Understanding the Enneagram: The Practical Guide to Personality Types

I have read significant parts of about 5 or 6 Enneagram books, and this is, by far, the best one I have read. It not only helps the reader understand the workings of the Enneagram and people of the different Enneagram types, it also gives good, very kindly written (but firm and honest) non-obvious advice to people of the different types that can be implemented in their day-to-day lives. It is extremely well-written--The great intelligence of the authors is quite evident. Full of very important insights and revelations, I think it is definitely one of the most important books of modern times. I know I am failing to convey how immense an achievement this book is, and how much positive potential its insights have to truly bring about a positive spiritual revolution. I think this book is so amazing that I suggested that the two local library sytems where I live buy it. --I'm happy to say that they did. There is no way I can really convey to you adequately what this book is like. You will have to check it out for yourself.

The enneagram system has made a huge impact on me and been very insightful - both about myself as well as my interactions in relationships with others. I own probably 10 books about the enneagram personality type theory by a number of different authors, and I find Riso and Hudson to be the best experts in the field. Of their numerous books I find this their finest to date. It's a revised edition of the 1990 "Understanding the Enneagram" which was itself excellent.This would make a fine introduction yet also has a lot of advanced material. The book contains a good questionnaire for finding your type, thorough descriptions of each type, insight into the levels of development (which is unique to these authors), practical recommendations, and the spiritual dimensions of the types.Unlike other authors I've read on the subject, I find Riso and Hudson direct and easy to understand. All in all a very complete and accessible guide to the enneagram. I've also seen these authors in person and would recommend the experience.

I only wish that I had read this book before getting involved with my now ex-wife (an unhealty Three). The traits that I learned about her personality type and others has given me new insight into "sizing up" people, even thogh I was no slouch at it before. I also was able to profit from the knowledge in this book in the workplace, and I believe that it helps one to recognize what's going on under the surface of tempermentally distinct people. My guess is that this won't replace general psychology anytime soon, but runs in a parallel path with many intersecting points of reference. Anyone wishing to glean personal insight or a quick thumbnail sketch of aqquaintances will find this book rerwarding and entertaining.

What I like best about this book is that it helps you to differentiate between types that are often confused, like Two and Nine. It explains how these types, in some ways similar, are in other ways very different. Another thing I like about the book is that the many charts show how the author approached his nine levels for each type. It's a very intricate system with a set of laws devised by the author.