophon who would make sacrifices to the gods and call for their aid before any expedition. His own version of this he calls invoking the Muse, a Greek mythology term used to describe the nine Goddesses, or even a person or personified force used as a source of inspiration to artists. Additionally, Pressfield goes on to describe the difference between the Ego and Self. With quotes from famous psychologists such as Freud and Jung, he believes the Ego is where Resistance lies, while the Self is where the angles, or good forces, live. He describes the characteristics of the ego and how it is the “part of the psyche that believes in material existence” and nothing more. While the Self is our deepest being, united to God, and is ever-growing and ever-evolving. The Ego hates the Self, Pressfield writes, and is the perpetrator for growth, progression, and success. He goes on to describe what the Authentic self looks like, how to defeat the hierarchical orientation, and how to unleash the artist within us.As a young aspiring professional on the cusp of a career and “the rest of my life”, this book struck the deepest cord in me and immediately earned its place in my list of books to re-read every year. It’s an easy read and I read it cover to cover in about three hours. It’s organized like a manual, with short chapters, and important titles and messages that will resonate with you at different points in your life. While reading its entirety is do-able, one can just as easily flip through the chapters and meditate on the headline and chapter that speaks to you most. It makes for the ultimate bed-side book for any artists looking for daily motivation to break through their creative struggles. Pressfield also seemed to speak to me specifically. I have long been a lover of Greek mythology and culture, Xenophon, and the Bhagavad-Gita, all which he mentions and parallels in his chapters. I was also a fan of the spiritual take-aways in his third book. The War of Art is a self-help book, but differs to many I have read. It is straight to the point, raw, and hard-hitting. While many self-help books rely on abstract and vague themes, Pressfield tells his readers his truth with his own words, as blunt as possible. It’s entertaining, easy to read, and powerful to anyone seeking help.Typically, I try to stay away from definitive statements, such as “Everyone would enjoy or resonate with this book.” We are all individuals that react differently to everything. But I do firmly believe this book would provide everyone of it’s readers a piece of something they have been looking for. We are all artists, and without unlocking the creative power within us, we find ourselves riddled with dilemmas and obstacles that are far from conquerable. For all willing, this book will help you identify the enemy, equip you with the tools to fight, and unlock the mystical powers that will help you live a fulfilling life.
Tom Venuto, Author of Burn the Fat, Feed The Muscle –
How to defeat the hidden forces that hold us back from doing our work and pursuing our calling
Published in 2002, The War of Art is about breaking through blocks that hold you back and disciplining yourself to do important work and pursue your calling. This book is aimed at creative artists, especially writers. But it contains lessons for anyone pursuing growth in any area who feels blocked by self-sabotaging behavior or failure to act.The premise is that there are hidden forces working against us, leading to inaction, distraction, procrastination, complacency, fear and self-destructive behavior. The author calls these forces “resistance.” They exist within us as negative tendencies or programming in our subconscious. The resistance may also be outside us, as in associations with the wrong people, or addiction to distractions (which today includes social media).Resistance doesn’t only affect writers. It hits in endeavors such as business, education, breaking bad habits and even, wrote Pressfield, “Any diet or health regimen.” The back cover blurb says, “Dream about writing the great American novel? Regret not finishing your paintings? Wish you could start dieting or exercising today? Hope to run a marathon some day?” Resistance is what holds us back from these undertakings.The War of Art is divided into three parts. In part one, Defining The Enemy, Pressfield describes the insidious nature of resistance. He explains it from his perspective as a writer, but lists many activities that elicit resistance. This includes any pursuit that calls for rejecting instant gratification in favor of long-term growth, health or integrity. He also warns of the cost of giving in to resistance.In part two, Combatting Resistance, you’re encouraged that resistance can be beaten. The way is by turning pro and ceasing to act like an amateur. You learn that this is not an easy task. You only turn pro by practicing self-discipline and pursuing self-mastery.Here’s a partial list of what Pressfield says turning pro looks like: 1. The pro shows up every day no matter what. 2. The pro is committed for the long haul. 3. The pro knows the stakes are high and real. 4. The pro masters the technique of their craft. 5. The pro doesn’t accept excuses. 6. The pro keeps working with the cards he is dealt. 7. The pro is a student of the game for life and open to coaching. 8. The pro reinvents himself. 9. The pro endures adversity. 10. The pro is patient.The third part of The War of Art is called, Beyond Resistance: Higher Realm. Some readers might find this part strange or even off-putting as it touches on spiritual topics. The author uses the term “muses” or even “angels” to describe the invisible source of inspiration that spurs us on to do our work. However, depending on your belief system, you could conceptualize this two ways:One, this is the subconscious. This powerful part of our mind stores everything we’ve ever seen, read and experienced and can call it up into conscious awareness. It can also assemble old ideas and knowledge into new combinations. It is the wellspring of our creativity. Two, there’s a universal consciousness. This is a higher power, creative in nature, and possessing all knowledge. We are connected to it, or one with it in individualized form. We can call on it. But we can also cut ourselves off from this inspiration if we identify only with the ego and physical self.The second interpretation appears more powerful, infinitely so. In either case, the author does not suggest just sitting around to pray or meditate. The key is setting an intention and then starting the work. You commit to show up and simply begin no matter what. As you begin, you ask for guidance (“invoke the muse”), and the beneficent unseen forces show up. You’re inspired to keep taking action. You’re infused with energy. Ideas keep popping into your head.A core message is that we are creative and growth-oriented beings by nature and we have a channel to a creative source. Failure to act on our higher urges, do our work and create something or grow as a person means a life unlived, and cheating others out of our potential contributions.Pressfield has a unique, impactful style. There are a couple F bombs, but colorful language is not gratuitous. At 165 pages, you can zip through the book quickly, especially because some pages contain only one paragraph. I can understand how this book might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it resonated with me. On the cover, a blurb from Esquire says, “… a kick in the ass.” That’s exactly how I’d describe it too.
YannWithAyahuasca.wordpress –
Je ne sais pas pourquoi je n’avais jamais entendu parler de ce livre avant, il devrait être obligatoire à l’école. Je fais à présent partie d’un groupe fermé de gens qui sont en train de métamorphoser leur vie pour le mieux et nombre d’entre eux à lu ce livre et le classe n°1 dans leur collection.C’est bien écrit mais simple et direct. Facile mais profond. Succint mais instruit.Dès les premières pages on est absorbé, fasciné et empli d’espoir, puis de certitude : je VAIS vaincre cette Résistance, cette peur insensée.Vous êtes angoissé ? Déprimé ? Vous avez tendance à ne rien foutre ? A perdre du temps ?Ce livre démistifie, explique, et détruit ces résistances, et donne des clés concrètes pour vaincre.Je recommande fortement. Vous vous devez bien cela.
Bosco Gamiz –
Ok. I read or heard about this book enough times to be intrigued and I went and read it. And yeah, I get it. It’s not what I’d usually consider would appeal to me, but it did. A great deal actually. Just a few underlines, but very powerful ones. I’m not too keen on the machoesque undertones, but nothing to really trip over. Just a stylistic choice. The message comes through loud and clear. And it’s one worth hearing.
Joep B –
Amazeballs, great book. I’m currently procrastinating and writing reviews instead of working. But, this is a great book with short chapters and you should definitely need it if you find your time to have any value beyond minimum wage. Take care <3
Liisa –
Procrastination problems?Peeved with yourself because of the above?Pressfield has written the book for you.If you’ve ever spent an hour or two scrolling through blogposts about procrastination (who, me?) instead of starting on a project you need or want to do, then this is the book for you.Steven Pressfield has a name for all the excuses, justifications, and rationalizations—both conscious and subconscious—which we use to justify why we “can’t” do something.He calls it Resistance.While he uses writing as an example of how resistance sabotages our plans, it’s applicable to anything we want to do, be it starting a new exercise regime or a new business.Pressfield is tough and raw, but also kind and nonjudgmental. He’s been there. He’s speaking from experience. In the first part of the book he lists every form of Resistance out there. He sees through all the bullshit. His own and mine and probably yours as well.Some forms of Resistance are obvious and others are pretty sneaky. I recognized so many that I literally felt my cheeks grow hot from embarrassment while I read this book. It was as though he saw right through me. He’s funny though, and I laughed even while my face burned.In the second part of the book he explains how to combat Resistance, overcome possible pitfalls along the way, and, most importantly, how to develop a professional mindset about whatever it is you want to do.The third part, where he talks about angels and muses, I see as a metaphor for what starts happening in your mind when you do finally take action on your projects. Ideas beget more ideas, and inspiration does come when you actually start working. This doesn’t mean it’s still not difficult or slow going, but it sure does feel better than postponing everything to “someday.” And I say this because I am convinced that this book played a role in getting me to finally sit down every day and finish my own novel.Just be warned: Once you’ve read The War of Art, you are literally out of excuses, and that’s a scary and naked feeling.
RB –
This is a great book. I’ve been able to recognize myself in everything written by the author. The author talks to artists, but the term artist has to be taken with a broad sense. He clarifies it early in the book, but don’t forget it as you progress in the book. Scientists, Entrepreneurs, and potentially everybody can and should be an artist too, therefore this book targets everybody.This book arrives at the best time for me, I haven’t been able to find someone who truly understands the way I feel. I was shocked when I read this : “I could not handle resistance. I had one novel nine-tenths of the way through and another at ninety-nine hundreth before I threw them in the trash. I couldn’t finish them.” Because it is exactly what happened to me. I was working on starting a web based venture, a web platform on which I’ve worked for months. At some point I was literally, nine-tenth of the way through. I estimated that I just needed 2 more weeks of work before finishing. Only 2 weeks after more than 8 months working on it ! But guess what : I never finished. I couldn’t explained it.At the last minute, I decided to stop the development and begin to search for customers. It made sense, it was like a rationalization : instead of working in vain you’d rather get customers first. Then as day goes by, you see that it’s difficult to get customer and you begin to think : the money will take some time to come here and you clearly need to work full-time on this. Are you really ready to do it ? And bit per bit you shift away, you become to be affected by other issues of you daily life. And one month later this project belongs to the past. You’ve just been lying to yourself, you’ve been self-defeating yourself.I didn’t know it was resistance before reading the book. Procastination is a weak idea, this book is more than that. The author conceptualized everything perfectly. If you ever faced a situation where resistance has defeated you, it doesn’t take long before you notice that the author has a real insight and knows what he is talking about. The strengh of this book is that the author has conceptualized this wide issue as well as the way to solve it, in an easy to read but powerful manner. The concept itself is powerful.But it’s not enough, in my opinion the big strength is that while the author goes to the point, the book is not a collection of recipes. You don’t find a 15 bullets points methodology to apply every morning. You find liberty, your mind is freed because you understand what’s really going on. This is why this book is so great. It’s very easy to do a time-management / project management book exposing some systematic method that are too be applied because they just “work”. It’s much more hard to write a book that try to achieve these results by talking to the mind of artists. But the results there are exponentially more powerful.Indeed artists do not follow methodologies, so when you target them, unless the word you speak are word of truth and wisdom, you are unlikely to have any impact. Luckily this is clearly the case with this book, there is no methodology but there are practical methods and a practical insight who make you understand how to defeat resistance in your unique life.Go ahead and read it now. Whether you are a painter, a writer, a man willing to start a venture, to volunteer himself… you are an artist and this book is for you. This book is massively cheap for what you’ll get out it. In my case, I feel it will save me dozen of years of struggle in my life. I’m glad God wanted me to understand the bigger picture, and directed me to this book. After reading it, I’m not only happy that my life will be empowered, I’m also happy to have faced this problem because thanks to this insight I’ll be able to help others.It’s impossible to really help someone who tells you : “I could not handle resistance. I had one novel nine-tenths of the way through and another at ninety-nine hundreth before I threw them in the trash. I couldn’t finish them.” without having experienced this situation and the strength and the obscure character of this inner energy by yourself. Steven Pressfield is helping us here. Now it’s time to help yourself and buy this book.