The War of Art Review
This is one of the most important books I’ve read. I first read it as a grad student in 2015 and have returned, now five years later, to reread it with a new perspective on art, my relationship to that art, and my approach to the professional life I now live with the music.
Author Steven Pressfield is going to push you to get to work immediately whether or not you feel the inspiration to do so. How do I know that he succeeded? Because I wanted to put the book down and start composing before reaching the midway point. He avoids writing in the traditional book structure of chapters and opts in to speaking on separate short topics that are connected by our relationship with Resistance — a theme in the book representing laziness and procrastination.
Some of my favorite topics are:
A PROFESSIONAL ENDURES ADVERSITY
Here, Pressfield gives a personal story on his experience pitching screenplays that lead to rejection and humiliation.
YOU, INC.
This topic points out the importance of the artist seeing themself as a corporation. When we do this, Pressfield states, we’re less subjective in our approach. It’s a different mindset that helps us distance ourselves from our less confident self. If you don’t have a corporation filed yet, make sure you think of yourself as one.
LIFE AND DEATH
The last third of the book takes a turn and heads in the direction of purpose, calling, and spirituality. This section gives the example of Tom Laughlin, the late director, screenwriter, author, educator, and activist. Laughlin taught workshops to people diagnosed with cancer. From his experience, he noticed his clients’ illness would go into remission when they would live out their lives doing what they loved instead of what they might have confirmed to earlier in life. This topic was personal to me as I’ve lost a loved one to cancer. It reminded me how vital it is to pursue our callings at all costs.
Purchase book here.
