LADIES OF THE NIGHT A Historical and Personal Perspective on the Oldest Profession in the World

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. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2008]