I'm giving this book four stars not because I agree with everything Simmons writes, but because I think it's a smart, engaging look at an important aspect of life which -- as he himself points out -- too many people don't think clearly about.

“So much of our popular mythology focuses on the negative aspects of power that we forget that gaining power is, perhaps, the only way to enable ourselves to make a difference in our lives and in the lives of others.”

Gene Simmons was born in Israel and began his life in poverty. His father walked out when he was very young, and his mother worked hard to support them, setting a powerful example he would always carry with him. They immigrated to America when he was still a child. As he grew up, he was driven by the desire to have money to be able to take care of his mother. He worked multiple jobs, saved his money, and made the conscious, deliberate choice to adapt his accent, his appearance, and his name to become more like those he observed to have power.

Simmons criticizes the idea that having power is inherently wrong, pointing out that power enables someone to accomplish their goals, to build a better life for themselves and those they care about, and have the ability to do meaningful good in the world. And I think he's right. Power and money are neutral in themselves. It's what a person does with them -- and to achieve them -- that carry ethical weight.

And this is where Simmons' himself becomes an interesting case study. While he does not advocate criminal behavior, he states again and again that a person needs to be ready to do whatever is necessary to achieve power and not worry too much about their own tender feelings. Flatter, lie, replace your deadbeat friends, if that's what it takes. If you're a beautiful woman, use that to your advantage without qualms. Once you're in power you can work to change the rules, but until then, ruthless pragmatism is necessary. And a lot of hard work. Although unashamedly Machiavellian in his outlook, Simmons pulls no punches about his belief in the necessity of working harder than anyone else, improving one's self, and achieving mastery of one's craft/art/business. His essential message is work hard, play the game, adapt yourself, and get to the top. Once you're there, you can take care of your loved ones, donate to charity (he lists, without self-congratulation, the charities he himself supports), and help others. "Secure your own breathing mask first," he orders. "Then you can help others."

It is only late in the book, when he discusses Warren Buffett, that Simmons discusses the importance of ethics in the drive to power. He admires Buffett's integrity and honesty and points out that they are essential to success. While not stating it directly, comparing the two sections of his book, he clearly considers social dishonesty acceptable as part of advancing one's self, but one's business ethics need to be above reproach.

The second half of the book is a series of case studies of successful people he admires, including Napoleon, Oprah, Michael Jordan, Buffett and others. They are less interesting than his own stories, but do provide a useful range of examples of different personalities and areas of achievement.

I think this would be a great book to read with one's kids (or other adults) and discuss. What do you think of power? What are the consequences of having it versus not having it? What are the ethical considerations? Do the ends always justify the means? How are you willing to change yourself -- or not -- to get what you want? Does power always corrupt? How did the people in Simmons' case studies -- and he himself -- change themselves or remain true to themselves in the course of their lives? Whether you agree with everything Simmons says or not, he offers a lot of food for thought.

Best of all, Simmons is a good writer. This isn't going to be a college textbook, but it's intelligent, easy to read, clear in its arguments, and frequently entertaining.

I was never a fan of KISS, but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed getting to know Gene Simmons a bit and spending some time in his virtual company. ( )

Gene Simmons On Power🍒🍒🍒
By Gene Simmons
2017

It's a small, black and not very thick book. If not for its size, I may have missed it entirely. It's small size is why I noticed it. And it's how I have come to understand or "know" this man in a more " personal" way. A man who never stopped believing in himself and never gave up on his vision of success, or power. Power = Money. This is a man whose ego has no boundaries and that is exactly how and why he is the man we know today as Gene Simmons.Wealthy. Comfortable. Intelligent about who he is, what he is and what he wants. What inspired him to become Gene Simmons. And he's proud of it.

"You must be in a position of power if you are going to make a difference to those without power" p. 27.

Gene has truly made himself- his self created image, his beliefs and definition of power, his philosophies on life- into a marketing commodity. He sold it to the world. And the world bought it. Loved it. Bought it by the millions.

"Power is an inconvenient truth, a necessity, whether we like to admit it. To throw a little philosophy in, it is my opinion (and, really, everything in this book is my opinion) that if you can stand in front of me in clean clothes, knowing how to read, with food in your belly, and say things like "I don't care about money" or "Power corrupts", you are able to do so only because you are sheltered. Frankly you are lucky to be standing on the backs of those with power without realizing it" p.31

((He seems to have it backward. The truth no rich person wants to admit, Gene included, is how they like to claim the rise to power is on the backs of them, the wealthy; however relying on those "below " him to buy into his image and buy his product is how he became a self made man. While the wealthy want to believe everyone else rely on them and rides their backs, the reality is the opposite.))

Athough most peoples definition of power may differ vastly from his ( and thankfully, mine are nothing like his and I will never ever be anything like him)you have to admire his ability to use every person and situation to further himself. To define and go after your goal with tenacity and not caring who you run over. ......and to honestly not believe power corrupts....
He never gave up on his vision......

Interesting read..... ( )