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Summary: Leave this Behind or Enter Literary Hell....
Review: I read a lot, and a lot of what I read (particularly that written within the last decade) is simply poorly-written garbage. The authors lack knowledge of basic grammar and composition. They peddle incoherent plots and cardboard characterization. Worse, they can't even turn a phrase to make the experience a pleasure for the wordsmiths among their readership. And that's pretty much all there is to say about "Left Behind." I've always rather enjoyed apocalyptic fiction, served up straight as in "The Omen" or with a wink as in "Good Omens." LaHaye and Jenkins' writing is so weak (I believe LaHaye came up with the concept and Jenkins actually wrote the thing) that I couldn't slog through a hundred pages without throwing the book in the trash for the god awful dialogue, the truck stop proselytizing, the paper-thin characterization and plot. Unfortunately, I've bought 6 paperbacks, believing that something this popular couldn't possibly be drivel. Live and learn... An example for those of you who are inclined to think I'm given to hyperbole in describing how wretched this book is: we all know the story concerns the conflict between God and the Antichrist. How do the authors introduce their Antichrist? By having a character remark about how he's heard about this charismatic guy in Romania who seems to be gathering quite a following.... I could go on, but that was the point at which the book hit the can. Stay away from this as though it were cursed, my friends. I'll get time off in Purgatory for providing you with this advice.
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Summary: An End Time book by Chistians - for Christians
Review: Christians believe that as the End Time comes, God will gather all the real Christians around his throne in Heaven, body and soul. This book centers on those 'left behind' on earth. It shows the chaos that emerges as millions of people disappear, how people try to figure out what happend, how some re-find their fate in God, and how the Anti-Christ emerges. It's a well structured, swift paced book that focusses on world events as well as on personal experiences of people. I could not put it down, even though I wanted to. The downside of the book is that (though cleverly hidden behind all the action) it still will be felt by the non-believer, that the authors are hoping to persuade people to their Christian believes. That spoils some of the uncomplicated fun of reading this. On the upside: for those who DO believe in Christ this will make the book a warm bath that will strengthen their beliefs. On the whole I liked Beauseigneur's Christ Clone Trilogy better, because it offered more food for the mind, appeared better researched in worldly matters such as the United Nations politics, and didn't seem so focussed on the conversion of people in the book and outside of it.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best books I have ever read!
Review: I received the Left Behind series for Christmas this year. When I read that it was about the end of the world, I figured that it was science fiction, which I have always enjoyed reading. Once I started reading the first book, though, I realized that it was above and beyond any science fiction I had ever read. I finished it in 2 days, reading until 2a.m. unable to put it down. I have just started the second in the series and hope that they continue to hold my attention the way that this first one did. I recommend this to everyone. It was a wonderful read!
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Summary: It really makes you wonder..."What if....."
Review: I think a lot of you miss the point of this book, it was not written to be a literary classic or a sci-fi thriller. It was written to make you wonder "What if..." What if the book of Revelations is true? What if the Rapture occurs, will I be left behind? I found this book interesting and scary at the same time...Imagine waking to find your baby's crib empty except for the pjs you put him in the night before...That is the point of the story...Get yourself ready.
Rating: 
Summary: An attractive thriller
Review: Although I'm not frequently have a fiction on my hand, "Left Behind" really kept me sticking to it for a week or so to finish it (too slow, right?). In the context of its interpretation of Bible texts, I was agree with Dave Zampiro's comments. It is still largely unknown, or actualy quite controversial, for the actual scenarios described in eschatological passages such as those in Revelation or Thessalonians. I enjoyed the overall layout of the story, and it may raise one's interest to look into the Bible. One of my friends really did this and she started to ask me more about the contents of the Bible. As a scientist, I always doubt about what I saw or read. "Left Behind" initiated my study on the related Bible contexts, and that, at least, made me spending more time on my Bible. The character I like the most is Buck, but I could not express too much about the creamy relationship between Ray and Hattie. I've already bought "Tribulation Force" and I think I would enjoy Nicolae more as the story goes on. I suddenly found that there are about 1500 comments to this books already, and the eighth (or the ninth?) book of this series is coming! Gee, I may have to spend another months to complete the series!
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Summary: Captivating story fails with poor writing
Review: The story, based on the book of Revelation, is a good one. The story was why I bought, and read, the book. But, I'm only a high school student, but I can recognize what is good writing and what is not. This is certainly the latter. Buck Williams, the magazine journalist for the equivalent of "Time," was developed terribly. He said and did so many things out of character. Also, there are no details in this book at all! I could not create one picture in my mind of how the setting looked. Also, the ending stinks. The author took the absolute easiest way out--it was cheesy.
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Summary: Riveting
Review: This book was very hard to put down. The story line is possible in the future and should awaken the average person to it's potential occurrence. It follows the text of the bible in the major events that occur.
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Summary: Left Behind
Review: I am a huge Tom Clancy fan. I found this book to read much like the Clancy books. Several small stories going on at one time. Can't wait to get to the next book.
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Summary: Overly simplistic revelation
Review: Intriguing premise (assuming the Book of Revelation is to be taken literally). Good start. Obviously supposed to have a sequel, so I didn't like the end. Written for high- or middle-school reading levels. This is not "high literature" that requires a college education or repeated reading to understand. It is an interesting look at a literal interpretation of parts of the Book of Revelations (a prophesy of the end of the world as we know it as a precursor to the second coming of the Messiah). The characters are not well-developed but do hint at being interesting (again, this is the first installment of a series, it might get better in the next volume). The plot is fairly obvious. This is light-reading. Content acceptable for adolescent or older. I can't say I completely agree with the content on a religious level. How the authors paint armageddon is pretty sterotypic to the more evagelical Protestant groups who subscribe to a literal reading of the Bible. I do applaud the obvious effort to get people to think about and consider their beliefs, and the potential long-term consequences of both belief and action.
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Summary: An Entertaining Read!
Review: The Rapture, as preached by Born-Again Christians, is when Jesus Christ will gather his true-believers up to heaven,leaving the rest of the world to their own devices. This book, is about what happened when the Rapture occurred. Rayford Steele, a pilot for Pan-Con Airways, is at the half-way point of his Chicago to London flight when his head flight attendant, Hattie Durham tells him that some of the passengers are missing, including all of the children. The mystery and confusion deepens when it is discovered that all over the world, people have disappeared leaving only their clothing and jewelry behind. Rayford, his daughter Chloe, a pastor and a newsmagazine writer all find one another and fine that they will have to lead the fight against the antiChrist in the coming Armegeddon. I devoured this book. I read it in two days and enjoyed it immensely. I am rather daunted by the fact that there are, I think, 13 sequels to this novel. I hope that they are all this good. This book really makes you think, at the same time it read like a good mystery/horror novel.
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