Art Isn’t Just Play: The War of Art Book Review

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

Author: Steven Pressfield

Pages: 168 pages

ISBN: 9780446691437

Genre: Nonfiction (Self-help, Creativity, Writing)

Publisher: Warner Books

Release date: April 2003

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Looking for the motivation to kick procrastination and creative block out the door? Then The War of Art will work for you.

The book approaches the act of art from a how-to perspective. Asides from the practical easy-to-do steps highlighted in his book, Steven Pressfield also gives insights to mythical beings; what the muses really do and how they work.

There are several hints of spiritualism, something one can’t help but relate with on a surreal level. I know that a couple of revelations resounded with my soul while reading The War of Art.

Overall, Pressfield makes his readers understand that every day is a battle of wills to get creative. The most important question is: which battle do you succumb to? Procrastination and its siblings? Or the willpower of your muses?

The secret is that you get to choose. The War of Art teaches you how to do so continuously.

While reading this book, I noticed certain similarities between it and The Author’s Craft and On Writing. It could be because of its straightforward tone and writing style, or just the explanation of how easy being a creative can be – if you follow the unspoken rules of the craft.

If you are in need of constant ideas and how to get rid of procrastination, and the devil of resistance, then you should read this book.

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