The Real Book of Real Estate: Real Experts. Real Stories. Real Life. by Robert T. Kiyosaki

Good to Know

On his success, Kiyosaki told us, "I've had all six of my books reach the New York Times bestseller list, which is especially rewarding seeing as I flunked out of high school twice because I couldn't write. It just goes to show you that we learn from our mistakes."

In our interview, Kiyosaki said that his time in Vietnam was "a great experience for me.... I learned that to live in fear of dying was not living. I crashed three times in Vietnam -- but my crews always came back alive."

A major rugby fan, Kiyosaki has played all over the world.

According to Kiyosaki, "the power behind Rich Dad is women -- my business partners Kim Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter."

Feature Interview

What was the book that most influenced your life -- and why?
Critical Path by Dr. R. Buckminster Fuller. After returning from Vietnam, greatly disillusioned with life, Dr. Fuller's work opened my mind to a whole new way of living my life. It gave me the sense that one person could make a contribution to make the world a better place to live in.

What are your ten favorite books?

• Synergetics 1 by R. Buckminster Fuller
• Synergetics 2 by R. Buckminster Fuller
• Nine Chains to the Moon by R. Buckminster Fuller
• The Great Reckoning by James Dale Davidson & William Rees-Mogg
• The Sovereign Individual by James Dale Davidson & William Rees-Mogg
• Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini
• Carry on Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham
• The Worldly Philosophers by Robert L. Heilbroner
• The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
• Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Favorite film?
Good Morning Vietnam.

Favorite music?
John Denver.

Describe the event that had the greatest influence or impact on your career. Creating the CASHFLOW board game and writing Rich Dad, Poor Dad.

If you had a book club, what would it be reading?
Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman.

Who are your favorite writers, and what makes their writing special?
R. Buckminster Fuller, James Dale Davidson, Robert Cialdini. What makes their writing special is that they know what they're talking about.

What are you working on now?
Rich Dad's Alchemy: The Art of Making Money From Nothing.

What else do you want your readers to know?
I love being with my wife Kim. She's my best friend, my business partner, and my soul-mate. We have a great time together. One of my favorite sayings is from Helen Keller: "Life is a daring adventure...or nothing." For Kim and I, life is definitely an adventure.