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Summary: Finally figured it out...
Review: This book is the best of the series, and yesterday I realized why. For the first time in the entire set of books, we finally see a person -Rayford- become genuinely hurt by the horrible situation he is in. Millions -check that- BILLIONS have died or disapeared by the beginning of the 6th book, and all anyone in the Trib Force seemed to think about was the task at hand, or how wonderful Jesus is. Finally, Rayford reacts as many of us would in the same situation: sheer, uncontained rage. By the end of the 6th book, he has lost his son, BOTH of his wives and at least two members of the "Force." His home and city that he lives in has been reduced to rubble and a former friend had been impregnated by the Anti-Christ. Not to mention the fact that he has seen some of the most horrible events in the history of the known universe: plagues of locusts, fire and brimstone. For crying out loud, it is about time someone began to doubt their sanity! Unfortunately, however, the authors still resort to using background on the characters as not-so-thinly veiled sermons about sin and Christ as Savior. I realize that the authors are Christian theologians, and ultimately these books are evangelism, but it seems they missed the point. The interpretation of Revelation's plagues and horrors these people encounter are enough for the hairs on your neck to stand on end. Why not give more introspectives into the character's feelings and emotions through dealing with these events? Rayford is broken, and for the first time we see a man at odds with himself, the world and God. His rage during the burial scene in the first third of the book is the closest I have come to absolute empathy with the members of the Force. It is at these junctures that we can truly see what a force God can be in one's life. A prayer session to an outsider (like myself) is little more than a reason to skim a page. I have been more convinced of the power of Christ and religion by this book than any of the others, only because the characters (especially Rayford) are humans first, and Christians second. He has feelings of regret about bribing someone to find the location of Hattie, and he looks inside- a personal monologue to God- for the answer. It is my hope that the authors continue this trend; moving away from blatant sermons and into the aspects of a personal relationship with Christ.
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Summary: No question, This is the best of the series!
Review: This book is by far the best of the series. I agree that there are some tedious chapters in the first five books, however this novel moves much faster. As a reader, you have to look past the redundance and simplicity of the writing style and look for the true meaning of this series. The authors continue to impress me with thier ability to accurately tie scripture into the plot while maintaining a high level of suspense. They have taken a difficult subject and made it easy for both believers and nonbelievers to follow the chain of events. My only problem is that I have to wait six months to find out what comes next. This is a must read, but you must read the series in succession.
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Summary: Left Behind is spinning it's wheels
Review: I'll admit that I do enjoy this series of books. I'm hardly a Conservative Christian who is living each day for the Gorious Appearing of Jesus Christ, but I do enjoy a good end-times story as much as the next person. Granted you better be prepared for a whole lot of preaching and a single-minded viewpoint if you're going to read this series. The series officially turns the corner this time around as the Tribulation Force make plans for the assaination of Nicolae Carpathia. They know that God will select someone to do the deed and they all want the job, but in the end only one person will be responsible. And that person will probably die themselves. Meanwhile, the airhead stewardess, Hattie Durham, runs away from the safe house, supposedly to get a chance to kill her ex-hubby, Nicolae. This is a good thing, because she rarely appears in this novel. Hattie is a horrible caricature that LeHaye portrayed, and the series will be much better if she weren't in it. Basically, the story slowly progresses, leading to the assination at the end of the novel and a cliffhanger that they hope will make you want to come back for more. This is a good work of fiction, with an exciting storyline, but the characters are paper-thin and the dialogue is ridiculous. More then once I rolled my eyes when I read lines about characters "dropping to their knees and weeping" about Jesus. Only on staged evangelical shows will you ever see that. Personally, I pray for the people who are reading this series of novels as how they believe the future will play out. It's a very loose interpretation of the book of Revelations, but it is merely a work of fiction. Let's not forget that.
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Summary: Leave's me hurting for MORE
Review: After the first five books I knew that I would have to slow down because I would have to wait for the 7th in the spring of 2000. Well hurry up BOYS times a wasting. This was one of the hardest books for me to read. The story line captivates your inner self and throws you into the pictures that unfold in each segment. You live the lives of each character not knowing what is in front of you. You want to be there to assist in each trial, you want to console them, you want the rest of the world to open their hearts and minds to the one true GOD of man and least of all to be as strong as all of them seem to be. You ask yourself a million times "Is my faith strong enough to endure the future as it is written?" So come on Jerry and Tim get the next one out. Everyone that has joined my husband and myself in reading this series have devoted ourselves to more open discussions and you wouldn't believe the number of people that is involved in our group now. My grandchildren are reading the kids version and so far enjoy the reading. The company I work for has agreed to assist in developing a library for all religions so books can be shared with those that can't afford them. Thank you Jerry and Tim, I hope to someday meet you both and thank you for all of us that appreciate the talent that you have. GOD Bless
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Summary: Suspenseful Fiction?
Review: I've read all but The Indwelling in this series and found this one to be entertaining but a little drawn out. Besides the continuing saga of good vs. evil as portrayed by Buck, Rayford and other believers against Carpathia and his henchmen, the book continues to move along in its narrative of the end days. The specualtive interpretation, based on Biblical Phrophecy is full of God's message all be it not so suttle at times. If you've read the others in this series you probably will read this book no matter what is said. If you're new I suggest you start with the original to get a complete feel for Jenkin's and LaHaye's apacopalyptic vision. If you just want to jump into the series, don't do it here as this book is a bit drawn out. I found myself saying "OK kill him already"! I thought there would be much more to this installment than there was but nonetheless found it rewarding. For believers and non-believers alike this is a fun book that will at least make you think and hopefully be a better person. There are tons of reviews for this book but I told myself I would review all in the series, so, peace be with you, share the spirit.
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Summary: Clock is ticking on AntiChrist's Reign.
Review: Assassins picks up shortly after the last few afflicted by the Demon Locusts in Apollyon have recovered. Rayford Steele is getting a very itchy trigger finger, a Trib. Force member dies, and 200 or so million horsemen gallop around the globe, choking and burning unbelievers to death. Not a happy time for all involved, and it shows. Assassins is a more somber and mature chapter than Apollyon as the Believers continue to wage war against the AntiChrist's growing power, but what is the point? The outcome is predetermined and, rather than continually lying, cheating, and stealing, shouldn't these believers be trying to convert and save the lost? Although the story is still told in Jenkins's trademarked breezy and action emphasizing style, the author does have his characters confront some serious ethical issues (especially Rayford, who is coming apart at the seams in this outing) and, while this does rob the book of some level of escapist fun, it makes for a more thoughtful read than one would expect from a Left Behind book. Recommended.
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Summary: Exciting second half saves this book.
Review: Halfway through the last installment of the "Left Behind" series, I was a bit disappointed. The pace seemed slow to the point I thought I was treading water. But second half...nice buildup to a cliffhanger ending! I guess if one has invested the time to read all six books in this series, you would have to call them hooked. Like others, I am really looking forward to the next one. Two books a year is just right. The interval gives you something spiritual and uplifting to look forward to. The "Left Behind" series is a blessing. Regardless of the specifics of your personal beliefs, this series gets you talking and reading Revelations for yourself.
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Summary: Not My Favorite Of The Series
Review: This one let me down a little. I love the series as a whole, but I think Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins had a cold streak on this one. Compared to The Mark or Soul Harvest it doesn't hold up. But ya can't go skippin' books now can you? Force your way through it. You don't even wanna know what I thought of The Indwelling. I'll skip that review.
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Summary: The Climax Esculates as the Great Tribulation Unfolds
Review: 'Assassins: Assignment: Jersalem, Target: AntiChrist,' book #6 of the 'Left Behind series' reaches it's climatic confrontation of the forces of good and evil battle for supermacy in a world without leadership. A Horde of 200 million demonic horsemen slays a third of the world population. The Tribulation Force face the future as fugitives risking their lives to warn others of the Great Deception of the AntiChrist. It's here that history and prophecy come together in Jerusalem for the most breathless and explosive episode in a plot to destroy the AntiChrist as foretold in Revelation 13:1-2.
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Summary: The continuing story of those Left Behind...
Review: After reading "Conquest of Paradise" by Britt Gillette, I was instantly turned onto biblical end times literature, and I instantly started reading the Left Behind series. From book one, I was totally hooked, and I've read up through book seven in less than a couple of weeks. In "Assassins", the adventure and intrigue of the Left Behind series continues unabated with an interesting twist. Unlike the others, this book concentrates on a fundamental theological question: "Is it righteous to kill someone who is evil?" While the antichrist, Nicolae Carpathia, works around the clock to rebuild the world's infrastructure and government to serve his own ends, the Tribulation Force and member Rayford Steele struggle spiritually with a plan to assassinate Carpathia. Meanwhile, Buck Williams builds a large following via his Internet magazine The Truth, and Hattie Durham (former colleague of Rayford Steele and former mistress of Carpathia) joins the ranks of the true believers in the Tribulation Force. "Assassins" continues the brilliant storytelling of LaHaye and Jenkins with masterful suspense and full cognizance of the scriptures. Fans who have made it this far will not be disappointed. I can't wait to find out what happens next. I look forward to reading books seven through twelve, and I encourage other Left Behind fans to pick up "Conquest of Paradise: An End-Times Nano-Thriller" as additional reading. That book got me interested in this series, and what a great book! What "Left Behind" lacks in realism, "Conquest of Paradise" adds in abundance. The prose is much more advanced and the international politics are identical to the current world scene and the war on terror. Peppered with biblical verses, "Conquest of Paradise" will turn even the most hardened skeptics into believers, or at least it will make them think twice. It's one lovers of end-times fiction shouldn't miss. Book seven, "The Indwelling" continues the adventures of the Tribulation Force, and the infamous antichrist becomes indwelled by the devil himself. Can't wait to read the rest!
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