Rating: 
Summary: Shallow, fundamentalist garbage
Review: I realize that in this world, there are those that believe fiction(the rapture etc.) to be true. That, in itself, does not scare me. What does scare me, is their willful intent to literally scare others into believing what they do. You can discount the fact that this book is horribly written--on a sixth-grade level, it is merely mediocre--but do not discount the actual intent of the authors. Unlike Steven King--who writes fiction knowing all too well that it is only that--LaHaye and Jenkins actually believe that this could happen. Need I say more? I should hope that those who are smart enough to see through this scare-tactic will indeed steer clear of this crap, for fundamentalists need no more help distributing their ingorant literature. Those who already own the book might want to note that there are absolutely no credible reviews(On the book itself) for the book, only one-line blurbs from other fundamentalist readers. This alone should prove that it was written by and for fundamentalists ONLY. I suggest that those who want to read a good apocalyptic novel will take to Robert McGammon's Swan Song; for that, unlike this, is well-written, scary, and what I call "Intentional fiction". Misery may love company, but having read this, I would say that so too does ignorance-apathy(Take your pick).
Rating: 
Summary: Crowd Pleaser - Even For Agnostics
Review: Left Behind was first introduced to me, a out-agnostic, by a relatively religious family. But, it proved a quick, enjoyable read. Although based on Revelations, it provided a delicately delightful balance of religion and fiction, which resulted in a fascinating page-turner. There was a steady flowing stream of action and suspense without the dull moments that slow a plot. Highly recommended for the believers of the Rapture and the non-believers.
Rating:
Summary: Don't read it for its intended purpose,...
Review: But rather consider this book as an exposition, albeit unintentional, of the fundamentalist mindset, at least that of Tim La Haye (and radical theocratic organizations such as CWFA, Focus on the Family, the Christian Coalition).This book has embedded within the "apologetic" arguments of the gangster-god: Irene claims that one shouldn't joke about the "rapture" because one just "doesn't know" what will happen. The rapture, by the way, is an invention of the last 150 years- orthodox Christianity has never considered a literal "rapture" since Revelation was included in the sriptural canon. Revelation was included in the canon with the understanding of the ecumenical council that it was metaphorical- and did not presage a "tribulation," or other such hoo-hah. Tim La Haye won't tell you that, because it would hurt him too much in the wallet. I for one think the gangster god who makes us an offer you can't refuse- a.k.a. the Orwellian named so-called "good news" is bunk. So, theology aside - what this book *is* useful for is as an insight into the mind of the followers of this "gangster-god." And you get plenty of fascinating information. You get, for example, religious bigotry: Only the "real" Christians are "good" people. And you get the propagation of the myth related to euphoria inducing substances: Rayford Steele is made to feel guilty over the fact that he drinks "hard" liquor occaisonally, though not to excess, and so he hides the offending demon rum away from his young son. And, you get Evangelical equivocation: for some reason all the kids get raptured. Even the Kip Kinkels, one would imagine. John Calvin would rise out of his grave if he heard of this, and then we'd just have to rebury him. Finally, you get wacky science and geopolitics: the Israelis invent a "miracle fertilizer" (despite the fact that it's been known for a while that Israel's "miracle in the desert" is coming to an end because of over use of the land), and, for no particularly goood reason (since the Russians have part of the famed Black Earth zone)the Russians go to war with Israel to get this "fertilizer." I bet. Finally, I have to comment on the psychology behind this type of offal. Clearly the authors use God, and his "judgement" as a stand-in to execute their own resentments, vicariously, on the "media," nonChristians, and anyone else who doesn't think exactly like them. Some "good news."
Rating: 
Summary: The litery bomb in the clinic of your conscience.
Review: Revelations is a great part of the Bible. It's the deal clincher in the Christian based faith, the "do it or else" part of the entire tome. As such any story that uses it as a plot line is going to be interesting. Just how do these seven seals reveal themselves. Is it really a sea of blood or is that a metaphor for red-tape? The writers do a decent job of making revelations relevant whilst keeping the supernatural twist, and you could almost accept the outcome to the rapture in the way people behave... almost. Personally I believe it would be a much different siutation. My main problem with the book is the two dimensional nature of characters that seem to miss the point that it was the work of God. I'm also incredibly annoyed that only Jesus freaks get the call. I've known Muslims, Buddhists, Jews and more that deserve to get to heaven before many a fanatical right wing Christian that I've met. To me the only things I wanted to take from any religion were the ideals related tolerance. Anyone who relates their religion to me without tolerance for others loses my interest very quickly, as do the writers of this book. It is a great shame as it would be a steallar piece of fiction if the writers examined all of the main characters as much as they examine the born-again Christians. The scene in which the pilot speaks with an attendant regarding abortion is one of the most narrow, politicaly motivated, self serving pieces of rubbish I have ever read in my entire life. That anyone actually takes a pro-abortion stance such as that mentioned is a disgusting abuse of the pain that a lot of people go through making such a decision. It was an incredible low point in what was essentially a novel that was striving to do the right thing given the writers obvious commitments to their beliefs.
Rating:
Summary: Dismayed
Review: I accidently purchased this book. I realized it was a mistake within the first chapter. The book was hard to stomach as soon as the first religious overtones were felt. There are many ways to present a view of the end of the world: This has to be the worst one. For the religious, the book is likely a stunning example of salvation and rescue by God. For the non-religious, or deist, or those not 'born again', this book is impractical, unconvincing, and poor. The plot is offensive and contrived. To prevent this from being a religious soapbox, I present the following comments: a. Rayford, perhaps the most transparent characters of them all, made a complete 180 from being a strong, independent man with little tolerance for his wife and her fanaticisms, to a believer, although no proof had been presented. b. Buck HAD no depth. Pardon my vernacular, but he was just doing "stuff", then suddenly calls upon God to help him. c. Hattie: her conversion to the assistant of Carpathia made no impact on me, as I didn't understand her to begin with. She was just another one of 'those' people. "The Stand" by Stephen King was a much more plausible example of the end of the world. The authors need to provide more reason for people to believe, not just begin a book with "all the saved disappeared."
Rating: 
Summary: If this doesn't reach you, nothing will.
Review: Other than the Bible, the "Left Behind" series of books are the best books I have ever read. I am now on my third round of reading the entire series. The most important thing of all is I think that they will help bring people to (or back to) Christ. I know they did me. Even if readers aren't Christians, they will enjoy them for the sheer excitement of reading about Armageddon. They are alternately thrilling and terrifying. Jenkins/LaHaye paint a very vivid picture of what the world will be like after the Rapture: the terror of war, the ultimate invasion of Big Brother, having to watch your every move, believers having to go underground to buy necessary supplies rather than take the mark of the beast. If these books don't make you sit back and take stock of how you're living your life, nothing will. You cannot read them and not be affected by them.
Rating:
Summary: Blew me away
Review: I'm sure I'm over the thousanth person to write a review on this book, but I want to let those out there know that this is how it could end. It makes you think about your life, faith, and choices and when the rapture really does come I hope I'm on Christ's side...I'm looking forward to The Mark. This is a well written series and kudos to Lahaye and Jenkins for bringing so many more souls to Christ!
Rating:
Summary: A Must Have for Anyone-Religious or Not
Review: Being a religious person all of my life, this book was exactly what I needed in a book. I had been going to church for 10 of my 14 years of life, and I finally lost interest. The teachings suddenly became boring. This book puts just enough fiction into a coming reality. It isn't the same old, boring teachings that a person my age would get in an average Sunday School. The book also explains everything in such a way that the most intelligent person will comprehend it on their level, while a younger audience can understand it in a way that they need it explained. I just started the series, and am on book #2. These books are so good, that I find myself taking more time to read them, so that I can get to the next book! All in all, this book is a superb read for any person, regardless of age, or religious background.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: This book is awsome. I would recomend this book to anyone. I have read many Biblical prophecy books and have found theme very interesting but sometimes dry and bogged down with tiny details. Seeing them in a novel form is really exciting. It brings an aspect of Christinanity to people that would normally never try to reaserch Biblical Prophecy. Most people I know would just give up because it is too complicated and they say they don't understand. This book makes it really easy and is a really good read. By the time I read the first page I was hooked. I couldn't put the book down. This is not normal for me, but I couldn't stop. It is one of the most interesting novels I have ever read.
Rating:
Summary: Re-born
Review: For those of you who either don't believe or are on the edge, this book will help with your decision. You will find it difficult to put the book down. You may even find that at times you might want to pick up a bible or have a quite time for prayer. I know that this book has peeked my interest and I will be purchasing the next series, Tribulation.
|
