iReview: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Rich Dad Poor Dad is built around a premise that none could possibly disagree with - that it is highly essential to build financial intelligence early in life. The author, Robert Kiyosaki is pretty much convincing in his explanations mostly by comparing the financial dealings of his rich dad & poor dad.  Large part of his recommendations are fundamental financial principles; learn to define assets / liabilities, Increase assets, keep expenses to the minimum, have an alternative source of income, spend on luxuries last and only after  accumulating good amount of assets, and maintain financial discipline. He actively encourages his readers to take actions involving money and investments, also warning that there would be failures along the way, while assuring that it is also how we are programmed to learn. These universal tenants of finance draw little controversy.  However, the methods he suggests adopting in order to amass wealth, is what I am not exactly sure about and that's where the agreement ends. My first problem with the book is that it's way too repetitive & doesn't move on or conclude when the point is already made. It could very well have been wrapped in half the number of pages.  Secondly, the over emphasis on the taxes. Though I do not subscribe to the philosophy of very high tax regimes, I am also not as against it as the author seems to be, recognizing well that as a contributor to social costs it is only right that each individual owns a part of it. Then  comes the idea on real estate as an investment vs mortgage as a liability needing a more elaborate explanation as categorizing 'owning a house' in the liability column is too generic and thereby might not be relevant across the board. Aside from the security it offers the owners,  it is also the same sentimental value that in some cases pushes the prices up for the so-called investors to bank on! Finally, owning corporations is not an idea that seems practical for everyone or even the majority to follow. It is an idea that completely ignores the entrepreneurial gene and individual interest.It is like expecting everyone to do well at Maths because it is supposed to be beneficial.  However, in spite of the disagreements, the book can be considered a primer in emphasizing the importance of acquiring financial knowledge in the least. Choosing methods is anyways up to the individual circumstances, appetite for risk, strengths and so on. 

iReview: eat, pray, love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Just as Elizabeth Gilbert suggests that there is usually a word for every place and person in this world, "witty" is the word i choose for this autobiographical story, eat pray, love. Despite the intense emotions this book sets to deal with, it is the refreshing style of narration and tone that is mostly witty even though appearing to be slightly influenced by the Wodehousian humor, is precisely the sole vehicle that deports the reader through the three parts of the book.  Aside from a few short yet oh-so real and familiar characters Liz etches out and her description of the factual, spiritual and cultural dimensions of the three countries, Italy, India and Indonesia that she sets to travel in the span of one year, there is little else to this much hyped book. In contrast to my initial curiosity to understand a foreigner's perspective of spirituality based on the Indian philosophy, this is the part that I liked the least as it was quite concise and dwelled no further than the basic karma principles.  Unexpectedly though, this disappointment was more than made up by the mysticism surrounded in the third part although the turn of events and the fairy tale ending only let the book become all the more predictable, and enjoyable only in parts yet leaving it worthy of a read.