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

by Steven Pressfield (Author), Robert McKee

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.

Genres: Art, Self Help

163 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2023

Reviews

[Yulenka]

Loved. Will read again.
Relatable with lessons that give you a kick in the pants when you need it and help artistic souls feel empowered to create.

[Sarah Hoodlet]

As a writer and self-published author, I found this book really insightful. I found myself reflecting on many points Pressfield made, and added several quotes to my reading journal. In particular:

"Self-doubt can be an ally. This is because it serves as an indicator of aspiration. It reflects love, love of something we dream of doing, and desire, desire to do it. If you find yourself asking yourself (and your friends) "Am I really a writer? Am I really an artist?" Chances are, you are.

The counterfeit innovator is wildly self-confident. The real one is scared to death."

Reading this was a breath of fresh air. Knowing everyone suffers from self-doubt when they start out is one thing, but hearing that it's OKAY to have self-doubt because—at some level—it's a sign that you're doing what you're meant to do... that was the start of a mindset shift for me.

The last third of this book turned a little too religious for me, which is why I've given it 4 stars rather than 5. There were certainly some good takeaways in this section, but it felt a little preachy, with references to God and more christian beliefs.

Overall, a great read with some insightful bits every artist can appreciate.

[Credo Vita]

A short, intense book naming and personifying "Resistance" - the internal force Pressfield argues sabotages nearly everyone attempting meaningful creative or personal work, showing up as procrastination, self-doubt, and endless distraction.

Rather than offering habits or systems, the book works more like a wake-up call: recognize Resistance for exactly what it is, and show up to do the work professionally regardless of mood. It's beloved particularly among writers and artists, but the core idea applies to any creative pursuit that keeps getting pushed to tomorrow.

Part of the growth-and-discipline shelf on The Credo Vita (thecredovita.com/products.html?utm_so...).

[bhavya kapoor]

Big picture:
Most of us have 2 lives, the life we live and the unlived life within us
It’s a simple guide to initiate your creative journey

Review
Gives a view of what goes into making an artist
A very difficult book to review and explain, pick it up if you want to start your artistic journey

[JJ]

Pressfield names what every creator feels but rarely articulates; the invisible resistance that stands between vision and action. His language is blunt yet liberating, a call to treat creative work as both discipline and devotion. A timeless reminder that the true battle is internal.

[Michael Saunders]

Great book to get you to think about how resistance curtails the creative process and how to overcome it. Part three gets a little esoteric but still informative and a nice way to perceive how the creative process inside of us is driven by higher goals and spiritual needs.

[Ryan Trauman]

Classic book about creative productivity. It's a quick read, and Pressfield offers plenty of useful examples from his own life. Not a lot of depth or practical strategies, but I still found it to be a very encouraging and motivating read

[Reed Jones]

amazing read! one of my favorites. a book i took notes with throughout. very helpful to understand your mind as an artist. recommended to any artists, & honestly anyone else interested

[Seana McCarthy]

I quite enjoyed this book. It was a little slow in some parts, but over all it is a motivating and thought provoking short read with short chapters. Worth checking out if you are on a creative block.

[Diana Dao-Luu]

Easy to read book; very quotable and offers a lot of insight.

[Dylan West]

“…the truly free individual is free only to the extent of his own self-mastery. While those who will not govern themselves are condemned to find masters to govern over them” (Pressfield, 37).

[Claudette Hasenjager]

Parts one and two were brilliant. I felt part three of the book was unnecessary.

[Randy]

Excellent! Easy read but packs a punch. I borrowed it from the library, but will need to get one to add to my collection so I can refresh my thinking on a routine basis.

[Dan]

Highly impactful. I've started making art again, this time with more discipline, as a direct result of the ideas in this book. Grateful to have been introduced to it.

[Marko]

Love Steven's work. This book has been very impactful for me as a creative.

[Katy Osborne]

This book deserves more recognition. It is under-hyped.

[HERIBERTO RANGEL]

This book is an essential read if you are a (creator, artist, blogger, writer, musician), the idea that there is a natural force that Mr. Pressfield call "RESISTANCE" working against you. is such a huge eye opener for anyone with creative projects. I would recommend reading once a year just to remember this.

[Rebecca Gaunt]

will always come back to reread this one. the kind of book you can dog ear and highlight and still come back to gain more perspective.