Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days (Left Behind, 1)

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Summary: GREAT BOOK! but message should not be taken literally...
Review: This is quite a provocative novel about the end times here on earth and is sure to make a lot of noise (as some of you might have read in the mixed customer reviews). Although I must agree that the book fails to see the complexity of world politics (which was evident in the beginning of the novel, which also transpires throughout the rest of the book), judging the book in that manner of perception is going way beyond the point. I'm sure the aim of the book isn't about right-wing conspiracy theories, or world politics, or predicting the future or whatever... it's plain and clear... it's asking us about our relationship with God and where our faith stands. If you're a believer, you won't have a problem grasping the essence of this book (or the series for that matter). But if you're not, it's either that you'll feel that it's time to examine your faith, or you'll just throw the whole book away.

As a final note to all who will be reading this book, this is not a substitute for the greatest book of all--the BIBLE! As I have said earlier, the book was written to examine our faith, and not to make predictions on what will happen. The authors just gave their thoughts on what they think will happen. It is written in the Bible that we do not know the time or day Christ will come. So don't take the Left Behind books literally as those Nostradamus fanatics take the quatrains. Instead pray and thank God for accepting His greatest blessing to humankind--Jesus Christ.

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Summary: A WAKEUP CALL!!
Review: This book is not written to teach history,economics,or 100% FACT.This book is an emotional vision of an example of what the world may be like during the times of the rapture and shortly after.I am very knowledgable on the end times,and I would suggest this book to everyone.It makes you look deep inside yourself.

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Summary: For those who do not understand......
Review: (...)With that said, this is a wonderful book. It is a great study of end times prophecy as told in the Bible. Some liberties have obviously been taken to make this an exciting and interesting read. If a person wants to read simply about end times prophecy, that person can simply read a work of nonfiction or even the Bible itself. If a person is looking for entertaining reading and thought provoking scenarios, this is a good series that I highly recommend. Admittedly, this is an action series with very little "down time" for the characters between disasters. I suggest a study of Revalation would help any reader to put this series into perspective as they read this series.
Bottom line.....a very well written and thought provoking series with lots of action.

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Summary: Wow!
Review: I held off reading Left Behind even after hearing all the rave reviews. I'm not one to enjoy having religion shoved down my throat. However I finally got around to reading Left Behind. Left Behind is the first religious fiction book I've ever read. I'm hooked! Even if you don't consider yourself religious, you will still thoroughly enjoy this book. Excellent writing and an excellent plot. This book is not to be missed!

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Summary: Cristi White
Review: I loved it! Really is thought provoking and really makes you want to be sure you're walking right with Christ -- to be SURE you're saved. The book is MUCH better than the video. I'm on Book #3 now.

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Summary: Very Bad Representation of Christianity
Review: I recently converted to Christianity from agnosticism. I decided to read the Left Behind Series after a friend recommended them to me as "the most monumental happening in Christian fiction ever." I picked up the first book, Left Behind, and read it. I am rather taken aback by the fact that it is so poorly written. The main flaw is that the writing is for 5th graders. But above and beyond that is the transparent plot, which is laced with silly boy meets girl happenings. Now I am all for that sort of thing when it is appropriate, BUT THESE ARE NOVELS ABOUT THE ENDTIMES. SHOULD I CARE IF CHLOE LOVES SOME ROGUE AUTHOR??? Also, I fully disapprove of the choice of protagonists. It seems that they are all white Anglo-saxon Protestants. Why couldn't Rayford Steele be Rayford Clemente? Or Buck Williams be Bolko Stanikowski? Well, from what I can tell the author seems to have a distinct bias against Eastern-Europeans.

This book is, however, better the Larry Burkett's stinker, Illuminati (which was an oddysse of ignorance). Overall, I have been disappointed with the quality of most Christian fiction I have read. If possible, could anyone out there email me the name of something better ([e-mail]).

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Summary: Nothing left to say
Review: Left Behind chronciles the beginning of the end of the World in the eyes of two skeptics turned believers (Richard Steele, airline pilot, and Buck Williams, magazine writer). I am in no position to debate the religious accuracy of the authors' interpretation of the Rapture. Although I am God-fearing, I am not a practicing member of any religious establishment.

From a literary perspective, I believe this to be a solid work as it lays the ground work of the books in the series that follows. The plot was solid and the ending well done. Yes, this is a work of Christian fiction, and those on the intellectual establishment are likely to be offended by the authors dissing of its point of view. Yet, that's probably precisely why this series is so popular. Religion is more an influence in Americans lives than the left would like us to believe.

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Summary: Left Behind Through The Mark
Review: I've read all of the books through The Mark. As a Christian reading these books, I'm torn at what's a fair rating. Artistically, I'm not that impressed with the writing style. I found it hard to identify with any of the characters. The child-like behavior didn't convince me that these people were taking their situation seriously. Taking 8 books to reach the mid point of the tribulation was a bit much. This could have been accomplished with 3 books. Now I read there will be 12 books total for the entire "Left Behind" series. My recommendation...read this series if you're fascinated with end times bible prophecy...otherwise stay away.

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Summary: Not What Bible Teaches About the End
Review: Unfortunately, this kind of book sells so well because Americans are Biblically illiterate.

The premillenial dispensationalism which backs it up does not square with what Holy Scripture teaches. Oh, those who make a living teaching it on TV with their charts and analyses of current events can point to Bible passages.

End times requires one to understand all of God's Word, not just one verse from Revelation 20. One must come to grips with how OT prophecy is fulfilled, and what is meant by "true Israel" both in the Old and New Testaments.

For an accurate review of this book, see www.lcms.org.office of the president, "The 'Left Behind' View is Out of Left Field." For both sides of the interpretation issue, see Charles Ryrie, "Dispensationalism Today," opposed directly by Hans LaRondelle in "The Israel of God in Prophecy."

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Summary: Mediocre, but entertaining
Review: This series' success saddens me - is it right that Christians should be satisfied with such obvious mediocrity? As followers of Christ we should do all to the best of our ability, and this series falls far short of the excellence that the authors ought to have striven for. While the theology is good and the Gospel is presented clearly, the writing is so bad that I feel guilty recommending this series to friends. There are some obvious flaws in the story also (do they honestly expect us to believe that all 12-year-olds will be included in the rapture?), although I admit the stories are very well thought-out and the characters are endearing in spite of their shallowness. I think this series could have been excellent if the authors had taken the time to write them well and given us good literature. However, they are indeed entertaining, and I somewhat sheepishly admit that I have enjoyed the brainless distraction they have given me.

But perhaps the most disturbing aspect of it all is making entertainment out of the tribulation - a thing not remotely entertaining, and not to be made light of. I still wonder if God approves.