This one is for anyone who wants to be a creative – for that matter, anyone with dreams unfulfilled should read Pressfield’s little gem. You hear me talk about resistance a lot. Here’s the book I got that from. It’s a hugely important book, and one I strongly recommend.
Author
camilledimaio
3 years ago
This book came highly recommended in a writing class, so I was eager to read it. And I’m glad I did! There were so many true things said here that I have not heard in writing circles. Some of them are difficult, especially as it encourages us to shed the scapegoats we build around us to justify why we’re not doing something to our potential. Lots to ponder, lots to underline, and I’ll definitely be sharing it.
Author
luiginobottega
3 years ago
We are creators of “love”. A love we transmit with our actions to the world (others are us, we’re part of the whole, what we do to others we do to ourselves) getting back from it the feeling of caring for and connecting to our Self (us and the whole).
This energy we get in return, feeling good about being useful, creating love and loving the experience of being, further feeds our internal positive energy.
Inspiring book!
Author
mericknhulrik
3 years ago
I loved this book. Still I may have rated it 4.5 stars as in very good but I will error on generosity.
The main insight I got from this book was: resistance is the enemy. Resistance to sitting down and doing the work. Resistance to practicing your art on a regular basis.The war of art is against resistance in every deceptive way it raises it’s head. Often resistance is procrastination.
The professional produces art on a regular basis. The amateur does not do the work because he does not love it enough. The professional does not wait to be inspired to create but expects to be inspired sometime along the process by “the muse”.
But also one thing I liked about this book was his candor in writing about his own failures and insights in being a writer (Artist).
One thing I could relate to was his idea of not prostituting “for meat” the God given gift by being a hack. A hack is someone who does not write from his own well of inspiration and genuine in what he finds interesting and good but throws his efforts all behind tropes and guessing at what the audience will like more now. This could be a lot of writers today actually but never the greatest.
This book was written in a way that only a consummate artist could have written it.
Author
davidminutillo
3 years ago
This book literally pulled me out of the rat race and showed me that to be successful in art, you have to treat it like a job and grind. And by God has it had an amazing effect on my life. I quit my 9-5, wrote a book and have just self-published it all around the world. If you are a procrastinator or self-doubter and you’ve always wanted to create, then this book is for you. Can’t recommend it enough!
Author
cherylcolwell
3 years ago
Steven Pressfield’s insights have encouraged me again and again to put my butt in the chair and just write. This is a must-read for authors
Author
petermallon
3 years ago
This book will make you think, every time you look in the mirror
Author
kirby
3 years ago
I’ve seen this book recommended by all types of people, but especially by creatives. If you, like me, have ever beaten yourself up over your “lack of discipline” or procrastination – then you, more than anyone, are who needs to read this book. It will fundamentally change the way you view the concept of discipline and therefore could change the way you chase your creative dreams. I plan to read this book once a year merely as a reminder of the perspective I should wield in all things.
Author
azimuth223
3 years ago
I have carried this book with me at different times in my life, to remind me why I write and commit to self-expression. His words are at times bracing, but in the way of a beloved tough teacher, the kind of teacher I hoped to impress when I was a younger man. The thing is, the most impressive thing about working with this book is just continuing the workaday slog towards becoming a professional. Can be helpful for more than just artists, too.
Author
jeremiahsay
3 years ago
Easy-to-read. To-the-point. Words are penetrating. I’ve consolidated some of the most important quotes found in the book (if you are interested, here’s the link).
A much needed tough love for everyone who wants to turn pro. The War of Art is of my favorite go-to books whenever I feel like giving up on my endeavor. I have read it 3 times so far and I’ve learned something new each time I read it. 5/5.
Author
lorirmiller
3 years ago
This is one of my all-time favorite books. I read it a couple of times a year, especially when I’m struggling to produce something that’s hard and requires more of me than what I think I can handle. Creating something is an act of bravery, and Pressfield’s book reminds me that there will always be resistance to work worth doing. My job is to show up and be ready to slay that resistance!
Author
neilpasricha
3 years ago
I’ve been hearing about this book for years and finally read it on a flight. Absolutely amazing. A completely simple guide to battling “Resistance” – the single word Pressfield uses to describe the set of emotions and barriers preventing you from doing work you love. Within pages you’ll want to drop everything and tackle a creative project you’ve been thinking about starting. An example? This reading club email. I’ve been thinking about it for a while and The War of Art was the perfect push.
Author
byindy
3 years ago
Not just for writers, this book is for anyone putting off the things they know they were born to do.
Author
anitarodgers
3 years ago
I bought this book out of curiosity – not because I have stumbled onto Pressfield and his website and Writing Wednesdays blog posts. In fact, I ignored it for a while. Then I started to notice that many writers I admire mentioned it or its concepts, or quoted it. Despite the fact that I am usually disappointed by books on writing and often find them to be ‘nothing burgers’ I found a used copy of War of Art and bought it.
Definitely was not what I expected. For those who are looking for a definitive ‘you fit slot a into slot b’ type advice, this book is not for you. You will not find methods of writer faster, or exercises in breaking writer’s blocks, or prompts to inspire your imagination.
To me, the book was about the soul of writing. What it does to your soul and what it will do to your soul if you ignore your calling. It is not practical advice, it is metaphysical advice. It is not food for the mind but food for the soul.
For me, it was what I needed to read at that moment. It was serendipity. It was the shift in perspective that I needed to make. It also answered questions that had driven me up the wall. I am glad I bought it and read it. I am changed because I did.
If you are looking for answers to the deeper questions not about writing but about art, about your place as an artist, about submerging into your art, this book may be for you. If you are looking for a nuts and bolts, just the facts, and tell me what to do kind of writing book, then you probably won’t appreciate this book.
Author
devonweaver
3 years ago
The best book I have ever read. If you want to create anything or have big dreams, read this book!
Author
barbracampbell
3 years ago
I listened to the audiobook of this and I honestly think I would have enjoyed the print version more with the way it’s very segmented.
Anyway, I’d probably recommend this book to a newer writer or someone who is struggling to make the jump from hobbyist to professional. A lot of it seemed very basic to me. You want to be a writer, then sit down and write. It was full of the kind of tips I needed when I was getting started. I write full time now and have a good grasp on most of what he said.
Author
senseioddsox
3 years ago
If you need motivation this little book will help keep the resistance at bay. Writtten by the man who wrote the Legend of Badger Vance. It’s focused on writers block and keeping a writer’s creative habit flowing, but easily translatable to any creative endeavor, like practicing an instrument. Lots of simple tips and different ways to see how you stop yourself from doing what you really enjoy.
The book is a series of short stories or just little perspective changers that honestly has helped me be more creative. I didn’t expect much, but was happily surprised, and recommend it to friends.
Author
jamesonketchum
3 years ago
I have a handful of books that I feel like I should read once every six months to a year in order to stay inspired. This is one of those books. Pressfield presents these amazing and simple ideas but in a way that most creatives haven’t seen before.
Author
josephjohn
3 years ago
I heard a lot of hype about this book, which is probably why I gave it such a low rating. Pretty disappointed. It claims to be Sun-Tzu for the soul. It’s not. Amazon reviewer James Charles says it best: “Here is this book in a nutshell: what do you want to do? Have discipline and do it. I just saved you ten dollars. You’re welcome.”
Author
carriedaws
3 years ago
If your problem in getting your art out to the world is the discipline of doing it or fear of what others will think, then this is a great book to find inspiration. It does have some good thoughts and great one-liners, but overall just wasn’t motivating for me where I currently am.
This one is for anyone who wants to be a creative – for that matter, anyone with dreams unfulfilled should read Pressfield’s little gem. You hear me talk about resistance a lot. Here’s the book I got that from. It’s a hugely important book, and one I strongly recommend.
This book came highly recommended in a writing class, so I was eager to read it. And I’m glad I did! There were so many true things said here that I have not heard in writing circles. Some of them are difficult, especially as it encourages us to shed the scapegoats we build around us to justify why we’re not doing something to our potential. Lots to ponder, lots to underline, and I’ll definitely be sharing it.
We are creators of “love”. A love we transmit with our actions to the world (others are us, we’re part of the whole, what we do to others we do to ourselves) getting back from it the feeling of caring for and connecting to our Self (us and the whole).
This energy we get in return, feeling good about being useful, creating love and loving the experience of being, further feeds our internal positive energy.
Inspiring book!
I loved this book. Still I may have rated it 4.5 stars as in very good but I will error on generosity.
The main insight I got from this book was: resistance is the enemy. Resistance to sitting down and doing the work. Resistance to practicing your art on a regular basis.The war of art is against resistance in every deceptive way it raises it’s head. Often resistance is procrastination.
The professional produces art on a regular basis. The amateur does not do the work because he does not love it enough. The professional does not wait to be inspired to create but expects to be inspired sometime along the process by “the muse”.
But also one thing I liked about this book was his candor in writing about his own failures and insights in being a writer (Artist).
One thing I could relate to was his idea of not prostituting “for meat” the God given gift by being a hack. A hack is someone who does not write from his own well of inspiration and genuine in what he finds interesting and good but throws his efforts all behind tropes and guessing at what the audience will like more now. This could be a lot of writers today actually but never the greatest.
This book was written in a way that only a consummate artist could have written it.
This book literally pulled me out of the rat race and showed me that to be successful in art, you have to treat it like a job and grind. And by God has it had an amazing effect on my life. I quit my 9-5, wrote a book and have just self-published it all around the world. If you are a procrastinator or self-doubter and you’ve always wanted to create, then this book is for you. Can’t recommend it enough!
Steven Pressfield’s insights have encouraged me again and again to put my butt in the chair and just write. This is a must-read for authors
This book will make you think, every time you look in the mirror
I’ve seen this book recommended by all types of people, but especially by creatives. If you, like me, have ever beaten yourself up over your “lack of discipline” or procrastination – then you, more than anyone, are who needs to read this book. It will fundamentally change the way you view the concept of discipline and therefore could change the way you chase your creative dreams. I plan to read this book once a year merely as a reminder of the perspective I should wield in all things.
I have carried this book with me at different times in my life, to remind me why I write and commit to self-expression. His words are at times bracing, but in the way of a beloved tough teacher, the kind of teacher I hoped to impress when I was a younger man. The thing is, the most impressive thing about working with this book is just continuing the workaday slog towards becoming a professional. Can be helpful for more than just artists, too.
Easy-to-read. To-the-point. Words are penetrating. I’ve consolidated some of the most important quotes found in the book (if you are interested, here’s the link).
A much needed tough love for everyone who wants to turn pro. The War of Art is of my favorite go-to books whenever I feel like giving up on my endeavor. I have read it 3 times so far and I’ve learned something new each time I read it. 5/5.
This is one of my all-time favorite books. I read it a couple of times a year, especially when I’m struggling to produce something that’s hard and requires more of me than what I think I can handle. Creating something is an act of bravery, and Pressfield’s book reminds me that there will always be resistance to work worth doing. My job is to show up and be ready to slay that resistance!
I’ve been hearing about this book for years and finally read it on a flight. Absolutely amazing. A completely simple guide to battling “Resistance” – the single word Pressfield uses to describe the set of emotions and barriers preventing you from doing work you love. Within pages you’ll want to drop everything and tackle a creative project you’ve been thinking about starting. An example? This reading club email. I’ve been thinking about it for a while and The War of Art was the perfect push.
Not just for writers, this book is for anyone putting off the things they know they were born to do.
I bought this book out of curiosity – not because I have stumbled onto Pressfield and his website and Writing Wednesdays blog posts. In fact, I ignored it for a while. Then I started to notice that many writers I admire mentioned it or its concepts, or quoted it. Despite the fact that I am usually disappointed by books on writing and often find them to be ‘nothing burgers’ I found a used copy of War of Art and bought it.
Definitely was not what I expected. For those who are looking for a definitive ‘you fit slot a into slot b’ type advice, this book is not for you. You will not find methods of writer faster, or exercises in breaking writer’s blocks, or prompts to inspire your imagination.
To me, the book was about the soul of writing. What it does to your soul and what it will do to your soul if you ignore your calling. It is not practical advice, it is metaphysical advice. It is not food for the mind but food for the soul.
For me, it was what I needed to read at that moment. It was serendipity. It was the shift in perspective that I needed to make. It also answered questions that had driven me up the wall. I am glad I bought it and read it. I am changed because I did.
If you are looking for answers to the deeper questions not about writing but about art, about your place as an artist, about submerging into your art, this book may be for you. If you are looking for a nuts and bolts, just the facts, and tell me what to do kind of writing book, then you probably won’t appreciate this book.
The best book I have ever read. If you want to create anything or have big dreams, read this book!
I listened to the audiobook of this and I honestly think I would have enjoyed the print version more with the way it’s very segmented.
Anyway, I’d probably recommend this book to a newer writer or someone who is struggling to make the jump from hobbyist to professional. A lot of it seemed very basic to me. You want to be a writer, then sit down and write. It was full of the kind of tips I needed when I was getting started. I write full time now and have a good grasp on most of what he said.
If you need motivation this little book will help keep the resistance at bay. Writtten by the man who wrote the Legend of Badger Vance. It’s focused on writers block and keeping a writer’s creative habit flowing, but easily translatable to any creative endeavor, like practicing an instrument. Lots of simple tips and different ways to see how you stop yourself from doing what you really enjoy.
The book is a series of short stories or just little perspective changers that honestly has helped me be more creative. I didn’t expect much, but was happily surprised, and recommend it to friends.
I have a handful of books that I feel like I should read once every six months to a year in order to stay inspired. This is one of those books. Pressfield presents these amazing and simple ideas but in a way that most creatives haven’t seen before.
I heard a lot of hype about this book, which is probably why I gave it such a low rating. Pretty disappointed. It claims to be Sun-Tzu for the soul. It’s not. Amazon reviewer James Charles says it best: “Here is this book in a nutshell: what do you want to do? Have discipline and do it. I just saved you ten dollars. You’re welcome.”
If your problem in getting your art out to the world is the discipline of doing it or fear of what others will think, then this is a great book to find inspiration. It does have some good thoughts and great one-liners, but overall just wasn’t motivating for me where I currently am.