This brisk (~3 hour) audiobook is part pep talk and part philosophy. The book is broken into three sections: defining resistance (i.e. how the author describes the various thoughts, feelings, and distractions that keep us from our work), “going pro,” or how we overcome resistance, and 3) how to tap into, “the muse,” after going pro.
Pros:
- There are plenty of nuggets of wisdom throughout the book. This includes, but is not limited to, the idea that doing the work is the most important thing of all.
- The book is short, and can be purchased cheaply; I bought it on Audible for $5.
- Since the book is so razor-focused on what the author calls, “resistance,” he describes it (along with its symptoms) in many ways. While the writing can be repetitive at times, it also means that one or more of the examples are very likely to resonate with the listener.
Cons:
- The author has some “off-the-wall” ideas about creativity and pursuing your passions / art (e.g. that mental illness, crime, and the malaise of the human condition would be eliminated if we all followed our passions / overcome “resistance”). To be frank, I found this reductive and bordering on offensive.
- If you are looking for examples tailored to a specific field (e.g. how to get an agent), this is not the book for you.
- I could have done without some of the religious language and ideas in this book (e.g. that the listener should pursue their passion as a means to glorify God). I don’t think the proselytizing was was overt as some other reviews suggest, but it is definitely present.
- (nit-pick) I wouldn’t go so far as to say the chapter markers in the audiobook were nonsensical, but they weren’t particularly well implemented either. For example, part three of the book started about 1/3 of the way through one of the chapters.
Conclusion:
The book can be a wild ride at times, especially with regards to a number of the author’s assertions about what keeps artists from their work. With that being said, the combination of length, cost, and core message means “The Art of War,” is a passable (if imperfect) book for artists who need a pep talk.
Check it out: here.
You may also enjoy…
- “Your Inner Critic Is A Big Jerk,” by Danielle Krysa
- “Writing Down the Bones,” by Natalie Goldberg
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