192 pages
English language
Published Jan. 11, 2008 by Warner Books.
Basically, a crazy guy writing paragraphs.
Still, I found it helpful--I could relate a lot to Pressfield, and I do think it's worth visiting.
Basically, a crazy guy writing paragraphs.
Still, I found it helpful--I could relate a lot to Pressfield, and I do think it's worth visiting.
I know a lot of people really like this book, and will not agree with me, but - the tone of this book struck me as quite nasty. Resistance is portrayed as a powerful, evil enemy who seeks to destroy the artist (reminded me of the christian devil actually).
I felt a bit bullied as I was reading. For example, the concept of support is sneeringly dismissed as a waste of time - no "professional" artist needs support. The definition of "professional" was twisted to become someone who does the work without caring much about the results. To me, that is the antithesis of professional. True professionals aren't afraid of mistakes, they know they are necessary learning opportunities, but they also attach importance to the results of their work.
It was a very narrow, angry book. Not for me.
Update - Listened to it as an audiobook, which was somewhat …
I know a lot of people really like this book, and will not agree with me, but - the tone of this book struck me as quite nasty. Resistance is portrayed as a powerful, evil enemy who seeks to destroy the artist (reminded me of the christian devil actually).
I felt a bit bullied as I was reading. For example, the concept of support is sneeringly dismissed as a waste of time - no "professional" artist needs support. The definition of "professional" was twisted to become someone who does the work without caring much about the results. To me, that is the antithesis of professional. True professionals aren't afraid of mistakes, they know they are necessary learning opportunities, but they also attach importance to the results of their work.
It was a very narrow, angry book. Not for me.
Update - Listened to it as an audiobook, which was somewhat better.
Un livre majeur pour comprendre et dépasser les blocages que l'on peut rencontrer quand on désire s'atteler à une tâche importante et que tout semble conspirer contre nous. Aussi salvateur face à la procrastination ainsi qu'un grand coup de pieds nous incitant à enfin nous mettre à agir et pratiquer notre "art" quelqu'il soit.
"Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It's a gift to the world and every being in it. Don't cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you've got."
Un livre majeur pour comprendre et dépasser les blocages que l'on peut rencontrer quand on désire s'atteler à une tâche importante et que tout semble conspirer contre nous. Aussi salvateur face à la procrastination ainsi qu'un grand coup de pieds nous incitant à enfin nous mettre à agir et pratiquer notre "art" quelqu'il soit.
"Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It's a gift to the world and every being in it. Don't cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you've got."
