Rating: 
Summary: not alot of kiss
Review: this is the very interesting story of an israeli immigrants version of the american dream...it just so happens that he is the bass player for kiss. i was surprised at how little time gene spent on talking about kiss. the chapter on his life in israel, the one on his relationship with cher and the story of the birth of his son were great. otherwise not alot of anything new.
Rating:
Summary: An entertaining page-turner
Review: Although this book is not great literature, Gene Simmons' autobiography is written with a casual, conversational tone that is very inviting to the reader. His accounts of life in Israel, immigrating to New York, and his path to stardom are especially interesting. Highlights of the book include many photos (black/white and color). Many bios have 8-16 pages of plates in the middle of the book, but Gene's bio contains photos throughout each chapter. He discusses in particular detail his love for women and the conflicts he had with each band member. The latter was helpful to a novice like myself, who has heard so many rumors over the years as to why each guy quit (or was fired from) the band.There are portions of the book that are not quite satisfactory. Gene discusses the production of many of their early albums, but towards the last ten years or so of Kiss's recording career, he skips certain albums. Were there no interesting stories behind those albums? There was also little commentary on what is was like making the feature Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park. (Gene claims he never abused drugs, but it seems like he doesn't remember quite everything, and you can't help but wonder what the "other side" to the story is.) Also, I find it very ironic that a supposed "mama's boy" (who refuses to drink or do drugs out of respect to his mother) could sleep with over 4,500 women, criticize marriage, and not be embarassed for his mother to know any of this. It's possible that my complaints could be debated by those who are more well-versed on the band's bio, as I don't have many reference points. But if you take Gene's word to be the truth, you will find much to admire in the man as well as much to be desired. HOWEVER, I also believe that these shortcomings do not impact the book as a whole. There's still plenty of good stuff in the book. Overall, a fascinating read and a great gift idea for Kiss fans.
Rating:
Summary: Honesty is the Best Policy
Review: I purchased the book because I have been an avid kiss fan since my childhood. I really expected the book to be a big blow hard, self-promotion by Gene Simmons, but wanted to give him a chance. After reading the book, I really feel like he came clean from his perspective, and pulled no punches. It kind of upset me to hear the truth about Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss' juvenile behavior. I tend to believe it is an honest account after seeing Ace so blasted in concert once that Paul was covering for him on his solos. It really shows clearly that though he can be construed as an (...) by many for his unsympathetic drive. It is also that drive which made KISS the icon that it has become. In the end, it only shows that KISS, like all super groups, are also human.
Rating: 
Summary: Great for all those "old" Kiss fans
Review: I found this book impossible to put down. Not having followed what has been going on with Kiss for the past 15 years or so it filled in many of the gaps in my knowledge of the band. It gives you a great insight into what was going on behind the scenes and it gave me totally different view of Gene Simmons (and the rest of the band). The book is often funny and it is usually to the point. Simmons seems to make an effort (...) even if he sometimes repeates himself, both in the phrases he uses and in the facts he states. My only regret about the book is that it is not long enough but that is often the fact about entertaining books. What we now need is the same kind of book from the other three original members.
Rating: 
Summary: What another money scam by Gene
Review: I bought it thinking it would be perhaps inspirational or juicy.
Save your money on this lame 6th grade reading BORING tale of the group I loved growing up. (gene) Here is the whole book simplified for you: Gene grows up poor. Mom's good looks gets them to the USA on a VISA. He learns English. Learns guitar. Picks up chicks. CONSTANLTY picks on Ace and Peter. Does not drink or do drugs. Gets leid a lot. Dates Cher. Dates Diana Ross. Hooks up with a Playboy girl..has a couple of kids. And there is more KISS "stuff" to come. What Gene needed was an aide to help him write this. To clean up the English. Express his thoughts better on paper. Not Gene. Gotta do it himself.:) The cover of this book makes you think there is excitement beyond the cover. What you get is one yawning chapter after another. He may be able to wag his tongue and use the money he has to extend some power. But after you read this you realize the guy is not that bright and this was all for show and to get your money. I thought it would be like going to a concert but in book fashion. Everything that is in this book is in KISSTORY. (...). What he should have done was write it all on a stage, in costume, and in full makeup. Then...we might get a feel for this super hero.
Rating: 
Summary: Gene propaganda
Review: This book is only for die-hard Kiss fans who must have everything the band puts out. I have been a fan since I was six, so naturally I was curious to see what "truth" Gene had to tell about the band. I was incredibly disappointed in his writing. Not only did he not reveal anything most fans do not already know, he glosses over the death of Eric Carr and many other events. This book just reinforces what I have been feeling over the last few years-that he only cares for the fans if they spend their money on the merchandise. Kiss is a company now, not the BAND I grew up with.
Rating:
Summary: Simmons is a God, but a humble one???
Review: After 30 years he finally admits how much he cares about only himself and no one else. This alone garnishes 4 stars!! The merchandising (sell-out) has found another way to empty our pocketbooks, but this is a good read. I've read the other biographies on Kiss and wondered if his own words would tell the truth, or pull the wool over the eyes of the die-hard fans that he claims to be "the only people that matter." I have to admit that I enjoyed the book. Even the pictures were good. I hate when (he) gets my attention.
Rating: 
Summary: OK, but mostly for the completists
Review: There's little in Kiss and Make-Up that will come as a big suprise to rabid Kiss fans; Simmons is one of the most intelligent, savvy people around--if he wasn't
a rock star, he could have been a motivational speaker. But the book is largely devoid of much of the wit that he often displays when on TV or radio interviews. The overall theme is one of an kid who came from a foreign country and then proceeded to make it big, a.k.a, the American Dream personified and it comes off with an earnestness you just weren't expecting.
If you know the history of Kiss, you know what's in roughly half this book; if you've read any of the seemingly hundreds of interviews Simmons has done in mags like Hit Parader or RIP over the years, you're aware of the other half. Simmons seems aware of this as he mostly glosses over the most recognizable parts of, um, "Kisstory" in brief, digestible style. He concentrates far more on his personal life (his mother, longtime companion Shannon Tweed and their two kids) and on the roller-coaster behind the scenes business that's gone into Kiss over the years.
There is some dirt; he talks about those 70s front-page relationships with Cher and Diana Ross, all the groupies as well as the troubles he and Paul Stanley have had with Ace Frehley and Peter Criss since the band started . ( There is a picture of Ace in here that ...well, let's just say after Frehley sees it, that may be it for anymore Kiss reunions.) A good book, but no bombshells that would interest anyone other than Kiss fans or
70s [fans].
Rating:
Summary: Interesting Read Into Gene & The Machine Called KISS
Review: A good book and an easy read. This book dives head first into Chaim Witz's (aka Gene "tongue-like-an-eel" Simmons) childhood beginning in Haifa, Israel and on to the streets of Brooklyn, NY. Teaching 6th grade to kids in Spanish Harlem, almost becoming a Rabbi, producing radio jingles, and finding rock & roll as his choice savior. Shows the personal side of his loves (Cher, Diana Ross, Shannon Tweed & children), his good friend Paul, his loss (most notebly Eric Carr), and the inner strife between Ace Frehley and Peter Criss and why they left the band. Lots of black & white photos' never seen before from the stage, backstage and nowhere near the stage. Gene Simmons has driven down other roads as well... acting, promoting, record producing... and now writing. You also get the notion that there is a softer side to this untamed animal... that maybe in a strange sort of way people mean something to Gene... that the material side of life is almost meaningless. Naw, Simmons is a money making machine and he's driven by the all-mighty dollar. Kiss fans will notice too many slams against Peter & Ace and fill-in Vincent (no wonder he didn't stick around very long). If you saw any video from their "Unplugged" tour, you'll see Gene opening his arms to both Peter & Ace... not because they are long lost friends, but only because they will make his wallet a bit fatter by rejoining KISS on tour. Overall a decent book, but not very deep. I mean, where were you guys and what were you doing when you were writing some of your classic tunes? What were some of your ideas and hidden meanings behind some of the songs? Who came up with the costumes each year? What was it like on the road (Europe, Japan, U.S., etc)? Which cities rocked and where did you hate playing? Who was the best/worst bands KISS toured with and why? Too bad there's very little mentioned on the history of the band. This is an opportunity missed.
Rating:
Summary: Great Autobiography By A Great Artist
Review: I have waited all year for this book to come out - I picked it up yesterday - and it was definately worth the wait. It is a MUCH smoother and more interesting read than any other music autobiography I have ever read (Ian Gillan, Bill Wyman, John Densmore, David Lee Roth, etc.). The chapters on KISS are incredibly interesting because he delves into the attitudes and actions of the individual band members (Peter and Ace, wow, what a team they were!) as well as the management. The early chapters which deal with Chaim/Gene's upbringing are equally worth the read. This extrememly well written book about a poor Jewish kid who rises up to be in the world's biggest rock band is NOT for KISS die-hard fans only. It's a great read for anyone. Buy it.
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