The Art of Kissing

by William Cane

This is a book on the art of kissing which includes an index of exciting or exotic kissing including the Candy Kiss, the Perfume Kiss, the Underwater Kiss and the Electric Kiss. Also included are explanations of the different techniques of kissing in varying parts of the world, and it includes a section on kissing protocol with advice on when to look, what to do with your hands, how to kiss in a car, at the cinema, and when to kiss on a date.

Genres: Nonfiction, Relationships, Romance, Sexuality, Self Help, Love, Reference

176 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 1994

About the author

William Cane has had a distinguished career as a professor of English at CUNY and Boston College, where he helped a generation of students improve their prose. Cane is the author of six books, including the international bestseller THE ART OF KISSING (St. Martin’s 1991; revised editions 1995 and 2005), which sold more than 100,000 copies in the U.S. and was translated into nineteen languages. The tremendous popularity of this title launched a series of successful follow-up books with St. Martins: THE BOOK OF KISSES (1993), THE ART OF HUGGING (1996), THE ART OF KISSING BOOK OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (1999), and KISS LIKE A STAR (2007). Cane’s self-help title THE BIRTH ORDER BOOK OF LOVE was published by Da Capo / Perseus Books in 2008. His book WRITE LIKE THE MASTERS was published by Writer’s Digest in 2009.

An attorney and a highly sought-after speaker on the college lecture circuit, Cane has appeared on almost every major television talk show, including Today, The View, and CBS This Morning. His work has been featured in print and electronic media internationally and has appeared in such publications as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Elle, and Seventeen.

Reviews

[Rosalía · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, a decent book that taught me several exciting new techniques. I think it is a worthwhile read for the inexperienced kisser, and I would have learned quite a bit twenty years ago. For the bashful young man, it is a textbook for making out successfully.What startled me is that it said 97% of women love to be kissed on the neck, that it drives them wild, makes them crazy. I guess I'm not the only one. Kiss me on my neck and I turn into melted butter.

[Keith Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a book about kissing. (saddest sentence ever) That is like attending a seminar on partying. Actually, I read it because I sometimes use a random number generator to select books to read. I wondered how long it would take before it picked something embarrassing. The book is interesting and funny, but it helps if you read it in the voice of Tim Meadows' Ladies Man character from SNL.

[Charity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course it's a 5!!.. We all know how I love a good kiss.

[Tressa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is well written and the personal interviews of people's first kiss or best kiss or worst kiss kept it interesting. I just don't understand why someone has to read a book on HOW to kiss. Who doesn't know the art of neck kissing, ear kissing, french kissing, or the 27 other kisses? You didn't know there are 30 different kisses? I didn't either. If you're curious this is the book for you.

There is a useful chapter on how to tell if a guy or gal wants to kiss you. Those hints are oft times too subtle or outright unreadable.

Cute book to read in February.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think kissing is both supremely important AND an art AND one of the most fun things you could possibly spend your time doing :oP. Especially with a person who feels the same way about it. I love being adventurous with it and so I love the ideas in this book! And the fact that it even is a book! 4 stars not 5 'cause I can think of even more things that he did not include haha :oP A cute, fluffy little book to have around!

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was so much fun to click the "self" shelf when I went perusing my shelves to see where I could put this. Ha! This was a birthday gift/pre-vacation gift from a good friend. It was meant to provide drastic improvements to my vacation. Alas, I read it a bit late for that, but perhaps another time. Mostly I had lots of flashbacks while reading it. There were definitely some laughs. I thought it somewhat instructive but mostly just entertaining. It made me smile several times. Also made me smug that some of mine were not covered in it. Good times. I reckon if you ever get tired of kissing or think it can become monotonous, this is a good place to go for tips, but as it happens, I'm at rather the opposite end of the spectrum. I've certainly never tired of it.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

While unpacking this past week, I found this flirty little book I got at my bridal shower. I thought I would read it through to determine if it was a keeper. It was cute and fun and tasteful. Most of the kisses were old favorites, but there were a few also that made me curious to try. ;)
I liked the comments in each chapter about what guys and gals thought of each type of kiss. Good to know stuff.
For a fun, flirty way to spice up your kissing repertoire, I recommend this book.
*smooches*

[Vicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Who knew there were so many kinds of kisses. This is a small book so I read it in less than a day. It's am easy read and enjoyable, but not overly informative unless you're new to kissing. I did learn, if only I could remember them all, the names for different styles and types of kisses. I'd recommend reading it with a girl/boyfriend or partner and practicing as you go along. It would make for a fun evening.

[Amy Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who's never been kissed yet,I found this to be a delightful, romantic and very informative guide!
The writing style is very friendly and fun,it feels like juicy gossip with a friend. I consider that quite a feat considering the author is a man and most relationship guides by men I've read have been pretty outdated or flawed in some way, usually making 'Boys will be boys' excuses for unfaithful or bad behaviour,but that wasn't the case here, Cane manages to be completely equal to both genders in his approach.

The book is straight to the point,no extraneous or dull filler. It includes a kissing guide with step by step instructions for many kisses, kisses from around the world and kissing tips. There's also lots of thoughts and feedback on the various techniques from men and women.

A really fun little book and one I hope to put to good use on my soulmate when he arrives!

[Alisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, I have now forfilled my promise to a friend and read this friggin book.. Lord help me if she ever asks me to read anything again.

This book is kind of retarded... I understand that some people want to learn how to kiss and need instructions on it.. but.. come on.. dry, wet, sloppy, slobbering,... really, we need to know about all this?

[Charlie Tembresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ever heard of a “butterfly kiss”? Or maybe “Lip – O – Suction”? If you haven’t, read the book. If you’re bored with French Kissing, read the book. However, take my word for it. Reading the book doesn’t make you a good kisser, practice do.

[Landry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Playful, passionate and flirtatious ... more than just a how-to manual or an overview of technique. The Art of Kissing explores the craft this most intimate form of communication.

[HeavyReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book at the Friends of the Public Library book sale. It's a small book, but includes lots of kissing tips and techniques.

[Fostergrants · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is cute. i had the older version that i kept in the guest bathroom with other cute little books. guests like cute things. did i mention it was cute?

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

How to kiss of course.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

if kissing came naturally then this book would have never been written. but it doesn't and everyone likes a different kiss. this book is great.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

super cute book! must read

[Jan Moens · Rating 2 out of 5]

5/10

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haha, I remember reading this book as a joke when I was a kid. It's interesting, that's for sure. Some of it is slightly ridiculous, the way the author waxes on about details.

[Gheeta · Rating 2 out of 5]

I rather funny little book...Horrible flashbacks to high school and early college.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

The books Kristilee sends me crack me up, but they're pretty fun to read. Enjoyable book.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this when I was 15. It's a cute and informative book, which gives a 15 year old lots of ideas. Not sure how useful it would be for an adult.

[Hajar Msk]

After reading the book I realised that I'm a good kisser anyway I had fun reading it , at first I thought that it would be full of scientific facts but it turned out to be a funny book :)

[⋆☆☽ Jen ☾☆⋆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Libro carino, interessante e simpatico :)

[Jbussen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written for the inexperienced kisser and the haven’t started to kiss yet and really nervous about screwing it up group. I would have LOVED this 35 years ago. It had a part on what to do if your noses collide, OMFG! My first kiss ever! Horrible. Horrible. (Let pass like ships in the night). For the bashful inexperienced young person, there is a chapter on how to tell if a guy or gal wants to kiss you. (Author is fair to both sexes btw) It is a textbook for making out successfully. For the woman, you will know if your Beau has done this to more girls than you.
Book is a detailed kissing guide with step-by-step 1-2-3 instructions for many kisses, kisses from around the world and kissing tips. There's also lots of thoughts and feedback on the various techniques from men and women on their first kiss or best kiss or worst kiss. Useful tips like 97% of women love to be kissed on the neck, "drives them wild, makes them crazy”. And suggests fun games like swapping gum in a kiss. (You remember that one don’t cha!)
“The book is interesting and funny, but it helps if you read it in the voice of Tim Meadows' Ladies Man character from SNL” from another review.

[Roberto · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess I decided to read this book hoping to possibly improve my kissing technique - but it turns out I must be a pretty good (and imaginative) kisser already! Although many of the chapters feel frivolous and silly (The Underwater Kiss, The Music Kiss, The Perfume Kiss, etc); I suppose to be complete the book needs to address all known types of kisses. The absolute and unquestionable highlight of the book though, was learning about the chimps Athena and Humphrey! A peek into prehistory and the very origins of kissing! :

“When anthropologist Jane Goodall studied chimpanzees at the Gombe National Park in Tanzania, Africa, she discovered that they kissed for a variety of different reasons and in a number of different social contexts. Some chimps kissed as a submissive gesture. They also kissed when greeting chimps they knew, of for what we would consider romantic reasons, such as when developing a relationship. In her book The Chimpanzees of Gombe (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1986) there is a wonderful picture of two chimps kissing in the jungle. The male’s name is Humphrey, and he is sitting with his hands resting on the ground, his head tilted back, his mouth wide open, his eyes closed in pleasure. The female, Athena, is sitting in front of him, her right hand resting on top of his head with her thumb on his left eyebrow, her mouth also open as she kisses him. Goodall reports that the kiss lasted for more than thirty seconds, during which time both chimps panted” - p15, The Art of Kissing, William Cane

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I was 13, I borrowed this book from a library. Every once in a while, I think back to it. So I decided to find it as an adult. I wonder if I actually read every word back then. Because there is some stupid stuff inside.
As an adult, I find it a waste of time. As a youth, I think it may have helped me feel more comfortable.
The upside down kiss chapter talks about kissing your second cousin, wth, because when their upside down, they don't look the same, so it's like you're not related. Seriously, Cane, you are a weirdo.
Also, another part about a babysitter asking the 4 yr old she was babysitting to kiss her all the time. WTH
This book is bizarre and disgusting at times.
I give it a 2 star because there is some slight goodness in there if you're nervous and afraid to ask anyone about it. But don't follow him entirely.

[SelfBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Art of Kissing by William Cane is a playful and insightful guide to mastering the intimate act of kissing, offering creative techniques and new ideas for kissers of all experience levels. From traditional lip-to-lip smooches to the intriguing "Trobriand Island kiss," Cane provides step-by-step instructions based on 16 years of research, interviews, and surveys from kissers worldwide. Blending engaging storytelling with practical advice, the book explores the psychology behind kissing, detailed techniques, and ways to refine your style. While it won’t guarantee a kiss, it’s an invaluable resource for making your next kiss unforgettable.

[Shawna Ridgley · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this book took me a LONG time to read. It is a relatively short book, but I found the writer's "voice" annoying, and would only read small snippets at a time. The subject matter was lighthearted and fun. (I mean who doesn't love kissing right?) I found it interesting that most of the time 20-somethings and/or single people were most often quoted, or their stories are the ones shared. I think a lot more could have been done with this book. There were sections I found amusing, but overall the book wasn't really worth my time.

[Leander · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit of a drag if I am to be honest. Reads like the illegitimate child of a book, and a research paper (that an eighth grader got an F for)

Had read about the 'Trobriand Islands' Kiss' already in this book I was reading the other day- Cyber Sexy.
The Eskimo kiss was old.
The only thing I learnt new was the butterfly kiss, yet even that can't redeem it.
It doesn't mention the Ice Kiss which was kind of surprising tbh.

Two stars.

Wouldn't necessarily recommend.