While Niall Ferguson's book does present some interesting history on how a system of money and finance came into existence, it is probably something that could be better read in a condensed format somewhere else.

This book is peppered with self-aggrandizing comments, and "I-called-its", that makes it a bit tough to believe, and would probably work better in an informal personal blog than a formal history. It is true that no history is completely objective, but the author should at least have that intention.

As one final note the book lacks consistency. It jumps from one event to another with no set reason, and seems to accelerate to current times (1990-2008) and stay there for over half the book. Any explanations of financial products, like puts, options, swaps, bonds, etc...are not easy to understand, and might as well be left out.
In closing, save your credit and just google blogs on the financial crises, or finance history, you will find much the same material, and at least you will have visual aids.

Rich Dad Poor Dad is a book that conveys several key lessons which can be summarized as follows:

1. Save First, Spend Later
2. Build Assets (Things which make you money like stocks, businesses, rent, interest etc...)
3. Limit Liabilities (Things which take money out of your pocket like your car, house, pets etc...)
4. Most trained professionals, or intellectuals, are one skill away from creating a lot of wealth, and that skill is sales

Another beautiful point Kiyosaki makes is that people who start businesses really have no interest in working for money. They have interest in creating win win opportunities that generate money for them.

He gives an example of when he and a friend were kids and his friend's Dad, his Rich Dad, offered them jobs. He dared them to accept, and kept on raising the hourly wage to ridiculous levels, something like $700 an hour. The result is that the kids didn't accept, the amount of money was too ridiculous, and it spoke to the part of them that couldn't be bought. At the point that they stopped caring about money, they knew they could find opportunities, and add value to people's lives. It really is a beautiful thought.

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