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jack_reid's review against another edition
3.0
The enneagram is a tool for uncovering and shedding your personality. The descriptions should capture and raise your awareness of your ego’s defensive mechanisms developed in childhood. The goal of the enneagram is to transcend the personality construct and live true to yourself, rather than in a defensive manner guided by your ego.
I’d argue that Chestnut’s text and Don Riso’s [b:The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types|311053|The Wisdom of the Enneagram The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types|Don Richard Riso|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320548367l/311053._SY75_.jpg|301982] are the defining texts of the enneagram. They both view the enneagram as a tool for enlightenment and do not contend that it captures all the various facets of a person, just the ego’s defensive personality. However, Don Riso expands the enneagram by adding the levels of development and wings. Chestnut sticks to the original teachings and explains their origins more truthfully than Don Riso, who has an agenda to highlight his original insights.
I found them both useful. Chestnut offered a far better and in-depth description of my type (type 3) while Don Riso nailed the sub-typing. I didn’t feel drawn to Chestnut’s sub-types, which differ from Don Riso’s wing subtyping. But she could argue that I don’t understand myself well enough to recognize which sub-type I am. Perhaps so. Maybe I’ll revisit my conclusion in a year and change my mind.
For readers interested in the enneagram, I’d recommend Riso’s book first. It’s the most famous work and comprehensive. Then, Chestnut’s is worth a read for the different perspectives she offers.
I’d argue that Chestnut’s text and Don Riso’s [b:The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types|311053|The Wisdom of the Enneagram The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types|Don Richard Riso|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320548367l/311053._SY75_.jpg|301982] are the defining texts of the enneagram. They both view the enneagram as a tool for enlightenment and do not contend that it captures all the various facets of a person, just the ego’s defensive personality. However, Don Riso expands the enneagram by adding the levels of development and wings. Chestnut sticks to the original teachings and explains their origins more truthfully than Don Riso, who has an agenda to highlight his original insights.
I found them both useful. Chestnut offered a far better and in-depth description of my type (type 3) while Don Riso nailed the sub-typing. I didn’t feel drawn to Chestnut’s sub-types, which differ from Don Riso’s wing subtyping. But she could argue that I don’t understand myself well enough to recognize which sub-type I am. Perhaps so. Maybe I’ll revisit my conclusion in a year and change my mind.
For readers interested in the enneagram, I’d recommend Riso’s book first. It’s the most famous work and comprehensive. Then, Chestnut’s is worth a read for the different perspectives she offers.
shoelessmama's review against another edition
4.0
To say that I "read" this is not completely accurate. I read the parts that pertained to me... specifically the type 9, 8, 1, 5 & 4 chapters and I skimmed a bit of the chapter on type 6. If I had more time with this book I would read up more on the types I missed because I feel that I have family members that are most likely those types (2, 3 & 7).
susylamb's review against another edition
3.0
This was a deep deep dive into the Enneagram. Some parts were really tedious and sort of “mystic”. But I plugged away at it and understood more about the sub types. Definitely not for a beginner wanting to learn more. Felt like this one really got more into the “negatives” a lot better and really got to see myself. Self analysis is hard!
elizlizabeth's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Very in-depth descriptions of the nine types and their subtypes. It wasn't very approachable or didactic, which I think is important since this is supposed to be for the general public and not mental health professionals.
There are some instances of gender determinism that seemed to come out of nowhere, and likewise some of the conclusions are reached in almost esoteric ways. I think it could benefit of some edition to give it clarity, and make it less repetitive (some paragraphs were literally the same from one chapter to the other).
There are some instances of gender determinism that seemed to come out of nowhere, and likewise some of the conclusions are reached in almost esoteric ways. I think it could benefit of some edition to give it clarity, and make it less repetitive (some paragraphs were literally the same from one chapter to the other).
hllcnsr's review against another edition
4.0
Very useful and insightful but the descriptions and explanations could be more structured and organized. Tidbits of info are scattered and often repeat.
opalia's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
like my pdb literally being chestnutpilled... do i need to say more
grvhppr's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
5.0
One of the best enneagram books out there. Chestnut’s book is a masterclass and a foundational pillar to discovering who you are. However, it does not at identity, but rather, she informs us about how to work towards bettering ourselves out of our type.
This is a pinnacle read for understanding the nuances within type via the subtypes.
This is a pinnacle read for understanding the nuances within type via the subtypes.