Rating: 
Summary: Distortion of reality
Review: I am sure my review will make many (if not all) readers quite upset, but let's do it anyway.
First, the author has gone far, far away from the source of the symbol itself and the "objective" use it can have for us, i.e., spiritual grouwth. That it can be used in different ways, sure, but here, once again, mankind has taken a deep and meaningful "truth" in order to create another "guide", something that gives "fast and easy answers as to Who I am?". If anyone serious is reading this review, and have read Gurdjieff or Ouspenky works directly, go back there and stay there. Knowledge of the self is not given in "Guides", or "How to" books.
Even if you think about the theory of human types, and some possible use of that, you will be forcedo to go into the source, to find out that the theory relates to types of essences, and not personalities, which are totally different. Gurdjieff ideias about types (although he never really talked much about) was one related with planetary influences, which Mrs Palmer knows nothing about (for the serious seeker, again).
I am not contrary to new explorations in any branch of science, quite the opposity, but it makes me think about the level of being of the one (such as Mrs Palmer), who completes leaves off "her science" the true concepts behind the theory of types.
Again, if what you look for is TRUE self knowledge, go somewhere else. If you are the kind that becomes fascinated by any shallow wiseacrings of someone considered to be "an expert" than go ahead and give away your money. Sorry if I am not "impressed" by just another kind of deviation.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the better enneagram books
Review: I first encountered Helen Palmer's "The Enneagram: Understanding Youself and the Others in Your Life" a few years ago and it still holds up fairly well. The Enneagram is an interesting tool for self understanding, and this book presents the nine Enneagram points in a clear-cut way. I found it somewhat disorganized, however, and not partiuclarly well-written. The prose rambles quite a bit. Although there's some good information here, it's sometimes hard to find, and I could think of a number of people who did not quite fit any of the categories, at least as the author describes them. Nonetheless, it led me to learn more about the Enneagram, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.
Rating: 
Summary: For me, the premier text on the Enneagram
Review: I first read this book in 1997 and it was life changing as I discovered that I wasn't so strange after all, but rather one of many. Being an Enneagram type 8, I for the first time understood what coaches, teachers and friends had been trying to tell me for years. Helen Palmer's book helped me for the first time develop an empathy for how others view me and the rest of the world. I've now read at least 8 texts on the enneagram and attended the first International Enneagram Conference in Chicago in 1997. I always choose this book to introduce people to the enneagram. Other books I've read, including the later version of Helen Palmer's, are too objective and practical to impart the understanding and empathy for the types that this book conveys. I've enjoyed all the other books and they've had value, but always start with this one so as to not miss the beauty and warmth of the enneagram.
Rating:
Summary: One Valid Framework to View Personality Types
Review: I found this book one of many excellent frameworks in describing personalities. Originally an esoteric Sufi and Cabalist mysticism, then elaborated on by others such as Gurdjieff, Oscar Ichazo, Claudio Naranjo, Joseph Hart, John Lilly, Riso and Helen Palmer. I think Jung's is most famous that embrace the introvert and the extrovert regarding the four personality types of a thinker, feeler, sensor and intuitive, which presents 8 personalities. And in this book by Palmer (also Riso) on the Enneagram, there are nine personality types. Like Jung's personality types, the Ennegrams presents scores of in-between stages, a fourish-five, a threeish-four and so forth, so you can't fault this theorem, nor the non existent particular attributes believed to be of one personality type to an individual, even when that one fits one of the selected types.
The idea that must be remembered here is a person is not one personality type, but a core type fluctuating between two others, one in stress, the other in non-stress. So each person is continuously traveling between three points, one of them being the core, while at the same time, this person may or may not lean towards one of it's wing points. To repeat, it is a core point fluctuating between two other points, towards one in stress, towards the other in security, while some are heavily influenced by one of its wing points. A Five for instance, is secure in eight, but when stress hits it goes towards seven in order to secure its core of Five, like a rubber band effect. I am a fiveish four, or a four-Tragic Romantic, who acts as a withdrawing observer, from leaning in my wing point as a Five-Observer-Solitude. As a Four, I fall into the secure point of a One-Perfectionist. So under stress, I move towards a Two-Giver, in order to balance out my Four.
You have to accept the system with degrees of relativity. As helpful as this system is, it is not an exact science, and in this sense, there are no absolutes in any formulated structures.
The first four chapters of the book are small and explain the system itself and how it works. The remainder of the book describes in quite detail the nine personality types and is very helpful in observing both the self and others with scores of helpful hints and workable areas that one can work and benefit on by knowing the basic principles and framework of thinking that externally show in actions. By looking in this particular lens of personality types, you can gain greater perception of the person you are dealing with and how you yourself are dealing with the other and make the necessary adjustments. I found myself constantly envisioning many persons I know that really do fit many of the personality types with a large degree of accuracy, including that of myself.
I found what is important is to read the entire book, and try to get a handle on the types. Then go back to the first four chapters and re-read to get a full understanding on how each point is really a base of three points and how the wing points can be a major influence.
Rating:
Summary: spiritualtool
Review: I have strengthened my spiritual connection by reading this book by Helen Palmer Ph.D. Ms Palmer is a pre-eminent authority on the teachings of the Enneagram, and this book, the ENNEAGRAM: UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF AND OTHERS IN YOUR LIFE, is considered by many as a major work on the subject. The subject of the book is succinctly summarised by Ms Palmer in the first paragraph, "The Enneagram is an ancient Sufi teaching that describes nine different personality types and their interrelationships. The teaching can help us to recognize our own type and how to cope with our issues; understand our work associates, lovers, family, and friends; and to appreciate the predisposition that each type has for higher human capacities such as empathy omniscience, and love. This book can further your own self-understanding, help you work out your relationships with other people, and acquaint you with the higher abilities that are particular to your type of mind" Ms Palmer describes the process of learning about our personality as a "stepping-stone to a greater consciousness" serving the double purpose of making us "more effective and happier as a person" and also, teaching us "to set the personality aside in order to allow the next phase of consciousness to unfold". It is this act of setting the personality aside which has been a tool for me in my spiritual relationship. I find that by being able to identify the preoccupations of my personality, I am more easily able to detach from their neurotic tendencies. Further, I am able to attach to my spiritual centre becoming more of the person I will to be. This practice has encouraged me to dissociate from the preoccupations that underlie my particular personality. Ms Palmer states, "When we cannot detach attention from a recurring preoccupation, when we lose the ability to observe our own behavior in a dispassionate way, then we are under the control of our own habits and have lost freedom of choice." Further, "The unmasking of blind spots, defense mechanisms, and cognitive dissonance within our own character structure is a vital issue for anybody who wishes to lead a psychologically mature life." Ms Palmer distinguishes her approach to the Enneagram, "It is, however, of great interest to me that we have become so preoccupied with naming what our attention is attracted to that we have neglected to look at how attention is organized when we perceive the information that interest our type." As such, this is not a handbook of personality. "It is not within the scope of this book to discuss even basic internal practices. Practices are best learned with an experienced teacher, in a supportive setting, rather than out of a book, where even the most precise language is sure to fall short of what is necessary to gain access to an altered state of mind. This book is about the preoccupations that are characteristic of different types of people, so for our purposes, it is important only to point out that the way in which each type pays attenttion to its preoccupations can be both a burden and a blessing in disguise." For centuries, accomplished mystics in the monotheistic religions have maintained that the first step in the spiritual journey is to see one's self. Teresa of ?vila, St, (1515-1582) in her book "The Way of Perfection" teaches of the great spiritual benefit of self-detachment, both interior and exterior, from all things created. The process of the enneagram as presented by Ms Palmer has provided me with valuable tools to strengthen my spiritual commitment. If you are interested in personality, spirituality or the incorporation of the ancient ideas of the enneagram with twentieth century clinical psycho-therapy, this book will interest you.
Rating:
Summary: spiritualtool
Review: I have strengthened my spiritual connection by reading this book by Helen Palmer Ph.D. Ms Palmer is a pre-eminent authority on the teachings of the Enneagram, and this book, the ENNEAGRAM: UNDERSTANDING YOURSELF AND OTHERS IN YOUR LIFE, is considered by many as a major work on the subject. The subject of the book is succinctly summarised by Ms Palmer in the first paragraph, "The Enneagram is an ancient Sufi teaching that describes nine different personality types and their interrelationships. The teaching can help us to recognize our own type and how to cope with our issues; understand our work associates, lovers, family, and friends; and to appreciate the predisposition that each type has for higher human capacities such as empathy omniscience, and love. This book can further your own self-understanding, help you work out your relationships with other people, and acquaint you with the higher abilities that are particular to your type of mind" Ms Palmer describes the process of learning about our personality as a "stepping-stone to a greater consciousness" serving the double purpose of making us "more effective and happier as a person" and also, teaching us "to set the personality aside in order to allow the next phase of consciousness to unfold". It is this act of setting the personality aside which has been a tool for me in my spiritual relationship. I find that by being able to identify the preoccupations of my personality, I am more easily able to detach from their neurotic tendencies. Further, I am able to attach to my spiritual centre becoming more of the person I will to be. This practice has encouraged me to dissociate from the preoccupations that underlie my particular personality. Ms Palmer states, "When we cannot detach attention from a recurring preoccupation, when we lose the ability to observe our own behavior in a dispassionate way, then we are under the control of our own habits and have lost freedom of choice." Further, "The unmasking of blind spots, defense mechanisms, and cognitive dissonance within our own character structure is a vital issue for anybody who wishes to lead a psychologically mature life." Ms Palmer distinguishes her approach to the Enneagram, "It is, however, of great interest to me that we have become so preoccupied with naming what our attention is attracted to that we have neglected to look at how attention is organized when we perceive the information that interest our type." As such, this is not a handbook of personality. "It is not within the scope of this book to discuss even basic internal practices. Practices are best learned with an experienced teacher, in a supportive setting, rather than out of a book, where even the most precise language is sure to fall short of what is necessary to gain access to an altered state of mind. This book is about the preoccupations that are characteristic of different types of people, so for our purposes, it is important only to point out that the way in which each type pays attenttion to its preoccupations can be both a burden and a blessing in disguise." For centuries, accomplished mystics in the monotheistic religions have maintained that the first step in the spiritual journey is to see one's self. Teresa of Ávila, St, (1515-1582) in her book "The Way of Perfection" teaches of the great spiritual benefit of self-detachment, both interior and exterior, from all things created. The process of the enneagram as presented by Ms Palmer has provided me with valuable tools to strengthen my spiritual commitment. If you are interested in personality, spirituality or the incorporation of the ancient ideas of the enneagram with twentieth century clinical psycho-therapy, this book will interest you.
Rating:
Summary: A book that can change your view of our companions on earth.
Review: I read this book about six months ago. It wowed me right away. The thing that most impacted me was the density of the writing. In my category type, Observer, every sentence, every word mattered. I can only surmise that this might possibly be true for other types as well. I have since referred the book to others. Some were enthusiastic; others were not. I understand that this book is prominent in the Sufi religion. I have not converted, but I think they made a good choice for a book of guidance.
Rating:
Summary: Thank you, Helen
Review: If you are at all interested in the Enneagram as a system for self-discovery, read Helen's groundbreaking book. In my opinion, it is the definitive text on the subject. While many, many writers have since published books on the Enneagram, Helen's treatment still rises above the rest by sharing the voices of those she's taught and interviewed over the years. I have been amazed at how few other writers have followed her example - letting the representatives of each type speak for themselves. Individuals remain, as always, the best teachers of how their minds, hearts and psyches truly work. Although nothing can replace the "oral tradition" of actually hearing individuals tell their stories, by utilizing such testimonials Helen's book maintains the sacredness of the teachings of the Enneagram while at the same time making them available to a curious and searching public. While Helen herself might admit that the book is "less graceful" in parts, she has d! one an excellent job of introducing the complexity and depth of the system in a way that preserves the integrity of the whole. I found the book transformative; it began what will certainly prove to be a lifelong study of personality and essence and I am forever grateful to her for this gift.
Rating:
Summary: A great book and really strong medicine.....
Review: Palmer's work is very penetrating and deep. Although the text seems unorganized compared to other enneagram books, I think it is a necessary evil to go deep into a particular issue before letting it go. When you go deep, it does throw off the readers. Another interesting point about her book is the rather unflattering descriptions of some of the darkest aspects of each type. However when the descriptions of a type get a bit too "negative", it is up to the readers to determine the degree of "fixation" they are in, and whether such descriptions apply to them personally or not. I don't think Palmer means to say any one of a certian type will definitly have the most negative characteristics described in the book. She simply shows us "some possibilities" that we might want to be on the lookout for. Personally, I think the more we can accept the dark sides of a particular type, the more compassion we can develop for ourselves and others. I would suggest pick up the "Love & Work" book for a clean, organized, but perhaps more surface description of each type and their interactions. Read this book when you want to dig deep into the range of possibilities for each type.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Interesting Concept
Review: The enneagram is based on the concept that there are nine basic personality types and that we all are essentially driven by one of nine basic sins. As children our personlities are formed, using natural talents and predispositions, in order to create a safe place to live and a safe style of coping with life's hardships and stresses. This volume, while profoundly comprehensive, is a bit hard to follow for the casual student. I also discovered that many of the "types" have very similar characteristics, making it difficult to differentiate between them. I also finished reading with the sense that Ms. Palmer prefers certain types to others. For instance, what inspired the seemingly random discussions of pairs in love and at work? Some types got a lot more ink that others. Interesting book for the reader with a serious interest in enneagrams, but a chore for the simply curious.
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