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

by Steven Pressfield
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles cover
Good Books rating 4.29
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  • ID: 6566
  • Added: 2025-11-23
  • Updated: 2025-11-23
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
beta.thestorygraph.com · Unknown · 2025-12-11
inspiring 3.68

The War of Art is praised for its motivational content, with many readers finding it inspiring and helpful in overcoming creative blocks. However, some critics find the language overly dramatic and abstract, making it difficult to connect with the message.

The War of Art has received a mix of positive and critical reviews. Many readers appreciate the book's motivational content, finding it inspiring and helpful in overcoming creative blocks. They highlight the book's ability to provide a kick-in-the-ass pep talk that they knew they needed. The book is also praised for its beautiful writing and the presence of a muse that guided the author. However, some critics find the language overly dramatic and abstract, making it difficult to connect with the message. They mention that while there are some gems in the book, the rest was difficult to get through due to the use of abstract language and dramatic expressions.

Quick quotes

    This clearly states what I needed to hear. I recommend this for you if you procrastinate!

    This book is amazing! It made me pause to wonder and reflect on my views about the world and myself.

    A kick-in-the-ass pep talk I knew I needed. And will need again.

bobsbeenreading.com · Unknown · 2022-05-23
insightful 4.50

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield is a concise guide to overcoming creative resistance. It encourages readers to fight their inner demons, embrace their muse, and commit to their artistic pursuits with professionalism and dedication.

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield is a short but powerful book that delves into the struggles of creative individuals. Pressfield personifies 'Resistance' as an enemy that prevents us from pursuing our creative endeavors. He shares wisdom from a lifetime of battling this resistance, encouraging readers to treat it as a formidable opponent that must be fought continuously. The book is divided into three parts: Resistance, Combatting Resistance, and Beyond Resistance. In the first part, Pressfield introduces the concept of Resistance and how it manifests in various forms like self-doubt, procrastination, and rationalization. The second part distinguishes between amateurs and professionals, emphasizing the importance of commitment and discipline in overcoming Resistance. The final part takes a more mystical tone, exploring the source of creative inspiration and the role of the muse. Pressfield's insights are presented in short, readable chapters, making the book easy to digest and reflect upon. Overall, The War of Art is a valuable resource for anyone looking to understand and overcome the barriers to their creative potential.

Quick quotes

    Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the un-lived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.

    The amateur plays for fun. The professional plays for keeps.

    When we sit down day after day and keep grinding, something mysterious starts to happen. A process is set into motion by which, inevitably and infallibly, heaven comes to our aid.

thoughttranslation.com · Unknown · 2015-02-21
insightful 4.50

The War of Art is a concise guide to overcoming creative blocks, with insights on understanding and combating 'Resistance'—the fear and hesitation that prevent people from pursuing their passions. The book offers practical advice and motivational strategies to help readers break through barriers and achieve their goals, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to unlock their creative potential.

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield is a slim but powerful book that delves into the concept of 'Resistance'—the internal forces that hold us back from pursuing our creative endeavors. The book is divided into three sections: understanding Resistance, combating it, and exploring what lies beyond it. Pressfield's insights are drawn from his own experiences as a writer, and he offers practical advice and motivational strategies to help readers overcome their fears and hesitations. The book is written in short, to-the-point chapters, making it easy to digest and refer back to for occasional refreshers or pep talks. While some sections may resonate more with certain readers than others, the overall message is universal: that everyone has the potential to break through their creative blocks and achieve their goals. The War of Art is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to unlock their creative potential and live a more fulfilling life.

Quick quotes

    Understanding Resistance is important; Pressfield spends a third of THE WAR OF ART discussing his definition of Resistance, another third on ways to combat it, and the final third of the book discussing what lies beyond Resistance.

    Pressfield hits it right on the head when he notes that people are afraid of success.

    This style makes THE WAR OF ART easy to digest and, more importantly, easy to refer to for the occasional refresher point or pep talk.

bookreporter.com · Unknown · 2003-04-01
encouraging 4.50

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield is a direct and practical guide to overcoming the internal resistance that hinders creative work. The book emphasizes the importance of adopting a professional mindset to consistently produce art, and it explores the theological implications of the creative process.

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield is a no-nonsense guide to overcoming the internal resistance that often prevents creative work. The book's central thesis is that the biggest obstacle to creativity is not the act of creation itself, but the struggle to sit down and start. Pressfield identifies this resistance as a powerful, subtle, and often rational force fueled by fear. He argues that by adopting a professional mindset—working daily, committing fully, and mastering one's craft—one can overcome this resistance and produce meaningful art. The book also delves into the theological implications of creativity, suggesting that the creative process involves a unique gift from one's inner genius, which can be nurtured through consistent effort. The practical advice and empowering tone make this book a valuable resource for anyone seeking to break through creative blocks and win their inner battles.

Quick quotes

    The name of the enemy is Resistance, that pernicious inner tug which takes on any form necessary to keep us from achieving the things we know we should.

    The way to overcome, as Pressfield puts it, is to “turn pro.

    Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It’s a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got.

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