The war of art book review. how to win your inner creative battles.
To be honest, I’ve heard about this book for over two decades but for whatever reason, I’ve never gotten around to it. The war of art is referenced in numerous books I’ve read over the years, and I’ve finally gotten to it. It was worth the wait but I wish I’d read it years ago.
“You know, Hitler wanted to be an artist. He applied to the Academy of Fine Arts and later to the School of Architecture. Ever see one of his paintings? Neither have I. Resistance beat him…it was easier for Hitler to start World War two than it was for him to face a blank square of canvas”-The war of art.
Here at Resonance News, we are anti-social media entertainment in terms of wasting your potential. Why? Well, studies show that how you spend your Leisure time may determine your happiness. But if your struggle with how you spend your leisure time, The war of art is the book for you, and even if you’re not aware of how you spend it, this book is for you. Published in 2002, Steven Pressfield’s Masterpiece is the holy grail of conquering your inner demons for the sake of creativity and well being.
“The professional self validates. She is tough-minded. In the face of indifference or adulation, she assesses her stuff coldly and objectively. Where it fell short, she’ll improve it.”-A professional does not take failure(or success)personally-The war of art
With social media, the internet, and gaming addiction at all time high, perhaps an updated version or a new book entirely wouldn’t hurt. In fact, a 2018 study revealed that limiting your social media to 30 minutes a day has a great impact on your well being. But as all timeless classics are, this one is still relevant today and perhaps more relevant than when it was first released.
The war of Art is a mirror to the soul, conscious, subconscious, etc of the reader. Every page feels as if it’s psychic reading into why you’ve been procrastinating or rationalizing why not to do certain things in your life.
“Procrastination is the most common manifestation of Resistance because it’s the easiest to rationalize.”Resistance and procrastination, The war of art.
Resistance is the antagonist for the entire book and the thousands of ways our mind employs it when we think of following our purpose. Pressfield delivers esoteric wisdom without being preachy making this an easy yet self-critical read.
“Resistance is not a peripheral opponent. Resistance arrives from within.”-Resistance is internal, The war of art.
The war of art progresses from internal resistance to professionals vs amateurs and lastly, spiritual muses, angels, and the god given talents at the end. Trusting the process, doing the work, not seeking validation, fame or attention are all major themes of the book, which are all contrary to social media culture..
For instance, Pressfield gives a bhagavata gita quote on labor for labor sake; Do not get caught up in the fruits of your labor
“You have the right to work, but for the work’s sake only. You have no right to the fruits of work. Desire for the fruits of work must never be your motive in working. Never give way to laziness, either.”
Bhagavad Gita
Social media validation is the new oxygen to this society. Social media has finally given rise to overnight success. Pressfield’s The war of art describes the hierarchy and territory in his consistent battle of the pro vs the amateur. The amateur is focused on the social hierarchy and validation while the professional is focused on his territory of what’s in front of him.
It doesn’t take long to see that the characteristics of the amateur fit the majority of social media influencers, especially those at the top. To say it was refreshing to see that professionals aren’t determined by their income would be an understatement. This is a book for anyone but especially the underdog, who goes unnoticed. In the end, though, it isn’t about you.
“The first duty is to sacrifice to the gods and pray them to grant you thoughts, words, and deeds likely to render your command most pleasing to the gods and to bring yourself, your friends, and your city the fullest measure of affection and glory and advantage.”- Xenophon, The calvary Commander
The book closes by encouraging the pro to remember the source of his talent being a god or an invisible force. As long as we give recognition to this higher power and develop a relationship with it, it won’t matter if we become rich off our talent. This should be a breath of fresh air for today’s millennials and the generations to follow them but also for the older generations who may feel left behind and unrecognized..
In conclusion, this is the book social media doesn’t want you to read in my opinion. It shows how unhealthy and futile external validation is, a good decade before the rise of social media..I used to get the title of this book confused with Sun Tzu’s the art of war. Yet this book like that one has the same philosophy, you win the battle without fighting. The war is inside you, always.
Verdict: Buy this book..NOW!
Have you read this book, do you plan on reading it?
The 9 greek muses are;
1. Clio: The Muse Clio discovered history and guitar. History was named Clio in the ancient years, because it refers to “kleos” the Greek word for the heroic acts. Clio was always represented with a clarion in the right arm and a book in the left hand.
2. Euterpe: Muse Euterpe discovered several musical instruments, courses and dialectic. She was always depicted holding a flute, while many instruments were always around her.
3. Thalia: Muse Thalia was the protector of comedy; she discovered comedy, geometry, architectural science and agriculture. She was also protector of Symposiums. She was always depicted holding a theatrical – comedy mask.
4. Melpomene: Opposite from Thalia, Muse Melpomene was the protector of Tragedy; she invented tragedy, rhetoric speech and Melos. She was depicted holding a tragedy mask and usually bearing a bat.
5. Terpsichore: Terpsichore was the protector of dance; she invented dances, the harp and education. She was called Terpsichore because she was enjoying and having fun with dancing ( “Terpo” in Greek refers to be amused). She was depicted wearing laurels on her head, holding a harp and dancing.
6. Erato: Muse Erato was the protector of Love and Love Poetry – as well as wedding. Her name comes from the Greek word “Eros” that refers to the feeling of falling in love. She was depicted holding a lyre and love arrows and bows.
7. Polymnia: Muse Polymnia was the protector of the divine hymns and mimic art; she invented geometry and grammar. She was depicted looking up to the Sky, holding a lyre.
8. Ourania: Muse Ourania was the protector of the celestial objects and stars; she invented astronomy. She was always depicted bearing stars, a celestial sphere and a bow compass.
9. Calliope: Muse Calliope was the superior Muse. She was accompanying kings and princes in order to impose justice and serenity. She was the protector of heroic poems and rhetoric art. According to the myth, Homer asks from Calliope to inspire him while writing Iliad and Odyssey, and, thus, Calliope is depicted holding laurels in one hand and the two Homeric poems in the other hand.