Ladies of the Night: A Historical and Personal Perspective on the Oldest Profession in the World [Hardcover]

Gene Simmons (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 8, 2008

Gene Simmons -- mega-rock star, businessman, marketing genius and self-proclaimed free spirit -- follows up his best-selling books Kiss and Make-Up and Sex, Money, Kiss with Ladies of the Night, an examination of the history of prostitution.

Simmons makes the case that men have been stepping out on women since the beginning of time, and that the practice is not about to stop. For that reason alone, Simmons argues that prostitution should be legalized. He argues that prostitution is a victimless crime that could be made safe and become a large source of tax revenues. Simmons, who has never used a lady of the night, believes no one should have to pay for sex, whether it is through prostitutes or marriage.

Regardless of where you stand on the issue, Simmons' book is an arresting, informative, humorous, and outrageous exploration of the world's oldest profession, drawing on human nature, history, science, and public policy.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Simmons, the fire-breathing leader of rock icon Kiss—who once bragged that he had bedded more than a thousand women—delivers an entertaining if sometimes simplistic short overview of prostitution. Simmons (Kiss and Make-up) manages to work into his narrative both the Greek philosopher Diogenes and Nevada's Moonlight Bunny Ranch brothel. Other than the occasional sex joke, Simmons is serious about giving his subject its historical due, stating upfront, I am not here to judge women's personal choices or how they choose to empower themselves. The book doesn't cover what Simmons admits is the dark side of prostitution, focusing primarily on one of his favorite issues: money. Since throughout history, women have never had access to power, Simmons argues that prostitution has been a way for women to monetize the only thing that women have ever owned. Using numerous famous illustrations (e.g., William Hogarth's 18th-century painting A Harlot's Progress), Simmons and coauthor McCarron support this argument by adroitly exploring a range of topics: Sumerian goddess of sexuality Ishtar; the adulterous jara and jatini of ancient India; legal prostitution in Amsterdam's toleration zones; and Theodora, wife of Roman emperor Justinian, who Simmons considers the very first prostitution reformer. All this from the man who once wrote a song on the Kiss album Love Gun titled Got Love for Sale. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

Ladies of the Night: A Historical and Personal Perspective on the Oldest Profession in the World
Simmons, the fire-breathing leader of rock icon Kiss who once bragged that he had bedded more than a thousand women delivers an entertaining if sometimes simplistic short overview of prostitution. Simmons (Kiss and Make-up) manages to work into his narrative both the Greek philosopher Diogenes and Nevada's Moonlight Bunny Ranch brothel. Other than the occasional sex joke, Simmons is serious about giving his subject its historical due, stating upfront, I am not here to judge women's personal choices or how they choose to empower themselves. The book doesn't cover what Simmons admits is the dark side of prostitution, focusing primarily on one of his favorite issues: money. Since throughout history, women have never had access to power, Simmons argues that prostitution has been a way for women to monetize the only thing that women have ever owned. Using numerous famous illustrations (e.g., William Hogarth's 18th-century painting A Harlot's Progress), Simmons and coauthor McCarron support this argument by adroitly exploring a range of topics: the Sumerian goddess of sexuality Ishtar; the adulterous jara and jatini of ancient India; legal prostitution in Amsterdam's toleration zones; and Theodora, wife of Roman emperor Justinian, who Simmons considers the very first prostitution reformer. All this from the man who once wrote a song on the Kiss album Love Gun titled Got Love for Sale. --Publishers Weekly

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Phoenix Books (July 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597775010
• ISBN-13: 978-1597775014
• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 8.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #774,523 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Kiss This Off!, July 14, 2008

By 

Liam Cassidy (los angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ladies of the Night: A Historical and Personal Perspective on the Oldest Profession in the World (Hardcover)

A fun, amusing read with solid scholarly underpinnings that should further galvanize the growing movement to legalize prostitution. Anyone who stands against the exploitation of women must know that removing the fear of criminal prosecution will empower women who wish to earn a living by renting their bodies for sexual recreation, wipe out human-trafficking rings and vicious pimps who clog our criminal justice system -- and add billions of dollars to our national coffers. What this country needs in every neighborhood is an old-fashioned, well-run whorehouse -- the kind with a guy playing piano in the parlor -- and Gene Simmons has made his case with this fascinating potpourri of social history and SEX!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars ENJOYABLE READ, August 9, 2008

By 

Robert Szekely "Bob Szekely" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ladies of the Night: A Historical and Personal Perspective on the Oldest Profession in the World (Hardcover)

This book is a very easy, fast read. Since it's clear that Gene and his co-author (Julie McCarron) had done their homework, I wish they had included their sources, because I'd love to be able to cite some of the information that was included. Since they chose to omit references, that leaves it an entertaining book, but unfortunately not one that can be used credibly in serious discussions on the topic.

I understand that he wrote this to reach the widest audience possible, but I think it could have easily been written at higher than a third-grade reading level: as most people have graduated high school these days, if not attended at least some college.

Overall, this is still a very beautifully-produced and enjoyable book.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting History Lesson, October 11, 2008

By 

Bennet Pomerantz "Bennet Pomerantz, AUDIOWORLD" (College Park, Maryland) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Ladies of the Night: A Historical and Personal Perspective on the Oldest Profession in the World (Audio CD)

Did you know Gene Simmons was a teacher before he was the front man for the rock group KISS? Well he was. And Proffessor Simmons gives an interesting history lesson of the ladies of the night.

Gene calmly narrates this scholarly work..and keeps the listener rivited. He does not down the subject of his discourse, he praises them. He shows their legacy from early cavemen days to modern day. He shows he is great teacher teaching a lesson of history unknown to many. He even covers the relationship of Jesus and Mary..without sounding preachy



If you are expecting something KISS like you will be disappointed. This audio is a great lecture about the oldest proffessor that should be taught in high school or college..Great work and great use of the subject matter

So Professor Simmons, with an audio that is this good..when is your next intriging history lesson. With you teaching this, I am an apt pupil and all ears!

Bennet Pomerantz AUDIOWORLD