I recently came across Jacksonville writer Frank DeLuca’s new book, A Field Guide to Humans: Enriching Relationships through the Enneagram. The Enneagram is a model that combines ancient wisdom with modern psychology to assign numbers one through nine to different personality types. Frank‘s book is about how to use this tool to improve our relationships with other people.
Analyzing personalities is not high on my list—it’s spring and there’s mowing to do. But it was hard to resist the eye-catching plumage of Frank’s Field Guide. The cover sports bright rows of faces designed by local artist, Nancy Bardos. Her lighthearted-style perfectly sets the tone of the book and captures the essence of each Enneagram “type.”
I flipped through the pages and was surprised by how the book hit home. I recognized friends and loved ones—“The Harmonizer,” “The Helper,” “The Challenger.” I even recognized myself. I’m a Six, “The Guardian.” At my best: an exquisite planner. In my “contracted” state: A worrier. Bingo!
Frank’s Field Guide is for the casual Enneagram “birder” and the longtime enthusiast. It’s quick-reference style distills the main concepts without being reductive. “This approach,” Frank writes, “is akin to pouring the ocean into a teacup. Even a small amount of water is true to what the ocean is.”
Frank makes for a trusty guide to humans. He draws on long experience as a family therapist, leadership coach, and professional member of The International Enneagram Association. As the title Field Guide suggests, this book is a tool. While it didn’t help me with spring chores, it did equip me with more patience—and tips!—for navigating humanity’s strange-bird ways. And that, Frank says, is the point. As he writes at the book’s end: “Kindness is Key.”
Author Event: Saturday, June 10, at 1pm, Eileen Bobek, owner of Jacksonville’s Rebel Heart Books, will interview Frank about his newly released book, at Jacksonville Library, 340 West C Street.