Rating: 
Summary: Very Entertaining
Review: As I began this book I did so with some reservations. Although I am slowly becoming more religious, I am still put off by the entire Born Again Christian movement. I had seen the series in stores on numerous occasions, but never paid it any attention. However, last week a friend convinced me to try it and I was pleasantly surprised. The Book starts off with the Rapture of the Church and the beginning of the end of the world. I found I was unable to put the book down. Like other reviewers, I found some of the characters to be thinly conceived and lacking depth. However, I still enjoyed the book and did not take away from it's entertainment value. The authors certainly have done their homework and are well versed in scripture, especially in the prophecies dealing with the end of the world. This actually added an element of horror for me, as I find things about Satan and the Anti-Christ to be quite horrifying. As someone who isn't a church goer and not "saved" I would recommend this book to anyone who is simply interested in a good story as well as someone who is either religious or looking to find religion.
Rating: 
Summary: Left Behind series
Review: This is the beginning of a great series of books. I'm not a "literary" person by any means and to put these books in a "class" depends on you view them. Either way you look at them, they reveal a truth about our future and a truth within ourselves, either we're ready and looking forward to Christs' return or what's written in these books is a good rendition of what we are going to face. (Check out Revelatons in an NIV Bible) I hope the readers won't stop at the first book but will read the whole series. It will really open up your mind to the real future. Check out the movie that's coming!
Rating:
Summary: A good start, but poor followup
Review: About halfway through this book a preacher tells his flock what they can expect during the "Tribulation" which has just begun, namely, a series of Judgments which only get worse as time goes on. Unfortunately, the same can be said for the writing in this series. Which is a shame, since the first book is actually quite good, if judged on its own terms. First off, it is written from the perspective that, according to Biblical prophesy, we are about to enter the "End Times," a seven year period of time in which the Antichrist comes to power on Earth. If this sort of religious literalism turns you off, you'd best not try reading this book. On the other hand, if you can accept this, and ignore certain episodes of plot silliness (such as a bizarre Russian attack on Israel), this book is a fine read. Certainly there is plenty of drama as the characters have to deal with the reality of a mass vanishing of millions of people, as well as the rise of a Clintonian style politician from Romania who, despite starting as a minor member of his country's parliament, seems destined to become the leader of the entire planet. That, plus the knowledge that, in just a few years, the Earth will suffer a series of disasters that will dwarf anything in human history, and all the makings of a terrific thriller are here in spades. And this book, the first in a series which now numbers eight volumes, delivers the goods. Unfortunately, the rest of the books in this series just fall flat. The characters are never developed beyond what we see in the first book, and worse, the series seems to descend to a level of shallowness that becomes positively insulting to the intelligence of the reader. Despite living in times of great terror and suffering, one never gets the sense that anyone actually experiences this in any meaningful way. People simply bounce from one adventure and location to another like characters in a James Bond movie. Not to mention, the plot is dragged out waaaay too long. There are supposedly going to be 12 books in all when the series is completed, which at about 400 pages a book, works out to almost 5,000 pages, of which perhaps 4,000 could be edited out with no loss at all to the reader. To be perfectly honest, a savvy reader could save himself a lot of times (and money) by simply reading "Left Behind", then getting the non-fiction work "Are we living in the End Times?" by the same authors, which will at least satisfy your curiosity on the final outcome without having to hack your way through eleven more volumes, the last of which won't even be out for at least another year or two.
Rating:
Summary: This book will change your out-look on the future...
Review: Left behind is the most brilliant work of literature that I have come across in my lifetime. The author of the series, Jerry B. Jenkins, teamed up with Tim Lahaye to create a novel based on the single greatest period of history that the world shall ever experience. Jerry B. Jenkins starts the book just before the rapture, and introduces the reading audience to several characters who live in America when the rapture occurs. The book continues by illustrating the horrific effects that result from Jesus taking his believers with Him back to heaven. The world is in complete chaos when cars are left empty and run wild. Planes go crashing to the earth when pilots and crews are taken, leaving only their clothes behind. The main characters are instantly thrown into a whirlpool of confusion. With their families gone, they have no one to turn to for answers and no way to get their lives back. In this time of crisis, they look toward God and quickly realize what had happened to so many of their friends and loved ones. Jesus Christ had raptured his church, and they had been left behind. Together, these characters build their relationships with Christ and begin to share with others what they discovered. However the world they live in is an unbelieving one, and their faith takes them for the adventure of their lives. Tim Lahaye has an amazing understanding of the tribulation period, and he shares it with us through a fictional novel mixed in with biblical truth. I have learned so much about my own relationship with God as well as the Book of Revelations. It has helped me to understand what is soon to come and prepare for it. After reading this book there will be no doubt in your mind that the rapture is in all of our futures. The way Jerry B. Jenkins uses fictional characters to show us the truth is ingenious and very effective. The characters are developed with remarkable detail, and Mr. Jenkins illustrates the turmoil that the world is going to experience with such precision; you can see it taking place in your mind. This book has already saved so many people from being left behind, and it has only begun. If you are a non-believer, this book is a perfect way to start a relationship with Christ, and see your true purpose in this life. It will show you how to accept Jesus as your savior, and it will help you envision what God has planed for us in the future. If you already have begun your relationship with Christ, this book will take your spiritual journey to a whole new level. No matter who you are this book will reveal to you God's awesome power in a way that only the Book of Revelations has shown us before. This publication will definitely impact your life. And for many of us, it will impact our afterlife as well. Do not read this novel simply for entertainment purposes. The tribulation period is very real, and if you think Tim Lahaye's warning to accept Christ is part of the fiction in this novel, you too will be left behind.
Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: Rayford Steele, an airline pilot, doesn't believe in all the Christian talk he's been hearing from his wife, Irene. She's tried telling him of the Rapture and the Tribulation, but Rayford turned deaf ears toward her. While flying his passenger-loaded airplane one night, a quarter of the passengers dissappear. Rayford realized then that what Irene had told him was true - Christ had come, and he'd been left behind. I absolutely LOVE this book. Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins present the Bible prophecies of the Rapture in ways that we can understand them. And not only that, they make it interesting! The book is loaded with action as Rayford, his daughter Chloe, Bruce Barnes, and Cameron "Buck" Williams befriend each other and prepare to go through the Tribulation together.
Rating:
Summary: The Series -- On a Positive Note
Review: As a Christian, it has always been a challenge to find books with true entertainment value. I received the first 4 books as a gift, and couldn't seem to read fast enough. Understanding that different people view things through different eyes, I have been extremely surprised to see negative reviews about these books. Always thinking of myself as a strong Christian, these books, albeit they are fiction and do not reflect my personal religous beliefs 100%, are a true wake-up call and a must read for believers and non-believers alike! I realized just what a lazy Christian I had become. I now have so much joy and energy from reading the first 4 books that I can hardly wait for the next 3 to be delivered! I have been so moved by the books, I plan to purchase several "Left Behind" books to give away to others because I know people will certainly hear their own "wake up" call on a very personal, spiritual basis. These may not be a 100% accurate accounting of the end times as prophecied in the Bible, but anything that fires Christians and non-Christians alike, is worth every praise we can give to BOTH Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins for their inspiration, foresight and for partnering their writing strenghts to bring such a challenging plot and rivetting characters to today's entertainment arena. There's never been a better time for such good books. I believe most people will NOT be disappointed that they took the time to read the entire series!
Rating: 
Summary: A "B" rated thriller
Review: ... [T]his book wasn't worth the money. The plot was like a "B" movie - predictable and stilted. Who didn't have it figured out by page 30? And why would anyone care. The shallow, stereotyped characters are only there to play out the author's purpose which is to sermonize the reader. What a bore!
Rating: 
Summary: Good book if you're into religion
Review: This is a good book if you're interested in examining a fictitious look at how Revelation would come to fruition. I don't think it's for everyone though. It is slow, but picks up about 3/4 of the way through. Once I was finished, I was hooked. I've got to go on to Tribulation Force now to find out what happens to the people left behind.
Rating:
Summary: Fiction with a prophetic overtone.
Review: This novel tells of the Rapture. This signals the end of the world. Briefly stated, before the end of time, Jesus will quietly claim the true church of believers and take them to Himself in Heaven. The book describes this eerie event in terms of those left behind in the world. The thoughtful persons left behind begin a spiritual quest to understand their fate. The Tribulation period begins with the coming of the personified Anti-Christ and his impact on an unsuspecting world. This book examines the grim consequences of unbelief, and the lack of true spiritual commitment. Christians may disagree about a literal Rapture, but a day of the Lord is certain. The novel stresses the solid Biblical teaching that all are sinners, and all need the Savior. Finally, all are justified by grace through faith in the atoning suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Numbering our days and applying our hearts to wisdom and understanding of God is the theme of this fictionalized end-time story. The book is smoothly written. Christian fiction can include unintentional humor. One exasperated character angrily exclaims, "Darn it!" A waffling husband considers the feasibility of an affair, but doesn't act on his impulse before Heaven intervenes. There is some violence related to plot developments. Considering the negative Christian bias of many movies and TV programs, a positive portrayal of the urgent need for repentance and forgveness is welcome. Read and ponder. ;-)
Rating:
Summary: a very realistic thriller-a must read!
Review: want to know how good a book this is? i'm not even a Christian and I love the series. these 2 authors weave together characters, places, and things from present day, and manage to convert it into biblical prophecy unfolding. no matter what your reading level, this book, and all the others is an easy read, and I have even read them in less than 12 hours, pretty much non-stop. Rayford Steele is a terrific character, a great anchor for the book. this series has political intrigue, light humor, suspense, action, and a heart at the middle of it. even if you are not a Christ-believer, I feel you will find this book to be very entertaining and informative at the same time. do not pass up this phenomina! if any other book besides the Bible could convert a non-believer, this would be it!
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