Rating: 
Summary: Rich Writer, Poor Readers . . .
Review: First of all, readers need to recognize that this book is marketed towards those who do not have a solid grasp of financial and economic principles. That said, it's imperative that readers use their critical eye when examining the author's many dubious and unsupported claims. The book starts off well, asserting that the traditional model of success -- doing well in school and going straight to work thereafter -- is not working in today's economy. That may be acceptable to believe, but everything Kiyosaki says afterward becomes incredibly hard to swallow. He throws in many pragmatic principles in the first chapters, such as having more assets than liabilities, becoming your own boss rather than working for someone else, and possessing financial literacy. These principles are indeed important, but could have been stated much more concisely than intertwining them with his childhood stories. Although interesting, these childhood anecdotes do not necessarily make the principles any easier to understand (most of the financial ideas are simple to begin with). The trouble begins when Kiyosaki over-generalizes his conception of those who are rich and poor, and also when he overstates his claims without specifics or evidence. For instance, Kiyosaki talks about how menacing taxes are and why the rich are not so susceptible to its evils. He explains that the "rich" use accountants and lawyers to avoid taxes, while the poor are all-to-eager to pay the government. This assessment is overly simplistic, although easy to agree with. How a poor person can afford any of these tax avoidance luxuries is beyond Kiyosaki's grasp. He simply advises his readers to start a "personal corporation" in order to take vacations under the cover of a business expense. Ethics aside, there is no specifics on how to create this corporation, nor any explanation on how it would work. Kiyosaki simply states that it worked for him, hoping readers will accept his claim at face value. Besides too many repetitions of the same principles, Kiyosaki also relies on an annoying strategy of circular logic. He suggests to his readers that owning a business where you don't work but take in the revenue, owning stocks, real estate, and other assets are the key to becoming rich. If readers don't already know these basic tenants, than they might forget that possessing most of these assets requires substantial wealth to begin with. In all, there are few financial principles among the mass of over-simplistic claims made by the author. While it's remarkably easy to recognize the author's narrow view of success and penchant for greed, it is much harder to see the author's incompetence at explaining how to become rich. Like everybody else, he is adept at spinning an illusionary web of fantastical desires mixed with practical financial advice; the result is a disingenuous narrative and a lack of substance. Readers would get rich quicker simply by not buying this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: I don't like to read. In fact, I hate to read, but I finished RD PD in one evening. Once I started, I couldn't stop.This man may not win any literally awards, but he sure knows how to write in a captivating way.I have started to apply Kiyosaki's advice and am creating passive income and started a small home based business. To wit, have already doubled my income!Thank you Robert, great advice!
Rating: 
Summary: Not much in the way of revoloutionary ideas
Review: I just read this book through, and decided to take a look at many of the reviews here, both the negative and positive. I own't repeat some of what has been written, but will suggest you look through the reviews which have one star and are well written and discuss some of the illegal actions suggested in this book on real estete and tax information. I did glean a few usefull tips from this book, it had some nice diagrams of how rich, middle class, and poor people spend thier money WRT assets vs liabilities. This is about it, not worth getting the book over. The author advocates getting businesses, preferably ones which you don't have to take care of, rather other people take care of these for you(this can be done if you *already* have plenty of money, but not if you're starting out). Yet, there is no advise on how to go about getting these businesses(other than a lot of 'positive mental attitude' type hype which sounds like something right out of a sales seminar). Having owned a small family business, I can tell you it's not just a matter of making a few phone calls and having the money roll in. While there are a few good points in this book, you can find those same points in many other much better books. "Pay Yourself First" is hyped as a revoloutionary way to save money, but while sound, it's hardly origional as the author tries to make it out to be. Overall, it has a lot of 'get rich quick' mentality which any reputable finantial advisor would not reccomend as a strategy for building a strong finantial future. I would like to reccomend "Your Money or Your Life" by Joe Dominguez as a good starter book for people looking to get started in personal finantial matters. I can also reccomend many of Suzie Orman's books, they're much better, and have sound advise on real life situations.
Rating:
Summary: This book was done for a quick dollar.
Review: This book is not worth your time. It is being sold through someone affiliated with Amway. There are plenty of books that are better. Please see my previous review. Do not waste your money. Check it out from the library. I returned it after reading approximately 50 pages. Save yourself time and grief. Get it from the library, before you spend your hard earned money.
Rating:
Summary: I Didn't Want To Be Rich, Just Debt Free!
Review: "Rich Dad,Poor Dad" is about developing an understanding of how money works. I did not want to be a rich man, just a man free from debt and its companion, STRESS. I read this book years ago after it was first released. It made little sense to me then and it took years for me to know why. My entire belief system had to change in order for me to realize the benefits of this book. I had to get out of the mindset of being a victim of life and learn to take responsibility for my thoughts and actions. Another book helped me to do that. As a frustrated parent of a young child, I read a book on parenting called "The Child Whisperer." It was great for parenting, but better for me as a man. I had a paradigm shift. I had to take some responsibilty for my behavior and emotions, and "The Child Whisperer" gave me the tools to do so. I picked up "Rich Dad,Poor Dad" a week after reading "The Child Whisperer", and now everything makes sense to me. Five months later, I am debt free and have several additional sources of income. I am no longer whiney and self-defeating. Thanks "Rich Dad"
Rating:
Summary: ...
Review: ...RD PD is a great book. The other books build on this one--not to be read in place of this one. On the other hand I do agree that Investing for Dummies is an excellent choice...
Rating: 
Summary: Not very good
Review: Before all you people out there begin to bash me giving me for not giving this full stars let me tell you something - I do like Robert Kiyosaki. He is one of the people who has had an impact for changing my life for the better (but not much), and I do commend him on his good hearted nature in helping teach the poor and the middle class financial literacy. For example, I like the book Rich Dad's Prophecy which he wrote concerning the possible stock market crash in 2016. It's good. In fact I have to say that its one of his best books because in order for the government to carry out its plan of social security reform the public needs to be educated about the issue. So I like what he's trying to do and I can't say I haven't learned anything from reading his books. So what's the pitfall?. In my opinion this book (as well as most his others) fall short due to a shortage of information as well as lack of credibility on Kiyosaki's part. I'll address information issue first. Kiyosaki recommends that the average individual should try and become wealthy through real estate and through building a business. He's says that you should have money work for you and not the other way around. Sure, I like that idea. I certainly don't want to work for the rest of my life!. Working for money that is... But he doesn't ever tell people the cons of the solutions to which he is recommending. Things like real estate, small businesses and network marketing buisnesses are all filled with con men, sue me sharks and numerous pitfalls that can eat a person alive. Sure, a lot of other fields have these too but more so in these industries than any other, simply because they are easiest to which an average person can enter. In reality, it takes a lot of other skills to succeed in todays fast paced business world- skills that aren't found in a book and without the right experience. It concerns me that he makes his solutions seem so easily simple when in reality they really aren't. The reader is motivated through out the whole wihtout much knowledge of what to do at the end. Coming from the business sector I can say that setting a bunch of novices loose on any market segement is not too intelligent to any business. There are a lot better books out there when it comes to building a buisness for example, that people simply just don't read. Not only that, it also bothers me to find talented men and women who have great gifts for their professions abandon them which in order to seek security ala real estate, MLM, etc. I'm not necessarily talking about the overworked doctor or the underpaid waitress, I'm talking about those would be comic book artists, dancers and athletes who I personally know who have a gift but choose to give up their passions for the sake of security. Yes, it's nice to seek security too but at the end of your life what is it that you really want to be known for?. I know that a lot of creative fields are very competitive but instead of gaining confidence in their ability by learning how to strengthen their talents and gaining experience they are abandoning their ambitions all together and seek security only. That to me is sad. It's called planning for failure. Many have told me they will pursue their careers once they are financially independent but life has no guarantees - already one of them passed away and he was on the "safe" route. There's also the credibility issue with Kiyosaki. Let's say for example that Rich Dad was still alive and a reporter found out who he was. The world now knows who he is. Would you rather listen to Rich Dad from now on or Kiyosaki? I think you would listen to Rich Dad (who ever he was) because he taught Kiyosaki everything right? If that happened Kiyosaki would go broke in a flash. No one would ever want to listen to him when they could listen to his teacher. Therefore Kiysoaki won't tell the world who Rich Dad is. He can't afford to. I also suspect that there MIGHT not ever have been a Rich Dad. Certainly Kyosaki's childhood friends could give clues as to who Mike was and his brothers and sisters would certainly know something as well. Both Kiyosaki's parents passed away but they would probably know the truth as to whether or not there really was a rich dad. If Kiyosaki's kin does not know, they either swore an oath of secrecy or there may not have been a Rich Dad at all. Who is Kiyosaki anyway?. Not much if at all, is really known about him. His book made him popular but scary as it is (if you think about it) there is not much to know other than what he TELLS US we should know. He is known as an educator, investor and businessman but many a news articles and investiagtions have turned up empty in finding accomplishments to back up Kiyosaki other than his Rich Dad business. I'm talking before and after the success of his book. For example, if you were to find a person to teach you how to play basketball. Would you rather ask Michael Jordan or someone who has just wrote a book about it. There are plenty of great books on basketball but chances are you would pick Jordan because of all the championships he's won. Similar with Kiyosaki, there isn't a lot accomplishment to back up who he stands for.I can certainly tell you that Michael Jordan is worth $408 million from Forbes recent figures but no one knows what Kiyosaki's worth is, not even Forbes. And if they can't find out there's a problem. Another thing that takes credibility away from Kiyosaki is that most of his advice is not his own. Most of it is common sense. In Rich Dad's Prophecy, there are a lot of references to articles concerning depleted 401Ks and Social Security reform. It's not hard. Just go on the internet and you will easily find literature available on the subject. What's more interesting to me, is that there are quite a few economists who offer ideas on how to solve the issue that quite drastically differ from Kiyosaki's typical real estate and small business approach. Kiyosaki just rehashes most (not all) of what they say before going back to the 6 basic lessons in the first book. I have no problem with repetition but people buy his books to find answers to questions risen from past books.It's a never ending cycle. To summarize, I do think Rich Dad Poor Dad ( as well as his others) is a good starter book, though I believe it would be wise to check out some of the facts before you implement any of his recommendations. I wish you well in all future endeavors. Thanks. SW
Rating: 
Summary: I am now a billionairre after reading this book
Review: Come on now, if you thought the above sentence was true, and you got excited, nothing will help you. You are hopeless if you are looking for a quick way to make money, just go back to working as a telemarketer, and call it a life. If you are looking for some good solid principles for spending, and teaching your kids about money then it is good. I was already taight most of these theories by my father, so it wasn't as mind blowing as it could be for someone who has not.
Rating:
Summary: Changed my life
Review: Less than a year ago I was reading an article in Money Magazine. It was about a couple that was on their way to being millionaires. I remember the author saying that the couple had read this book by Robert Kiyosaki and "it changed their life." For some reason it struck me as funny and I decided, " 'changed their life' I guess it's worth a read." So I read it and it changed my life. Both my wife and I have redirected our investments and the way we manage them. For the last 20 years I have diligently read books, general periodicals (Newsweek, Time, etc), Money magazine and the business section of the local paper to be a responsible head of household and steward of our money. This book brought clarity to my understanding of money. I realized that 90-95% of the materials I have read were essentially garbage.
Now I have bought this book for all my family and recommend it to all my friends.
One catch, RK writes his books as teasers to his other books (he knows how to make money). I have read many of them. This first one kills any previous misinformation you may have about money (probably the 90-95% stuff you think you know). The next two books (Cash Flow Quadrants and What the Rich Invest In) are more foundation and reinforcement. The rest are topic specific.
Rating:
Summary: Everything has changed
Review: There is good, practical advice offered here, but I feel the book is now dated considering recent world economic events. What worked well in the 90's, does not work now. Show me the book on how to deal with the millenium then I will be impressed. I found this book in the suggested reading section of Rat Race Relaxer: Your Potential & The Maze of Life.
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