"Getting Around the Humans" Review

Published by The Aboite Independent, SEGway News, and Evangelical Church Library Assocication

Getting Around the Humans is a guide to social interactions among those with differing personality types. By dividing humans into three defining desires—riches, honor, and wealth (better described as entertainment, control, and relationship)—Shoebridge prescribes personality types and describes how the various types can best interact.

This book is primarily anecdotal rather than scientific. In fact, so many metaphors are used (animals, kingdoms, soccer, and even Tolkien references) that it can get a bit confusing. The majority of the book describes the relationships between each of the personality types with its counterparts. This results in fifteen relationship descriptions, which become too similar to easily distinguish from each other. The reader can easily lose track of which personality type corresponds with which defining desire, therefore causing uncertainty about what types are being discussed

Overall, however, the categories are logical and accurate. Shoebridge’s personality types are realistic, often easily identifiable in real-life social settings. The three defining desires attributed to the personality types are thoroughly explained and applied to everyday life. Becoming familiar with the interactions presented by Getting Around the Humans will be useful for readers in their professional and social environments.  This book is suitable for ages 13 and older but most useful for adults/professionals 18 and older.  The book also includes a detailed index.