Customer Reviews
Thinly Veiled Contempt for the Poor 
2008-07-26
Having slogged through this book, I feel I must submit a review to counter all of the breathless fanatacism. I found this book, not through being on the Best Seller list, but through a libary search for books to teach financial literacy to kids.
I am sure that with more than 2000 previous reviews, I can't say much that hasn't already been posted. But I'll add to the voices encouraging anyone who finds himself enchanted by this book to do a little research on the author. It took me very little time surfing the internet to learn that the book is not a "true story" and that the author's credentials as a real estate investor as suspect. These two things alone undermine the credibility of the advice contained herein.
I will admit that the book does use plain language to explain a few basic financial concepts that many readers will be seeing for the first time. In fact, I am sure that the Best Seller status of this book is due to so many people reading a self-help book on money for the first (and likely the only) time. It is even possible that this book has caused many people to examine their spending habits a bit, so I won't begrudge that. But no one is going to become a real estate tycoon from reading this book because the author is incredibly vague about the specifics of wealth building and gives almost no information about other kinds of investments. He brags about being very lucky, but like all anecdotal stories of wealth building, it shows only one winner. There is no perspective on how many people end up losers doing the same things.
What really bothers me about this book is that the anti-intellectual tone will draw people in to the author's personality cult. Once enchanted, the reader will be tempted to go along with the idea that poor wage earners deserve their lot in life and can be unapologetically exploited by "smarter" people following the author's approach. What, I wonder, does Kiyosaki think would happen if everyone tried to get out of the "Rat Race" as a result of his vision? Don't the rich owe any kind of gratitude to the people who make their lifestyles possible?
I'm afraid this entire book comes off as a big rationalization for being (and wanting to be) rich, no matter who gets hurt. If you are willing to pay this man for his business advice (and products....sheesh!), then I'm afraid you are willingly becoming just another step on the ladder he is climbing. After all people wanting to get rich are okay to exploit, right?
A simple explanation of how to make your money work for you 
2008-07-25
This is not a get rich quick type book but it does help teach you ways to let your money work for you in simple terms. Things like why mutual funds are better than savings accounts, etc. It goes back and forth from telling stories to giving advice which is a nice change from your standard boring money books.
Highly recommended.
A forgettable book in a nutshell 2008-07-20
I read this book several years back, and frankly remember very little of it. In a nutshell, the real lesson of the book is that the poor buy necessities (food, clothing, etc.) the middle class buy liabilities (cars, boats, etc.) while the rich buy assets (stocks, bonds, real estate).
If You Only Take ONE Thing From This Book ... 2008-07-15
... take the definitions of both an ASSET and a LIABILITY.
I read this book the first month it came out when I was a floating on a raft at the Hyatt in Kauai and I was so taken with it, I finished it and reread it a 2nd time. And I was on vacation. The entertaining style of it held my interest. What most held my interest though was his explanations of ASSETS and LIABILITIES. Gosh you know, all my life I was taught to believe my house was an ASSET. Well it is an ASSET - to the bank that holds the mortgage. To me it is a LIABILITY and a Money Pit.
Now it is nice to have a place to sleep at night and it's all mine! I can paint the walls any color I want!! But it sure ain't an ASSET. And I have all the bills to attest to that.
I do recommend the book to everyone. It really is basic accounting for your lifetime & family. Education is education and meaningful education is the name of the game. Somebody else wrote a review that if his grandparents were alive today, well, they would be dead today instead, because they would not be able to navigate the New Paradigm of 'Every Man for Himself'. He's got a point. The world IS changing, right now as you read this. This book is written for the Everyday Man and Woman. Good information to open up your brain and think about how and what you want to do to assure yourself a future.
Only "Rich Dad" Book Worth Buying 
2008-07-14
Worth the money for the authors approach about assets and liabilities. His personal story is not very interesting but I like the way he focuses on different types of income. Do not expect a lot of detailed information since most of his "examples" are BS. His wife needed a new car so she just went out and found a property that would give her $500/month cash flow with no money down. Yeah right. All said and done though this book will motivate you and help keep your head in the right mind-frame.
Do not bother buying ANY of the other Rich Dad, Poor Dad books, they are only a re-hash of the information in this one.
Good ideas, but... 2008-07-14
Personal-finance author and lecturer Robert Kiyosaki developed his unique economic perspective through exposure to a pair of disparate influences: his own highly educated but fiscally unstable father, and the multimillionaire eighth-grade dropout father of his closest friend. The lifelong monetary problems experienced by his "poor dad" (whose weekly paychecks, while respectable, were never quite sufficient to meet family needs) pounded home the counterpoint communicated by his "rich dad" (that "the poor and the middle class work for money," but "the rich have money work for them"). Taking that message to heart, Kiyosaki was able to retire at 47. Rich Dad, Poor Dad, written with consultant and CPA Sharon L. Lechter, lays out his the philosophy behind his relationship with money. Although Kiyosaki can take a frustratingly long time to make his points, his book nonetheless compellingly advocates for the type of "financial literacy" that's never taught in schools. Based on the principle that income-generating assets always provide healthier bottom-line results than even the best of traditional jobs, it explains how those assets might be acquired so that the jobs can eventually be shed. --Howard Rothman
Common Financial Advice Wrapped Within a Story 
2008-07-13
Rich Dad Poor Dad became a best seller as a result of either introducing or reminding the masses of basic financial principals. The storyline is presented in a manner describing this advice from both a successful father figure with little schooling but ample street smarts, and a less successful father with an abundance of education but little financial sense. Given that only a small sector of society generally finds interest among dry financial books, the writing style undoubtedly also had a lot of influence on the success of this book.
Kiyosaki provides an adequate overview of assets versus liabilities and in depth explanation as to why assets with earning capacity are true assets while others that cost money to sustain (such as your home) are not. However, the message could have been given proper justice in a brief essay as opposed to a best selling book. The principle at heart, while true to the bone, is nothing more than what one would arrive at with a simple understanding of bookkeeping and common sense. Kiyosaki provides a lot of cliché with a story about his two Dads to attempt to add depth to the book, but otherwise the book provides little insight except perhaps to those with limited financial aptitude.
Kiyosaki is certainly a master marketer and undoubtedly made millions by marketing his books, so perhaps if there is a silver lining to the book it is that one might discover the genius behind how to market a book by reading Kiyosaki. Otherwise, look to the cliff notes on this book and save your time and money for a book that offers a more comprehensive study on finance.
Excellent Financial Knowledge 2008-07-10
I first read this book back in 2002-Decided to do a review for it. This book is great for anyone seeking basic financial knowledge about the pros and cons of money. Robert Kiyosaki is the ideal student when it comes to learning from both his rich dad and his poor dad. His style of writing is very educational and teaches his readers to learn to think for themselves:
"Most people use fear and greed against themselves. That's the start of ignorance. It is most important for you to use those emotions to your advantage and for the long term;and not simply let your emotions run you by controlling your thinking."
For example: A doctor, wanting to provide for his family, raises his fees. By doing this, it makes health care more expensive for everyone. Now, it hurts the poor people the most, so poor people have worse health than those with money.-Because the doctors raise their rates, the attorneys raises their rates. Because the attorneys' rates have gone up, schoolteachers want a raise, which raises our taxes, and on and on and on. Soon, there will be such a horrifying gap between the rich and poor that chaos will break out and another great civilization will collapse.
I strongly recommend this book to anyone who may be struggling(most people), during these crucial times of economic change. The author provides his readers with guidance that can help many families in the future. The way out of fear and ignorance is through the mind, by choosing our thoughts. Check it out-it can change your life!
Great Book! 2008-07-10
Great Book!
Very motivational and inspired me to keep driving my very funtional car - but not a showpiece! Inspirational but lacks details for strategy. Concepts are very good.
Worst financial advise book ever. 2008-07-09
Why is this the worst book ever?
Because Robert promotes multi-level marketing (ie: [Sc]Amway)
Robert has made no money on multi-level marketing.
99% of people do not make money on multi-level marketing.
Robert made his money selling fluffy, motivational books that brainwash people into having false dreams that multi-level marketing will bring fortune, fame and women.
If you actually want to make money: read a book about how to write fluffy motivational books, then read a book on how to market your fluffy book to millions of Scamway drones. Finally, write a fluffy motivation book. Oh yeah, brainwash people into thinking they need to play $300 board games as they read the book too.
