The book contrasts two father figures in Kiyosaki’s life — his own “Poor Dad” (his biological father) and his friend’s “Rich Dad” — and explains what the rich teach their children about money that the poor and middle class often do not. It challenges conventional financial wisdom such as “go to school, get a good job, save money” and instead emphasizes working to have money work for you, understanding assets vs liabilities, financial IQ, entrepreneurship, investing, and building wealth through passive income.