Ladies of the Night

Fans of the band KISS won't be shocked by LADIES OF THE NIGHT, Kiss bassist and reality-TV star Gene Simmons's "tribute" to one of his favorite subjects: prostitution. Despite his reputation as a womanizer not exactly sympathetic to feminist causes, Simmons's book, in its own strangely sincere way, pays homage to prostitutes throughout the ages--from the concubines of ancient Rome to the courtesans of France to the brothels of New Orleans. Given his reputation, the fact that the author himself reads the work lends it an almost lewd aspect, but this is no sleazy leering oratory. When he's not growling heavy-metal lyrics, Simmons is actually a smooth enunciator. Simmons's suave tone elevates the work, removing the titillating aspects and making LADIES OF THE NIGHT a legitimate history of sex for sale. J.S.H. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

November 24, 2008
Kiss frontman turned reality-TV star, Simmons offers this fascinating collection of anecdotes and opinions on the oldest profession in the world. Beginning with cave-dwelling tribes and moving through each generation and era to the present day, Simmons explains the reasoning behind the profession while never failing to impart his own set of views along the way. No stranger to the microphone, Simmons reads in a solid and unfaltering manner. His familiar, deep bass tone has found the ideal medium in audio narration; his voice can hold listeners' attention for hours. The stories are often shocking and fantastic, which makes them a perfect match for Simmons himself, who sounds as if he is genuinely engaged and thoroughly interested in each tale presented. A Phoenix Books hardcover (Reviews, May 12).