a lot of real estate investor will credit his original book as the idea that got them started. I think his stuff is pretty good, his later books seem to have more fluff and less solid material. 

I have read a good number of them. Rich dad got me going in the direction of REI. After a while the books seemed to repeat themselves... Same thing new format. I found some of his "advisor" series books to be pretty good, though mostly not written by Kiyosaki himself. Both the "ABC's of real estate," "the real book of real estate" and "Loop holes of Real estate" were all full of good info.

@Stephan Haas

His name gets thrown around here on BP frequently, almost with reverence ... Brandon Turner gets gushy about his book(s).

But don't worry, you can be a real estate investor without reading Kiyosaki.  I've not read any of his scribbles and had only known of him as a talking head on the Guru circuit - primarily after he was in the news over financial difficulties he was having at the time.

Anything that motivates folks to put down the cheetos, get off the couch and do something to better their future has some merit.

Rich dad poor dad was the book that sparked my desire in real estate investing.  That book is famous for changing ones mindset from the old fashion perspective of working for money to the idea of making money work for you.

Hi @Stephan Haas

Rich dad poor dad, for me was a great book. I always thought of my house as an asset, and while it's not bad to own a home it's better if it in fact pays you money instead of taking money out of your pocket ( investment property of course) that really opened my eyes. The whole tax thing can really make you mad if you think about it too much also. LOL

Yeah and I've read plenty of other works of fiction also.  I used to really like Tom Clancy until I discovered Patrick O'Brian, but he lost some luster for me when it came out he abandoned his wife and young children one of whom was disabled.    Recently, I've been reading more alternative history and apocalyptic history novels.   I especially like the Change series from S.M. Stirling.   

I would recommend the Ken McElroy books from the RDPD series. 

• The advanced guide to real estate investing
• The ABCs of Real estate investing
• The ABC;s of Property Management

They are general in nature but give a good overall overview in multi-unit investing.

If you are young, work a 9 to 5 job, are unhappy in that job, and real estate interests you then Rich Dad Poor Dad will change your life.  You will never look at W-2 income the same way again.

does a bear crap in the woods?

@Steve Babiak

I hope you post all prior thread links regarding this topic. LOL

I read how to improve your financial IQ. It was a great book. It really gave me a better perspective on money and how to look at debt. In addition, it really helped me understand control of a deal and what that meant. 

 I don't think Steve would have time to post all of the threads about this topic.  I'd bet there are thousands.  

Robert kyosaki books are great to get you into the mindset of real estate investing. There's gem in his books but his books are more motivational than educational. I'm actually reading his book second chance as I'm posting, and it's nothing to write home about. I must admit Robert Kyoasaki created that shift in my life to where I wanted to become a successfull real estate investor, but my true education come from BP, and the books BP and some of its guess recommends (J scott books are awesome, Brandon Turner books, the BP how to guide , etc) you are in the right place to receive  the correct information in order to become a savvy real estate investor

Interesting (to me) how the keyword 'abandoned' lead me to this thread.

RDPD has inspired many people to become real estate investors. I read the original book around 20 years ago, although I started in RE in the late 70's. 

Rob's basic philosophies, including the ideas that your residence is not an investment and that an investment makes money whether you show up to work or not are solid pieces of advise. His investment quadrant model is useful. 

He has associated himself with several downright idiots who have tarnished his "brand" and for the life of me, I don't understand how he could include them as "Advisors." One guy is solid but has his become embroiled with the inevitable lawsuit filed by students who were too lazy to find their own deals. 

While there is some good stuff, there is also some absolutely crappy advise. Beyond the first book, would-be investors should be discouraged from spending money on the RDPD organization's training. I'm not at against soending serious money for topic-specific training, but that not the time and certainly not the place.

We have a number of friends in common, however I've never met either Rob or wife Kim. 

Here ya go Wally!

http://bit.ly/1Exjq5E

@Cal C. - You are so correct ...

10% good, if rather general advice.  10% absolutely horrible advice.  Both good advice and bad advice are buried in the remaining 80% of the overall word count, which consists of outright fiction liberally sprinkled with self-promotion.

So, yeah, there is some good stuff in there.  Have fun finding it, and separating it from the crap.

http://www.johntreed.com/Kiyosaki.html

That's a very good way to put it. I don't think I would be quite as hard on it as you or John Reed, but it's easily the most overrated book amongst real estate investors in my opinion.

Great book, it got me into real estate as well.  I bought other books but the best one was Rich Dad Poor Dad.  I also had a chance to go to the free seminar and their 3-day workshop.  I think the information they share makes it worth going to.  They will try to pitch you expensive education.  Not really my cup of tea to go that far.

I think its a very sad commentary on parents and the education system that so many people give this drivel so much credit.

If I learned anything from that con man I'd be embarrassed to admit it.

However, what I have learned on here is that many successful people are not ashamed - they hold up their previous ignorance as a badge of honor and wave this book like a bible.  I just don't get it, but I do appreciate that some good has come from this book.

I suspect much more harm has come from it than good - and the victims who cashed in their 401k, then over leveraged in real estate and are now broke, more often end up homeless or kill themselves than come on the internet to admit what it did to them.  I think RK is the devil.

I guess the real question is in this community, who hasn't read them? 

The way I see it, his books are motivational books. They opened the door of new possibilities for an average Joe. Just don't get into his guru seminar. Read his books and educate yourself through other means like podcast, forum, and other boojs

As what most have said, Rich Dad Poor Dad was excellent.  In the process of listening to "Rich Dad's Guide to Investing" right now.  My interpretation, as of now, is that it is a "pump up" book - helps get you in the right frame of mind and stay motivated to keep at it!

I read Rich dad poor dad when I was in college.  Good stuff, but nothing compared to Tim Ferris, Gary Vaynerchuk, Seth Godin, Darren Hardy in my opinion.  Not very real estate heavy, but more entrepreneurial/go after it books I enjoy more.  A new book I just read that I really like, kind of like 4HWW for travel is called Buy your own Island by Danny Flood.  

He proves that one does not need to know how to write to have a best seller in America.