The perfect balance of information, entertainment and application. Beth and Jeff have provided a powerfully useful guide to understanding yourself and your spouse through the Enneagram as well as tools for growing in your marriage. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who wants to better understand themselves, and who wants to “be transformed by the renewing of [his/her] mind” (Rom 12: 2) in order to be the spouse, parent, friend that God created them to be. The anecdotal stories are seamlessly balanced with instructional portions. This allowed me to understand the teaching on a personal level, rather than just holding the information in my brain as I am apt to do. It was also wonderful to see a couple that on the outside may appear to have a perfect Christian marriage and family be honest about their personality weaknesses (I refuse to call them flaws) and struggles, how this causes struggle and conflict within their marriage and family, and how they use their knowledge of how each other operates, through their knowledge of the Enneagram, to work through these struggles with grace to end at a more unified and healthy place. This, is a message full of hope.

Unlike the other books on the Enneagram that I have read, the McCords explained “childhood wounds” and core desires/fears as they related to perceived childhood wounds in a clear, understandable manner. This is hugely helpful to me in understanding my own motivations and also in helping me to provide grace to my husband when I do not immediately understand his motivations and actions.

My copy of this book has become marked up, dog-eared, and full of post-its. I find myself often referring to tagged pages to remind me of what I’ve learned and to help me navigate and understand my relationships. The second part of the book, the synopsis of each type, including how to understand yourself and how to navigate relationships of others with a particular type is the best quick reference to Enneagram types I’ve found. I especially love how it helps you to understand how to build others up, encourage them, and make them feel loved.

I’m really thankful that this book is printed on high quality, heavy paper because I’m not sure it would hold up to all my use if it wasn’t. I trust you will be just as thankful after you read it! ( )