Customer Reviews

The Enneagram Made Easy: Discover the 9 Types of People

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am extremely impressed by the accuracy with which this book describes the nine enneagram types. I have been a student of the enneagram for 15 years, and of all the books I have read, this is by far the best in summarizing the essence of each type. It is also very easy to read, and the material is presented with a gentle humor. Through the authors' eyes, we can see our gifts and foibles clearly, with compassion, and with an appreciation of the cosmic humor inherent in the human condition.

Baron & Wagele's "The Enneagram Made Easy" is-- for my money-- one of the best introductory level books available for someone who's just beginning to study the Enneagram, or who just wants some "bare bones" coverage to satisfy their curiosity about this ancient personality typing system. Although I have studied the Enneagram for many years, I often refer to this book when trying to illustrate basic concepts to someone who has expressed an interest.

The authors have put together a light hearted and highly readable book about the basics of the Enneagram. Each of the nine "types" has its own standardized chapter, which includes a "personality inventory" checklist to help readers determine their type; then coverage of the ups and downs of that type; relationships, relating, typical thoughts, childhood, parenting, careers and free time. The chapters also include brief coverage of "wings," as well as a section of "practical suggestions and exercises" (for making life easier) for each type.

The final 20 or so pages of the book covers the interaction and overlaps between the Enneagram types and Jungian psychological types, specifically making comparisons with the popular Myers-Briggs typology system.

The book is illustrated throughout with Elizabeth Wagele's generally funny-- often poignant, sometimes silly cartoon drawings.

Do keep in mind, however, that this book presents a VERY superficial and simplistic outline of a profoundly complex and thorough psychological "personality mapping" and philosophical system. If you are seriously interested in studying and understanding the complexities of the Enneagram, I highly recommend that you also invest in one of Riso/Hudson's or Helen Palmer's more thorough books.

Final thoughts: Excellent (9.5 bookmarks out of a possible 10); keeping in mind that this is an introductory text and by no means a "thorough" work on the Enneagram. A quick and easy read, and well worth it!

If you've been meaning to figure out how the enneagram personality typing system works, but felt intimidated by weighty tomes on the subject, THE ENNEAGRAM MADE EASY is the book for you! Packed with amusing cartoons that describe aspects of each enneagram personality type on almost every page, this book provides the most interesting and entertaining introduction to the enneagram anyone could hope for. A chapter is devoted to each enneagram type, so you can fully explore: the Perfectionist, the Helper, the Achiever, the Romantic, the Observer, the Questioner, the Adventurer, the Asserter, and the Peacemaker.

I love the way THE ENNEAGRAM MADE EASY includes fascinating sub-sections in each chapter such as: "What's Hard About Being a Four," "Typical Thoughts of a Seven," and "How to Get Along With Me." These fun profiles make it easy to spot one's friends, family members, co-workers and even oneself -- and to find ways to make life easier.

Whether you have never before studied the Enneagram, or are intimately familiar with it, THE ENNEAGRAM MADE EASY is a book you'll feel refreshed to refer to again and again. I highly recommend it!

-- Cynthia Sue Larson
author of AURA ADVANTAGE: How the Colors in Your Aura Can Help You Attain What You Desire and Attract Success

I own at least ten books on the enneagram and this is my hands down favorite (followed closely by Baron & Wagele's Are You My Type?). I recommend it highly, and have made a pest of myself sharing it with friends, relatives, everyone. Although many of my friends have initially dismissed the enneagram as new age psychobabble hocus pocus, and refuse to think that they could fit into a type, once they see themselves in the wonderful cartoons, they change their minds and want to know more. Baron & Wagele treat the enneagram with great insight and humor -- The cartoon drawings depicting the nine types of people are so accurate and will have most people saying, "Yep, that's me" (or "Yep, that's so&so"). For each of the nine types, the authors list traits when a type is at its best and worst, a personality inventory checklist, comments on how to get along with the type, what each type likes and dislikes about being that type, how the type drives itself crazy, how the type acts as children, as parents, and at work, things that type would never dream of doing, and so on. The information is presented primarily in bulleted lists, so it's easy and quick to read -- and the cartoons are so witty. In addition, there are several cartoons throughout the book that depict each of the nine types "before the dinner party," at "the dinner party", "during coffee break", and "after the dinner party" that make the enneagram come to life.

If you're looking for a heavy, scholarly treatise, this is not your book. If you're looking for something fun, entertaining, yet surprisingly full of information, this is for you.

"The Enneagram Made is Easy" is making an honest attempt at breaking down a rather complex system to give the uninitiated a brief understanding of the Enneagram. The problem with that is that it makes the Enneagram look trivial and the value of the system is completely lost. Instead of showing what a beautiful mirror and map to the complexity human soul this system is, "The Enneagram Made Easy" helps reinforce stereotypes of the types and probably will turn people away from exploring the Enneagram deeper. I think that Riso and Hudson's "The Wisdom of The Enneagram" is a much better introduction to the system. It is also much better written than this book.

The book gives a very easy-to understand and amusing introduction to the Enneagram, explaining the basics of the system as well as how it relates to the Myers-Briggs type indicators.

After taking classes and reading other books on the enneagram, I discovered this one and tossed out all the rest. It's exactly what I need to remember who I am and how best to deal with those many other types who cross my path. This is a keeper!

I was forced to read this book for Senior Religion, but I actually found out so much information about other people and how to get along with them. While reading through it, it helped me see why I act the way I do. It is very easy to read. Full of little cartoons and easy to identify with. I especially recomend it to parents who struggle to understand their children. This might offer a new perspective on why they are they way they are.

I like the fun approach and easy style, I've even used it to talk to my kids. The picture of the 9 types seated around the party table up front with their thought bubbles is priceless! All the subtlety of the enneagram is there, this is no "cookie-cutter" approach. Ignore the lists of famous people and enneagram types though, the enneagram is about core reactions to life not gossip column stuff .

I disagree with the reviewer who said that the enneagram is vague - Myers-Briggs doesn't deal with dynamics like the enneagram does. If you're not sure of your type then look at the way you react when you are 'together' vs when you are stressed.

Through humor and cartoons, Baron and Wagele have joined talents and taken a mystical personality system and demystified it. Whether you are interested in a surface understanding or a mastery, this is the best book available to introduce you to the transformative capacity of the Enneagram. Buy two. One for yourself and one for your best friend!