Rating: 
Summary: A bit too easy
Review: "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.
Rating: 
Summary: Lighthearted but Informative Introduction to the Enneagram!
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: Lighthearted but Informative Introduction to the Enneagram!
Review: 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!
Rating: 
Summary: 5 is not an "observer" (narrow critique on 1/5 dichotomy)
Review: Baron mixes up the "other" observation of a 1 with the "objectivity" (this word has different definitions to 1s and to 5s, not to mention the other types) of a 5. As 1s and 5s are a kind of inversion of each other, this seems easy to do (for a 1, not a 5). 1s objectivity is subordinate to certain imperatives/"absolutes" (thus a tendency to judge everything based on those absolutes) 5s objec. is inate, but we must notice or know about a certain perspective (ie. noticing a minor plot hole). 1s also tend to be the specialists of the enneagram (ie. knowing everything there is to know about combinatorics), whereas 5s tend to know a little about alot, trying to use the new perspectives to help give us an insight. -- This was badly phrased, hope you understand. Don't read this if you're a disintegrating 5 hitting the lower levels. It's not fun huddled in a corner thinking "I could be a 9 because of.....but wait, I could be a 6 because I'm looking to this book to help me figure this stuff out....but wait, is this the nihilism (again, varying definitions) that shows up as a 5 drops down levels?.....etc.... That said, this book can be seen as a look into the "concrete"/"objective" observation style.
Rating:
Summary: my favorite (and most often shared) enneagram book
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: my favorite (and most often shared) enneagram book
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: fresh perspective
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A Refreshing Look at Nine Personality Types
Review: 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
Rating: 
Summary: A very good book on the Enneagram
Review: It is a very good book on the Enneagram. It describes each type clearly. The problem is with the Enneagram itself. Each type is such a vague broad brush of humankind, that most people find themselves having a personality that is equally diversified among at least 4 different types. Thus, the Enneagram is one of the weakest tool to analyse your own personality. I strongly recommend instead the Myers-Briggs tool as described in "Please understand Me."
Rating:
Summary: Resting as Who You Are
Review: Many of the books on the Enneagram seem to come from a point of view of what is wrong with you and your type. My understanding is that the original Enneagram which was handed down verbally was intended to help the individual discover and accept who they are so that they can relax into being who they are. Although this book is simpler than many of the others, it is also much more positive in keeping with the original verbal lineage.
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