"Rich Dad Poor Dad" is a personal finance book written by Robert Kiyosaki, first published in 1997. The book is written in the form of a memoir and is based on the lessons that Kiyosaki learned from his "rich dad," his best friend's father, and his own "poor dad," his biological father. The book aims to challenge the traditional ideas about money and financial education, and it encourages readers to think differently about how they manage their money and build wealth.


The book begins by introducing the two "fathers" in Kiyosaki's life, his biological father (the "poor dad") and his best friend's father (the "rich dad"). Kiyosaki's biological father was a highly educated and successful man, but he struggled financially throughout his life. On the other hand, his best friend's father, the "rich dad," was less formally educated but was able to build a large and successful business.


One of the main themes of the book is that traditional financial education, such as earning a high income and saving money, is not the key to building wealth. Kiyosaki argues that the key to building wealth is to learn how to invest in assets that generate income, such as rental properties or businesses. He also emphasizes the importance of financial literacy, stating that one of the reasons why his "poor dad" struggled financially was because he did not understand how money works.


The book also challenges the idea that having a good job and a high income is the key to financial success. Kiyosaki argues that having a good job and a high income is not enough, and that it is important to learn how to create passive income streams that can generate money without the need for active involvement. He encourages readers to start their own businesses or invest in income-generating assets, such as rental properties.


Another theme of the book is the importance of taking calculated risks in order to build wealth. Kiyosaki argues that taking risks is essential to creating wealth and that people who are too risk-averse will struggle to achieve financial success. He encourages readers to learn to think differently about risk and to be willing to take risks when the potential rewards outweigh the potential downsides.


The book also emphasizes the importance of being financially independent. Kiyosaki argues that having a job and a steady income is not the key to financial independence, and that it is essential to learn how to generate income from multiple sources. He encourages readers to start their own businesses, invest in income-generating assets, and to create multiple streams of income.


"Rich Dad Poor Dad" has become a bestseller and has been translated in to multiple languages. It has been praised for its practical and straightforward approach to personal finance and it has also been criticized for its lack of detail and emphasis on real estate investment as the only way of building wealth. The book is also not without controversy and some of the claims in the book were challenged.


Overall, "Rich Dad Poor Dad" is a book that challenges traditional ideas about money and financial education, and it encourages readers to think differently about how they manage their money and build wealth. The book emphasizes the importance of financial literacy, taking calculated risks, and creating multiple streams of income in order to achieve financial independence. It is a book that has inspired many people to take control of their finances and create the life they desire