Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyed his first book better.
Review: I keep reading that poeple read it and finish it in one sitting. Well, I can't finish it. I got a bit bored with it quite frankly.
I love Gene and I love Kiss. With this, I am just flicking through and not really getting attached to it. The stories of Kiss first hand will always be the attraction to me but the advise stuff is old hat. It seems a bit simplistic but maybe thats what works. I would endorse his first book which was really about Kiss and some great stories, this is okay but not stirring.
Rating: 
Summary: Surprisingly thought-provoking
Review: I must admit to not being a big KISS fan . . . in fact, it would be
safe to say that if you asked me, I don't think I could recall even
one of the group's songs.That said, for some reason, I picked up SEX MONEY KISS--the
latest book effort by Gene Simmons . . . perhaps it was the
outrageous cover (featuring a long red tongue against a silver
background), but once I got reading, I almost couldn't put it down. Simmons, of course, was the founder of KISS and the mastermind
behind the group's enduring success . . . here he tells many
of the secrets that have made him so successful. I found myself laughing in many spots, but also thinking to
myself in others that this guy makes a lot of sense . . . imagine
getting people to pay $100 to attend a one-day convention
about the band . . . even more amazing: how he self-published
KISSTORY and successfully sold that for an amazing
$158.95 (no typo!) . . . then came back with KISSTORY II and
sold still more books for the same price. How did he do it? The same way that he urges readers to
do; i.e., save your money, don't smoke, don't drink, don't get
high, equate time with money and know that being rich is
better than being poor . . . he also espouses, more than once,
the following bit of advice: "The worst thing a man can do,
financially and biologically speaking, is to get married." You may well find yourself disagreeing with some of what
he says . . . and regardless, you'll most likely come to the
conclusion that he is sexist in many of his beliefs . . . yet
if you read between the lines, you'll also find many thought-
provoking passages; among them: * The word "cheap" is a wonderful word! Learn to love it. Be cheap,
just like me. And try this on for size: Less is more. That's right.
If you want more, try having less. The less you spend, the more you
have. That makes sense. We all know that. The less you smoke,
the more you live. Well, that makes sense too, but we don't need
to read it on the side of a cigarette pack. Or do we? We keep
smoking anyway. It will cost you a fortune. And that doesn't take into
account the cost of your future medical bills (remember cancer?) The
less you complain, the happier you are. Perhaps. And tread lightly
on this one: The less you marry, whether it's once of multiple times,
the richer you are and will be. And, of course, the less you eat, the
thinner you are. * The idea that anybody in their twenties or thirties would ever think
about taking a vacation before they've amassed fame and fortune
is a wonderful idea-for losers. Not everyone can climb Mount Olympus;
somebody's got to wrap fish. Perhaps it's Nature's way of weeding
out the winners from the losers. Those who work harder make more
money-period. Two people who work at the same job and earn the same
salary and have the same relative talent will make the amount of money
if they work the same number of hours per week. However, if one decides
to work on the weekends, he or she will not only make more money,
but usually at double or triple rates . . . and of course your boss will take
note, hint, hint!
Rating: 
Summary: Great (fun) read from a business perspective...
Review: I read an interview with Mr. Simmons in a Southwest Airlines inflight magazine, and was intrigued enough to read this book. As a business student, I thought it would be interesting to approach this writing as another financial advice book. Considering this man has made his fortune by marketing and merchandising everything he touches, I figured he might have a pointer or two worth trying. The fact that he's so politically incorrect (read: honest) was an amusing sidenote. Surprisingly simple and conservative financial advice - I liked it. I can't give 5 stars, though becuase it wasn't meant as a business book, and I read it as such. His personal philosophy regarding money (Get it, keep it & don't apologize for having it!) was a great reminder for me. Sometimes its easy to forget why I get up before dawn, burn the candle at both ends and collapse long after dark. (So that when I'm old & feeble, I don't have to get up before dawn, burn the candle at both ends and collapse long after dark!!!) I'd like to see if Mr. Simmons will re-create himself as a motivational/ business/ financial speaker. I think it'd be great - imagine all the publicity that'll be generated by protesters from the Women's Studies department!! Can't you just see him on Kudlow & Cramer or PowerLunch?? One word: FUN!
Rating:
Summary: Love him or hate him, at least he's honest
Review: Interesting read. Gene's style is pretty straightforward and breezy. Yes, his ego is out of control and I don't really need to know when the first time he grabbed Shannon's (...) was, but if you're a Kiss fan, you'll love it.
Rating:
Summary: Great book that is thought provoking!!
Review: It seems to me that several reviewers miss the point of this book which is to make clear a life philosophy that gained Gene Simmons millions of dollars and brought him literally from rags to riches. End of story. One of the points of the book was to really call into question the whole idea of marriage. Gene doesn't like it. He makes salient points that back up his view. Clearly, getting married according to Gene, is a costly move for guys. With over 50% of couples divorcing and with estates being split in half--Gene makes a point. One reviewer actually said that marriage is profitable because of two incomes. Amazing! Gene would say that upon either having children or getting divorced that situation may change and with a very high divorce rate in our country that will situation will change. I wish this reviewer well but feel that this person is living in a fools paradise. This is a good book or audio book. I'd recommend audio because the author's voice evokes emotion that makes his point clear which is that there is no substitute for hard work or taking advantage of opportunities which are the keys to success. For this advice alone the book deserves attention as you can't get this advice enough. I conclude by saying that Gene only asks that men fully think about marriage instead of leaping into the dark. What one person does is up to them but he urges people to really understand the financial ramifications of what they are getting into. This is good advice from a good book. I didn't care for the packaging of the book. I thought the CD audio version seemed to have flimsy packaging but the book is so good I can overlook this matter.
Rating:
Summary: Best book I ever read!
Review: It was the funnest book I have read to this day!
I laughed out Loud. Many people may not agree with everything Gene writes, but it is hard to argue with what he has to say.
A must read for every Kiss fan and even if you do not like Kiss it will be a great book to own.
Rating:
Summary: A success book written by a real rockstar!
Review: Love him or hate him, you'd have to admit that Gene Simmons is a successful guy, and he holds nothing back in this book. In plain language he tells you that he believes life is about more cash and more sex. Or "gettin' paid and gettin' laid".
Here are some great quotes from the book that I just love:
"I spell the American Dream C-A-S-H!"
"Nothing comes to you. You have to go after it."
"You may not like rich people, but when was the last time a poor person gave you a job?"
"Always keep in mind that money is the single most important tool that will unlock the keys to all of the doors of your happiness."
Gene also talks about his lifestyle: hard work, no booze, no drugs! He even boldly admits that the rock and roll industry is full of drugged-out idiots with guitars.
You may not like what he says about women, but if you're a male, there will be a part of you that agrees with him!
Basically if you read this book, along with Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich," you will go far!
Rating:
Summary: True Business man qualities and determination.
Review: Loved KISS and the enterprise ever since I was four. Now that I am all grown up and in the business world, I look at things differently. Gene Simmons is not only that great bassist, but an extremely educated businessman with drive and determination. This book will open your eyes to not only should you go after what you want but do it with umph! Great work, Gene, now we know how you got to where you are today.
Rating:
Summary: Not much to understand but a lot to get...
Review: Ok, here's the deal with this book (and his other "Kiss and Make-Up"): his philosophy is based on a typical I-was-poor-as-a-child-and-now-i'm-rich approach. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, of course. In fact, as simplistic as what he writes is, it doesn't make it any less true.
He basically states that if you save your money and create ways to make new money based off of what you KNOW ALREADY, you can't loose. Keep yourself clean (no drugs, alcohol, etc.). Keep yourself straight minded and accumulate allies/friends for the purposes of bettering yourself. Good grief, man! That's the American credo! I would think not taking this book for what it states would be anti-American!
insert funny footnote here: I've noticed that Gene continuously talks of how you should not waste your money and that you should live (just) below your means. And yet for his fans he has PLENTY of knick-knacks and trinkets that people can waste their money on. (some examples include [and I kid you NOT]: a KISS baby-bib, a KISS motorcycle, Key chains and even--get this--a KISS casket to bury your die-hard fan in. NO kidding).
So with so much to spend your money on, yet his advice is to save money...would the merchandise bus be just some giant test?! Too funny, Gene. Too funny. G*d bless ya.
Why only 4 stars? Come'on, nobody's perfect. Even Gene will tell you that.
Rating:
Summary: Not much to understand but a lot to get...
Review: Ok, here's the deal with this book (and his other "Kiss and Make-Up"): his philosophy is based on a typical I-was-poor-as-a-child-and-now-i'm-rich approach. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, of course. In fact, as simplistic as what he writes is, it doesn't make it any less true.
He basically states that if you save your money and create ways to make new money based off of what you KNOW ALREADY, you can't loose. Keep yourself clean (no drugs, alcohol, etc.). Keep yourself straight minded and accumulate allies/friends for the purposes of bettering yourself. Good grief, man! That's the American credo! I would think not taking this book for what it states would be anti-American!
insert funny footnote here: I've noticed that Gene continuously talks of how you should not waste your money and that you should live (just) below your means. And yet for his fans he has PLENTY of knick-knacks and trinkets that people can waste their money on. (some examples include [and I kid you NOT]: a KISS baby-bib, a KISS motorcycle, Key chains and even--get this--a KISS casket to bury your die-hard fan in. NO kidding).
So with so much to spend your money on, yet his advice is to save money...would the merchandise bus be just some giant test?! Too funny, Gene. Too funny. G*d bless ya.
Why only 4 stars? Come'on, nobody's perfect. Even Gene will tell you that.
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