Reviews

The Complete Enneagram: 27 Paths to Greater Self-Knowledge by Beatrice Chestnut

skoppelkam's review against another edition

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informative slow-paced

4.0

"The Complete Enneagram" was recommended as a go-to source by several Enneagram podcasts I've been listening to. In it, Beatrice Chestnut provides an essential overview to the enneagram and its legacy; gives an overview of each type and subtype; and then provides a deep dive into each type, including suggestions for growth. I found this especially valuable when it comes to learning about subtypes, as I have seen more focus on "wings" in pop-culture enneagram work. I confess I did not read this cover-to-cover but know I will return to it as needed 

papuakacie's review against another edition

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5.0

I would recommend doing some online tests and reading before tackling this book, but once I had familiarized myself with the enneagram this book was an excellent more complete and clear descriptor of how the enneagram works and what the types are like. Some of the psychological theory I fundamentally disagree with, but I still think I can draw from the typing and apply my own worldview about what is good and unhealthy and what our responsibilities are within our own types.

nrichtsmeier's review against another edition

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3.0

I will join the chorus of those who gently remind the author that there is no such thing as "The Complete Enneagram." But that notwithstanding, the author does do a valiant effort of addressing type and subtype in thoughtful ways, all under the umbrella of a self-emptying/self-awareness motif as a way of disengaging the wiles of our Enneagon extremes.

The book is a necessary contributor to the Enneagram conversation and avoids the pop culture drivel about an "ancient personality test." For students who wish engage the Ennegram for its real power and spiritual usefulness, Dr. Chestnut has much to offer. For those who wish to validate their bad behavior, fein guilt, and post about it on their Instagram... stay away.

miche29's review against another edition

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Lots of info about the different types of personalities but expected ways of determining your own enneagram

snowyreads's review against another edition

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informative reflective

4.0

howardgo's review against another edition

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4.0

Excellent book. Great information. I only wish there were more real life stories of how people put into practice the ideas in the book.

10_4tina's review against another edition

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4.0

I love a good deep-dive and I'm newly settling into the knowledge of my own number so I appreciated this book a lot. I liked all the detailed explanations of all things enneagram in this book. The book clearly explains the system and each number. The chapters for each number felt a little too thorough (is that possible?) for me, but they were informative. Each chapter discussed motivations, fears, core longings, comparisons to Greek mythology, childhood wounds, directions of stress and growth, and subtypes. After the detailed chapters on each enneagram number, the book ended with a helpful section that clarified the differences between every pair of numbers. It was helpful to see what each pair of numbers had in common, but how to tease out the key differences between the numbers.

lisaebetz's review against another edition

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5.0

This isn’t the best book to start with if you are just beginning to look into the enneagram. This is for the intermediate student who wants to understand more. It is especially good for understanding the subtypes.

jeremychiasson's review against another edition

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5.0

I mean how can you resist a book written by a woman named Beatrice Chestnut? What's more, how can you resist the best book on the Enneagram in existence? Her descriptions of the instinctual subtypes changes everything!

This is practically the only thing I read during the entire month of August, as I tried to refine a Disney personality test I was working on. If that sounds like a frivolous pursuit, you're right. But HEY, I don't choose my hyperfixations, alright? My brain goes where the dopamine flows.

jensoos's review against another edition

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4.0

Such a comprehensive and deeper dive into the Enneagram than offered by many other books. I've read most of the "starter" books about the Enneagram and Chestnut's explanation of many of the deeper concepts was very, very helpful (sub-types and growth paths.) A worthy investment in your self-study growth around the Enneagram.