About the Book:

"Pressfield is a riveting storyteller and his advice might put some spine into you." — Seattle Times

The Art of War meets The Artist's Way in this no-nonsense, profoundly inspiring guide about breaking through blocks that hold you back and disciplining yourself to do important work and pursue your calling. Exactly what the title says, this book is aimed at creative artists, especially writers. But it contains lessons for anyone pursuing growth in any area who feels blocked by self-sabotaging behaviour or failure to act. Think of The War of Art as tough love … for yourself. It tells you how to define, understand, and defeat the inner demons that hold you back from your greatness… and propels you to the other side.

"Creative work is… a gift to the world and every being in it. Don't cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you've got." — Steven Pressfield

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 endeavour – be it starting up a dream business venture, writing a screenplay, or painting a masterpiece?

"Resistance has no strength of its own. Every ounce of juice it possesses comes from us. We feed it with power by our fear of it. Master that fear and we conquer Resistance." — Steven Pressfield

In this powerful, straight-from-the-hip examination of the internal obstacles to success, bestselling novelist Steven Pressfield shows you how to identify, defeat, and unlock inner inner barriers to creativity.

"The most important thing about art is to work. Nothing else matters except sitting down every day and trying." — Steven Pressfield

Subtitled Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles, this book is an inspirational, funny, well-aimed kick in the pants that shows how to reach the highest level of creative discipline.

What people say:

"As I closed The War of Art, I felt a surge of positive calm. I now know I can win this war. And if I can, so can you." — from the foreword by Robert McKee, screenwriting guru

"I've never read a self help book that wasn't fatuous, obvious and unhelpful. Until The War of Art. It's amazingly cogent and smart on the psychology of creation. If I ever teach a writing course this would be one of the first books I'd assign." — Jay McInerney, author of the Gen X classic Bright Lights, Big City (which he adapted for the screen)

"The War of Art is a real find in the overcrowded field of self-help books. It stands out with its humor and its wisdom from a man who has faced his own demons and come out swinging. If you just take one or two of the suggestions in this book, you'll be moved to get up, to get going and to try to create goals for your life. I don't just recommend this book for writers, but for anyone who wants to be a little bit better than they were the day before." — Gloria Naylor, author of four novels, including The Women of Brewster Place

"This brilliant and challenging little book gives the most cogent reason for why we procrastinate about the most important things in our lives. It is both inspiring and daunting, and a must-read for people who ever find themselves avoiding what they know in their hearts they should be doing." — David Allen, productivity consultant and the author of Getting Things Done

"A vital gem… a kick in the ass." — Esquire

About the Author:

Steven Pressfield has been an enthusiastic golfer since the age of ten. His debut novel, The Legend of Bagger Vance, was made into a movie starring Matt Damon and Will Smith. He is the author of the hugely successful historical novels Gates of Fire, Tides of War, and Last of the Amazons. and a well-known screenwriter whose screenplays include Above the Law and Freejack. A former Marine, he lives in the Los Angeles area.