The War of Art by Steven Pressfield (2003, Paperback, Reprint)

I'm a full-time singer-songwriter by trade for some thirty years since my early 20's. This book was recommended to me by fellow musician friend. I've read other books about harnessing creativity, managing time and overcoming creative obstacles. Hands down, this is the best I've read. The main premise of the book (at least the point that impacted me most) is that the size, shape and intensity of our Resistance (capitalized for reasons Pressfield helpfully explains) is usually an accurate barometer of how important it is for us to ACTUALLY DO the work involved. I suppose the best argument I can make for the effectiveness of the book is that I began reading it on an Orange County, CA to Portland, OR flight and had to put it down to do some lyric writing on the spot. It's that good. I found the latter chapters about serving the creative gift and the Muses helpful even though my "spiritual" language and orientation is somewhat different from his. That's the mark of a good book ... when the author's specificity is so genuine and unforced that it becomes universal as a result. This is a guy I'd like to have a beer with just so we could talk further about the frustrating. yet ultimately rewarding life in the creative trenches. Highly recommended. I'm buying extra copies to give out this Christmas! Bob Bennett (eBay Review Rules prohibit HTML or outside web site addresses ... but they don't prohibit my suggestion that you Google BOB BENNETT MUSIC to find out more about me if that is of any interest.)

I really like the book and he makes very good points. The first half of the book is dedicated to telling you the different ways you procrastinate from watching t.v. to drinking alcohol. It was a little much. I know what I am doing wrong, that's why I purchased the book. But the second half is much more interesting and helpful.

This book gives you a straightforward theory and then applies it to real life examples and situations which affect all of us who try to create. Whatever your passion is, 'The War Of Art' will fuel it.

This book is the BEST 'self help' book. Unlike others, it doesn't blather on sentimentally for hundreds of pages. Following the format of the 'Art of War', it is extremely easy to access info anywhere in the book--in fact, you can open it anywhere and extract solid, succinct info. However, you'll get the most from it by reading it cover to cover first, in my opinion. His stories illustrate the points well, and he hits you with the hard info--no ambiguity, just straight wisdom. In fact, this book is so good, 5 out of 5 people I handed it to *instantly* found the value in it (by opening a random page, they were all hooked) and they all have bought themselves copies within a week. One, even finished it that very evening!
Why? because it's no-bullshit, and laconic.
I'm working on my MA right now. 2 people in my group that I showed it to have purchased it. It has been the saving grace in the struggle to conquer this MA. I wish I could tell Steven Pressfield how much a difference that book has made in my life. It's brought to light all of my hangups and how much control resistance has had over me and the direction of my life. Hell, everyone lives with resistance, but do we ever notice how subtle it can be? It's unbelievable how much we, and even those around us, who are dealing with their own resistance, bring each other down.

Read this book. It doesn't cost much,it's small, and it's not *wordy*.It's wisdom is worth *far* more than money can buy, let me tell you.