Rating: 
Summary: Praise from a Mastermind Rational (INTJ)
Review: I first heard of the Keirsey test in my Organizational Behavior class, back when I was going for a business degree. I'm in history now, but Keirsey opened up a door for me, the exploration of temperaments, why people are the way they are, how many ways they can be different, and what occupations they are suited for. If only people could find out how fascinating this topic is, it would make them be more analytical.The first two times I took the Keirsey Test, I was classified as an Inspector Guardian. That cannot be, I thought. I decided that I would garner more information from the book rather than the web site, so purchase the book I did. I read the book, and have found myself as a Rational, an INTJ--that's Introverted, iNtuitive, Thinking, and Judgmental, or Mastermind Rational. Now that fit me more to a tee. I trusted logic, didn't care too much for rules, although I grudgingly followed them when I didn't have a choice, I am calm and detached, efficiency, autonomy, thinking in the long-term, skeptical, and like sci-fi books/movies a lot. And people like me are in short supply, so that makes me a rara avis of sorts. Cogito ergo sum--that's my motto. Keirsey goes through each temperament in detail, citing examples from books, movies, and historical figures. Within each temperament, he goes through the four types. There is a further section of leadership and companionship. I found out my opposite number is a Champion Idealist, or ENFP, Extraverted, iNtuitive, Feeling, and Probing. I don't think I'll ever find that rarest of birds to fill that hole in my soul, but at least I know what I need to look for. I learned more about my Rational cousins, such as Aristotle, Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, and Thomas Jefferson, and the latter has become my favorite president as a result. Most of my other heroes have been Idealists, such as Gandhi, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Martin Luther King Jr. A pity we comprise 15-20% of the total population. Hopefully that fraction will be a proportional 1:1:1:1. That's not to say I pooh-pooh the 80-85% who are Guardians or Artisans. Paul McCartney, Marilyn Monroe, Dario Argento, and Madonna are Artisans whose art I appreciate very much. As for Guardians, I'd probably like the friendly Guardians the best, as my late grandmother was a Provider Guardian. Keirsey also helped me explain why I was swept away by Bill Clinton, because he's a Performer Artisan. That guy was the life and soul of the party, optimistic, a bit of a playboy, but at least I know why. And although I disagreed with Reagan's policies, I have to admit, he was an amiable enough guy. Yes, he's an Artisan as well. The test itself and the scorer are in the book, as well as a mini-assessment in the back, which found me to be a Rational first and an Idealist second, which fits, since Rationals are closet romantics.
Apart from finding myself, whenever I watch a movie or TV program, I have always gotten in the habit of typewatching characters by temperament, which adds to the dimension of cinematic analysis. I've found myself liking Rational and Idealist characters such as Russell Crowe in A Beautiful Mind and Juliette Binoche in Chocolat. Movies with these temperament types as stars would make watching movies more enjoyable, especially foreign films or little known productions from Miramax. An invaluable book, which if more people read, might help ease tensions and make a better world. So people, accept others for who they are and don't try to change them, because to quote that sailor-cum-philosopher, "I am what I am." And to the rest of you, as Polonius told Laertes, "to thine own self be true."
Rating:
Summary: Please Understand Me II
Review: I find this 1998 undate on the original 1978 version a clearer, and thus more helpful tool in discovering and explaining temperament types. It is truly an accurate tool. I have tested people with it across cultures, and upon reading (translating into French) the profile, it fits the people. One person, an INFJ, thought it was going to say things that fit everyone. At one point she was shocked, stopped me, and asked me to read it over again. She had contracted cancer and believed it to be due to the stress related to conflict at home and at the work place. Her "sybiotic union" with her children, intuitive assessment of the goodness or evil of people coming into her life in the hospital where we worked, her very perceptive and intelligent approach to life, all described her well.
Another person, upon hearing her ESFJ profile translated, began to cry. It was as though she had never heard anything good about herself in a long time.
Another friend, a nurse in pediatrics, is an ENFP to a Tee. She was a barrel of laughs, especially in her analysis of the motives of her superiors. I would have to tell her, "Come on now, Anne, so what?" Then she would become very apologetic for her excessive interest in herself: just like ENFPs are described (though I didn't think her apology or assessment necessary of accurate - she was not being overly selfish). We had alot of fun. Also, her daughter had a horse, an extravagant item for a person in that country. And the mother fluxuated between being a stern parent and being her daughter's best friend. A lot of fun!
For myself, the INFP in the first book fit me better than in the second rendition where it doesn't fit at all. When I took the test again, I came out 8-2 E, 15-4 N, 18-2 F and 15-5 P. Either I'm changing, or my objectivity in taking tests is becoming skewed. I would like to know if David Keirsey has changed his opinion of these two personality types. In the second book, the ENFP fits me. But in the first, things like "they do better in college than in high school, learn other languages (five others for me, and counting), go to far off places (is 5000 miles far enough away), enjoy writing (this review for example, and five novels that will never be published - lousy, junk!, but fun to write), and the basic idealistic stuff - all fit me.
I would like to see him comment on his personal opinions about the different types. In the first book I sensed a prejudice against SJs - SJs and NFs are the primary people to have Pygmalion projects. In the second book he expresses much appreciation for the faithful friends from this group.
In the first book he expresses much appreciation for the ISFP-type people. I would like to see ESTJs and ISTJs depicted with more detail.
I have personally found ENFJs and ESFJs as very interesting people. (One, and ENFJ head night nurse, is an incredibly good person. She is friendly, wants to help everyone in the hospital, feels guilty if she doesn't, leads as easily as she listens and follows, etc.) (One of the ESFJs I have known is perhaps the best hostess that I have ever seen. If she invites you to a dinner party, you'll have a great, interesting, delicious, inventive, time with appropriate food and drink for the occasion.) The ESFPs that I have known bring huge amounts of energy into the room. Perhaps the best friend I have ever had is an ISFJ.
His recommendations about mating are interesting. Of the five women that I have seen recently, there is an ISFP, an ENFP, an ESFP, an ISFJ, and an INTJ that I have had the chance to observe. He would recommend an NT for an NF. I must admit I am more than a little drawn toward her. The ISFP is hard to get to know. The ENFP is brilliant and interesting. The ESFP I could never trust: she flirts with everyone. ha! The ISFJ is a great friend, and has the funniest manner of manipulating everyone who comes into her life, and they know it and let her get away with it. She could never appreciate my causes, though, and she lives in a foreign country. The INTJ is intelligent, articulate, interesting, perfect, young, beautiful, spiritual, competent, has good values, etc.
This is a very helpful tool in helping people understand the downside of their own personalities with a view to better adaptation at home and in the workplace.
There are also very interesting thoughts about mating and child rearing. I could go on and on.
Rating:
Summary: Perfect for this ENFJ...
Review: This book was exactly what I was looking for and it has my interest peaked to learn more. Keirsey does an execelent job explaining personality theory all the way back to Plato and how the different theories that he presents are connected in a way that would make sense even to the beginner. His explanations of the types are both clear and detailed. Everything is layed out in an easy to understand fashion, yet there is plenty of information for the beginner and someone experienced with Myers-Briggs type tests. I understand myself better after reading his description of my type. Lightbulbs went off when I read about my boyfriend's type. Not only does he explain each type, but he also explains how the different types interact most often and best in love-relationships. He also covers parenting and leadership among types.
Rating: 
Summary: Get the original
Review: The major difference between the original and version II is that the author and his followers have turned the subject matter into a kind of religion in version II. Like all religions, it needs to have many layers and become more mysterious and require interpretation from its clergy. Feh. The first book was clear and to the point. This new and improved version is needlessly complex and bulky. Mr. Kiersey, next time, just change the color of the cover and use bigger type font if you need more pages. I rate the original with 4.5 stars...this version gets a 2.
Rating: 
Summary: useful, but not user-friendly
Review: I use this frequently in counseling couples. The text, however, is not particularly user-friendly...a bit too much verbiage. I want it to cut to the chase, simplify. However, as a quick-and-dirty tool, it's pretty good.
Rating:
Summary: Beautify Our Current Living Environment
Review: The Character Sorter is the least useful in testing people who they are, because not everyone really knows oneself and not everyone really understands the definitions of those psychology words while making choice. The best way to recognise who you are is to read this book. At least you can "feel" who you are after thoroughly understanding the definitions of "S, N, P, J, F, T, I and E", "abstract and concrete languages" and "cooperative and utilitarian tools". We can tell someone whether he/her is Artisan, Guardian, Idealist or Rational, but it is in deed difficult to tell whether he/she is I or E, P or J. Mating, friendship...any kind of relationship is very similar to some extent: the relationship success and failure are both mainly caused by the personality. However it is a pity that even if we learn about this and we try to understand others, no matter how developed we are, we still can not get along with everybody, since we have to have two well developed people or it does not work, in addition, it is hard for us to change ourselves either. To this point, I am highly recommending this book: it is a book for everyone to read; it lets you know which distance and which angle are the best ones for you to appreciate beauty of varied persons and that might save a vital relationship from failure...
Rating: 
Summary: Not quite sure what to make of this...
Review: People can't be sorted into types, right? Everyone knows that. The Enneagram, which was the first personality categorization system I encountered, just proved this further. Many people don't even fit into it, and although I do, I've moved about three points since my early childhood, which is supposed to be impossible. I wasn't expecting much better from this book.
I read over the short descriptions of the letters and decided I was probably an INTP. I took the quiz, and sure enough, that's what I was. When I turned to the section about NTs, I was surprised at how accurate the description was. It included some things that wouldn't have been easy to extrapolate from my answers. Keirsey does get a little too abstract sometimes, getting into all kinds of odd symbolism that's not really connected to the system. Still, I was impressed.
The problem is that Keirsey presents this informaton as if it has some practical use. It isn't easy to categorize other people unless you know them very well. I also can't be sure how accurate any of this is--I could easily be something of a fluke. Even If someone can be definitively identified, what can be done with that information? It isn't specific or reliable enough to be anything more than a complicated parlor game. However, this is still an interesting read. After all, we INTPs like systems, even useless ones.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent follow up to Please Understand Me
Review: If you've ever felt like no one understood you, then I highly recommend this book. Once you have learned the essence of each of the four types presented (Artisan, Guardian, Rational, and Idealist) you will see the entire world in a new light. It will add a new dimension to all of your interactions with others. When I read the description of my type, INFJ, in the first book, I was astounded. Here I thought that there was no one else like me and that there was something seriously wrong with me because I didn't want to be like everyone else. The description so completely captured the essence of my character that I became hooked on the subject.
Guardians, who I feel were somewhat poorly represented in the first book, may be comforted by their more positive portrayal in this book. This book provides detailed descriptions of the various facets of the different types and is right on the mark for most people.
As far as I can tell, the only serious flaw that this book has is the needless redundancy. It seems that every section has an identical introduction for each type. This is of little consequence, since it does not detract greatly from the book's overall message. I recommend reading both of the Please Understand Me books.
Rating:
Summary: If you can own but one MBTI book, make it this one
Review: The flaws with this book abound. It is an observational interpretation of the 16 Myers-Briggs types and his 4 subgroups rather than a clinical analysis, but that is not the problem. Even if I believe his 4 categories, the Artisans, Guardians, Idealists and Rationals are cohesive enough as categories, his postulate that Artisans and Idealists are opposites as are Guardians and Rationals.
Given the quadruple dichotomy upon which Myers-Briggs typology hinges, this is a reasonable conclusion, but a comprehensive questionaire to determine one's type provides not only the diagnosis of each characteristic, but also the degree. For instance, Rational INTJ and Guardian ISTJ belong to opposite groups according to Keirsey, but a survey in which 50 questions determines the sensing vs. intuitive perception might only separate the two types by 2 points. Such a survey might find that one person answered 26 questions as an N might, hence is an INTJ whereas the other might answer 26 as an S might, therefore being an ISTJ. The two would be separated by a mere 4 percentage points and yet would fall into opposite camps. Would it then be wise to conclude that one person is strong on logistics and weak in strategy and the other vice versa?
A second problem with the book, though the author should not be blamed for it, is that a reader might stereotypically assume one gender possesses one temperament or another. ISTP's typically gravitate toward mechanical or athletic pursuits, which have not always been within women's reach, so it would be easy to assume this type is mostly male. Likewise it might be easy to think that an ENFP is female, as intuition and feeling are generally associated with women, but there is little, if any, scientific data to corroborate this claim. Keirsey lists the estimated percentage of the population in which each type occurs and is likely correct. He makes no such estimates about particular types, but does conclude that more women have Feeling judgement than Thinking, which is questionable. Possessing intuition perception or thinking judgement is one thing; developing it is another. These traits cannot be determined from a distance. Such is always the difficulty in observational analysis. All that aside, Keirsey is still the valedictorian of MB school of thought. His premise is that once we learn and understand a person's temperament, it is important to evaluate that person on the terms of his or her temperament. An ISFP and an ENFJ do not willingly pursue the same goals and do not hold the same values, so any attempt to measure the two by the same criteria would shortchange both. Here he succeeds. Please Understand Me is not for the uninitiated. Although Keirsey explains the fundamentals of the Myers-Briggs types admirably, there are better primer sources than this. He expects that the reader be familiar with MBTI and offers a useful purpose for that knowledge, which human resource specialists have utilized for years. Parents and educators can and should benefit from this same knowledge.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books ever written on human relations.
Review: This book will "nail" you to the wall. You will be reading along and saying to yourself " yeah, that's right, I thought I was the only person who thought that way. I'm not crazy after all." GET THIS BOOK!
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