This is a solid Enneagram book and one I will definitely reference in the future. The book goes in depth with the breakdown of personality types, then into the individual Enneagram numbers. While this may be a little advanced for a novice, I found the book extremely useful.

As someone who is fairly new to enneagram, I find this resource to be really interesting and I'm looking forward to go back to it again and again. There were parts that I didn't quite follow, but I don't think that is to the fault of the author, just me being novice. It's an enjoyable read and really interesting subject matter.

Did I grab this book just to look up what is has to say about my Enneagram? Yes, yes I did. That being said this book is quite informational. I enjoyed the quotes thrown in throughout. The chapters were nice and I enjoyed the diagrams, but I also wish there had been more? The blocks of text were a bit tough to get through at times and maybe either better formatting or breaks would have helped. The information given was but but not revolutionary, I would recommend this for someone who really wants to know more and dive deeper but not the average person.

I really enjoy the enneagram! I have been studying it on and off for about seven years now, so when I saw this book pop up as an option to request, I was super excited. It was very informative, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to learn more about the enneagram!

This is the most comprehensive Enneagram book I’ve ever read. I knew I was a 7, but I had no idea how much of my personality was tied to that number. The book describes in great detail what it actually means to live your life as the enneagram number you are most connected to. I read my section more than once and took many notes. This is for sure a reference to bookmark and come back to. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

What an excellent deep dive into the enneagram! This is the definitive book on the enneagram and I loved how thoughtfully Beatrice Chestnut explained every subtype. I’ve read a good amount about the enneagram over the years but have had some “is it this or that” doubts and this book put all of those to rest. Any question that one could have about the enneagram, identifying your own type, or getting to the root of a type’s motivations is answered in full in this book.

The Complete Enneagram by Beatrice Chestnut is one of the most insightful and practical books I’ve read on personality and personal growth. As a big fan of the Enneagram, I appreciated how this book goes beyond the traditional overview of the nine personality types by exploring all 27 subtype combinations in depth. This approach presents the Enneagram in a fresh and highly detailed way that adds a new layer of understanding, even for readers who already have a basic knowledge of the system.

One of the greatest strengths of this book is how accessible it is. Whether you are completely new to the Enneagram or already familiar with the nine types, the explanations are clear, engaging, and easy to apply to real life. Chestnut does an excellent job of showing how our motivations, fears, and behaviors shape the way we relate to ourselves and others.

What makes this book truly stand out is its focus on growth and self-awareness. Rather than simply labeling personality traits, it provides meaningful insight into why we think and act the way we do and offers a clear pathway toward personal development. Many readers will likely recognize themselves deeply in these pages, and that level of understanding can be genuinely life-changing.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in psychology, self-discovery, or improving relationships. It’s a fabulous resource that not only helps you understand your personality more clearly, but also encourages real personal growth and transformation. This is a book you will want to read and revisit periodicaly throughout your life.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

The original 2013 book sits on my bookshelf as one of my most trusted Enneagram guides. This 2026 re-release is timely as it provides an accessible tool for us to look inside ourselves and do the work to wake up in a world that has become increasingly numb through digital devices, social media, and a constant churn of news and sound.

Beatrice Chestnut is one of the best Enneagram practitioners out there. I'm excited to dive back into the way she distinguishes the subtypes within the nine Enneagram types, and gives us a more granular way to reflect on our motivations, behaviors, and pathways to grow. The journey never ends, and that's the joy of life!

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

Thank you St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Essentials and NetGalley for the ARC!

This is a book ideal for both beginners and experts, a comprehensive breakdown of each of the 27 Enneagram subtypes and an exploration of how this aspect of your existence can be harnessed to improve quality of life. It is rich with research and pushes beyond that of an online test. Context and framework is provided in the introduction and then each of the nine core types is outlined before delving deeper into their three subtypes. The book concludes with a comparison Appendix to ensure readers are clear about their type and can leave with a plan for self improvement.

Within each Archetype section, there is an in-depth explanation of the traits, quirks, and setbacks that make it up, and then an elaborate gameplan for how to better understand what this means and how to evoke positive change. The Enneagram is like a web and Chestnut takes care in demonstrating how it is woven.

Chestnut utilizes astute examples that relate to the masses and explains the context of each to remind/inform those who may be unfamiliar. Subheadings within the explanations keep readers grounded as they digest copious amounts of information. There’s evidence of thorough research with a fair amount of quotations backed up by authorial interpretations and citations that label specific anecdotes.

While there are redundancies, they are beneficial to the reader, as this is a dense subject with several aspects to track. By relaying certain traits, readers can make direct comparisons without having to call back to previous knowledge. It also reinforces the teachings, drilling the characteristics into the readers’ minds, effectively creating experts in the subject. This is a book that can easily be read in sections, especially when people already know about their own subtype, so the core values should be reiterated throughout.

A suggestion I have for readers totally unsure of their Enneagram type: read the opening until the Archetypes begin and deduce the few types that resonate most with you. Mine were One, Five, and Six. Then jump to the Appendix, which focuses on comparing types, and read about those numbers, paying extra attention to the sections that directly compare your options to each other. This will help better orient readers before diving into the bulk of the text, which is a comprehensive breakdown of each type. The Appendix can always be reread after if you are still unsure.

This is a really good book on the Enneagram. In fact, it's one of the better books I've read on the subject. I had studied the Enneagram in several different situations over the years, but I never knew where these concepts came from The author does a really nice (and much needed, in my opinion) job of explaining where the concept of the Enneagram came from and its history in getting into the American conversation and culture.

The author goes deep on the different categories within the the Enneagram, complete with subsets of each "number." I learned a lot from this book and highly recommend it.

The Complete Enneagram by Beatrice Chestnut is one of the most comprehensive and insightful books available on the Enneagram. Whether you're new to personality typing or have studied the system for years, this book offers a level of depth and clarity that makes it an invaluable resource. Chestnut goes far beyond basic type descriptions, exploring the motivations, fears, instincts, and growth paths that shape each personality type.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its thoroughness. Each Enneagram type is examined in detail, allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and others. The inclusion of the instinctual subtypes adds another layer of nuance, helping explain why people of the same type can sometimes appear very different from one another. Chestnut presents complex concepts in a way that is both accessible and thought-provoking.

The author's expertise is evident throughout the book. Rather than relying on stereotypes or oversimplified descriptions, she provides balanced and nuanced insights that encourage genuine self-reflection. The material feels practical as well as informative, offering readers tools for personal growth rather than simply categorizing behavior.

Another highlight is the book's focus on self-awareness and transformation. Chestnut emphasizes that the Enneagram is not just about understanding personality patterns but about recognizing opportunities for growth. The discussions surrounding emotional habits, defense mechanisms, and developmental paths make the book especially valuable for readers interested in personal development.

What elevates The Complete Enneagram to a five-star read is its ability to combine psychological insight with real-world applicability. Readers are likely to come away with a greater understanding of their relationships, communication styles, strengths, and challenges. The book encourages compassion for both oneself and others while providing meaningful guidance for continued growth.

Overall, The Complete Enneagram is an exceptional resource that is informative, engaging, and deeply insightful. Beatrice Chestnut delivers a thoughtful and well-researched exploration of the Enneagram that rewards both casual readers and serious students of personality theory. Highly recommended for anyone seeking greater self-understanding and personal growth.

Instant classic. Highly insightful into personality types and social psychology. Excellent read for anyone interested in learning more about behaviors and personalities. I enjoyed.

I was drawn to The Complete Enneagram by Beatrice Chestnut out of a personal love for learning and the ongoing process of self-discovery. I found the book to be exceptionally well-structured with chapters that were easy to follow and apply to daily life.

For my particular Enneagram type, many aspects of the book truly hit the mark. It provided a powerful space to reflect on who I was in the past and the healthy skills I have cultivated to become an integrated adult in the present moment. While some descriptions did not align with my personal experience, I recognize that these are generalizations, and not every aspect of the system will fit everyone perfectly; regardless, the book has been an effective tool for mapping out where I’ve been, where I am now, and where I plan to go. I have already begun writing out new goals based on the insights I gained.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to ponder their journey thus far and thoughtfully consider where their path may lead next. Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book.