Rating:  Summary: Not Great but not Bad, interesting and entertaining Review: Funny but reading all these reviews, people either love or hate these books. I think they're simply entertaining, like one long Tom Clancy.The first one got me hooked, the second was a real dog, but the third and fourth have turned out pretty good. I'll be grabbing the 5th by the end of the week. BUT, don't get all hung up on the religious bend, its interesting but its just a piece of fiction. That these guys decided to use material from the bible is clever. Read it, hate it or enjoy it, but go to the bible if this story influences you in any way. Or better yet, talk to clergy about this stuff if it bothers you. The action and plots are pretty good but the female characters are pathetically weak (but its two male writers so no surprise there) and sometimes the events go from really slow to super speed. Something will last 24 hours and take up six chapters and then six months of stuff will happen in two pages. Its definitely jerky in its overall pace. I'm catholic but not overly religious. Curiosity regarding whats going to happen next keeps me buying the books, its like an ongoing soap opera.
Rating:  Summary: Awful - awful - awful Review: I can't describe, in the space allotted, how truly awful this book is. If you're a reader, than this book will burn your brain through its sheer badness. Diction, character development, plot...awful, awful, awful. If you're into it for the theology, you should know that the "pre-trib" Rapture scenario is a modern myth devised by a schismatic Fundamentalist sect in the early 1900s, and is completely foreign to historical Baptist, Reformed, and other Christian traditions. (2 Thess. pretty much rules out the possibility of a pre-trib rapture, if you need a Scripture reference.) An awful book. Awful.
Rating:  Summary: Lighten Up!!! Review: I am an avid reader who generally reads Stephen King, Kootz, etc., and while I am saved, I admittedly have not lived my life according to the "word" for some time. The series, while I admit is not very well written, has been a tremendous help for me. It has taught me a great deal about the Bible in such a way that I want to learn more. As far as accuracy, it's pretty obvious that there hundreds of interpretations, so lighten up, this is Lahaye and Jenkins' interpretation - the most accepted interpretation being King James'. For the "Christian on the Fence" I think it's a great learning tool and can guide you in the direction of Christ, which hopefully is the authors' goal. Since I began this series I have I probably wouldn't recommend this series to a devout Christian since they undoubtedly have their own interpretations of Revelations; however, it may make a world of difference. READ ON!!!!
Rating:  Summary: Be prepared Review: You'll either like it or you'll hate it. No middle ground here (no pun intended). But be prepared because, if you like it, there are A BUNCH more. To be honest, neither my husband or I care much about the Rapture. We don't spend any time thinking about it. Still, we both read this one book and ended up - within a very short period of time- buying all of the available books and reading them. And we try to get our friends to read them. Not to convert them, but because it is a very enjoyable book .. um, series of books. It is a very easy to read book, written probably on a fifth or sixth grade level (made for a broad market, obviously). It is primarily action based and the emotional bonds of the characters are thin and unrealistic - at least where I live. Our culture is way beyond describing a relationship as getting to a hand holding stage over the course of several weeks. So, what? It's not a romance. The action usually keeps a good pace and I really enjoyed reading the whole series (that's in print). You either will or you won't. But be prepared if you do ... there's many many more after this one.
Rating:  Summary: I'm left behind Review: As a conservative Christian who takes prophecy pretty seriously, I was disappointed that Jenkins and LaHaye didn't take enough time to explain in depth the Bible evidence for the rapture theory. Perhaps they were preaching to the choir but it left behind those of us who are unfamiliar with or disagree with their concept of the end times. Aside from 2 or 3 actual scripture references or allusions we simply have to take their word for it. They had plenty of opportunity even in a novel to let the Bible speak for itself without slowing down their plot.
Rating:  Summary: Dont leave this book Behind Review: When I fist heard of this book, I couldnt understand how it would be good. Im not a big church goer or religios person myself. But the first book of the series sets the plot very nicely. The authors developed the characters rather excuisitly. The book flows as one and there are no parts where you are confused as to what happens becuase the authors explain everything very detailed which can become a bit tedious to read but it gives you the better picture. The way the authors related this to the Revelations is amazing, after reading these books I looked at the book of Revelations myself and it all seemed very confusing but the authors explained it in a way that anybody can understand.
Rating:  Summary: A Good Read Review: I was one of the many Christians that quickly dismissed this series of books right out of the gate. Now I'm eating a little bit of crow here. I picked up Left Behind out of curiosity and I enjoyed it very much. In fact, I picked up Tribulation Force before I had even finished Left Behind. What I am most frustrated at with these reviews is the high amount of "readers" who didn't even finish the book but feel they can write a review. One "reader" in particular didn't have the facts straight in the book, e.g. mormons going to heaven or the writers saying they were the only ones going to heaven. If you are going to critique a book, movie, or any other form of medium, do yourself, the writers, and other readers the courtesy of finishing the work before spouting off. Reviews done in that manner are not fit for anymore comment. With that bit of ranting out of the way, I'll hit on the book. It is true that the literary style is not the best, but's that ok. The theology of the book is on target with that of Scripture and while there is some speculation, it does not hinder the read. It is a fast book that keeps you interested. I look forward to finishing up the second book and moving on to the others. Jenkins and LeHaye should be congratulated for doing what many other Christian writings have not been able to do, get their work out into the secular market for everyone to read. God uses and plants seeds wherever the soil is fertile.
Rating:  Summary: Not a very strong start Review: Having read each book to date of the Left Behind series, I can honestly say that the original "Left Behind" is the worst of the bunch. Why? Because the character development is so limited, and even flawed in places. In the initial book, so much emphasis is placed on "setting the stage" for the story, we never get to meet the characters. The mark of a good novel is one where you associate closely with the characters. In Left Behind, I felt more as if I were trying to associate with cardboard cutouts of actual characters than real people. However, the story itself remains riveting, and the story line a sure winner with religious and non-religious readers alike. If you were turned off (as I was) by the writing in the original "Left Behind," don't be discouraged. The character development picks up in book two and only gets better as the series continues.
Rating:  Summary: Interesting comments Review: One person writes, "I'm a Christian who doesn't necessarily believe in the rapture." Right, that's like being partially pregnant. Another responds that the book is fictitious and the bible doesn't talk about the rapture. Oh dear! I think the authors have done a wonderful job. They've brought the message of God (and the details) to the masses. Let's face it, very few people know of the rapture and really read the bible. Even Christians. That's the only way I can explain how someone can read the bible and then proclaim that it does not talk of this. Yes, the word "raptured" is not used. So because of that, the bible does not talk of this event? Call it what you want, second comming, rapture, when God takes his people, whatever. The bible talks about it people. Two people in the field, one will be taken one will be left standing? Jesus talks about this in the first four books of the new testament. Read the book of Revelation, the last book of the bible. If you do, and still don't believe in the "rapture", READ IT AGAIN! I think that the authors are not worried about wonderful prose and slick wording. They're more concerned with getting a message across to people who do not give the bible enough effort. ARE YOU HEARING THE MESSAGE?
Rating:  Summary: I'm hooked! Review: I said to myself that I would just read this book, but not the others in the series. Then I knew that I would be buying Tribulation Force before I finished this one. Started Tribulation Force last night (Wednesday) and I'll be surprised if I'm not finished by Saturday.
|