Rating: 
Summary: This one shows the potential of the series...
Review: ...but I'm still waiting. I'm currently reading the fifth book in the series, while the sixth installment awaits, and I have to say as a writer that I'm quite unimpressed. The characters have as yet to be developed very well, the plot is sometimes difficult to follow, and the general writing skills shown by the authors don't make me want to read any of their other works. So why do I continue to check the books out at the library? So that A) the authors don't get any of my money, and B) I can see what happens next. I'm actually interested in the storyline! I guess that's saying something...After reading the second and third books, it was clear to me that the authors actually put forth effort into this first title. After that, the quality steadily declined, until now it seems that they just hold an envelope to their backsides before sending it off to the pubisher. Pure drivel. But considering that a new book is due every six months, I guess I shouldn't be expecting worthwhile writing. There isn't enough time between installments to write AND revise the work. I've found the interpretation of the apocolyptic prophecies to be plausible, and allowing for future technological developments. However, the writing is what gets me. The male characters are either egotistical or lack any semblance of common sense; the women are frail and helpless, or...well, cranky; several of the events are either described in less than suspensful detail or briefly mentioned, making me flip back a couple pages to see what I'd missed; current politics are preached FAR too often (should the woman carrying the child of the antichrist have an abortion? Who cares if the characters are pro-life or pro-choice -- this is the child of the *antichrist*! Make that an *issue*, not a comment made in passing!); the characterization is extremely dry, especially when they attempt humor; ethics and morals are discussed at the most inappropriate times, especially when the survival insticts should be kicking in; and information is repeated far too often, as though we the Readers have no short term memory -- it comes off more as filler than necessary recapping. I spent nearly 30 years as a Christian, and did a lot of studying during that time, including research into the *history* of the religion (what the authors apparently don't want anyone to know). I've found many aspects of the story to be offensive, not because they're insulting, but because they're written from a biased or bigoted viewpoint. It makes me wonder if the authors have done any research OTHER than biblical... It saddens me to see that people are actually *believing* that this is what will happen. If this series wasn't meant to be speculative fiction, it wouldn't be in the "Fiction" aisles. Unfortunately, I'm seeing the reason why there are so many misconceptions in these books -- too many people are believing what they're hearing without thinking for themselves. The more of these I read (while trying to just enjoy the storyline), the more I begin to see the authors in the same light as they present Nicholae Carpethia. I don't think I can continue reading...the authors have stopped making sense, and instead sold out. I believe they've sold out because I don't see any other explanation for a book every six months, and another series devoted to young adults at the same time. The writing talent has been spread far too thin...
Rating: 
Summary: Left Behind.......Lives Up To The Hype!
Review: Just about everyone I know has read or is reading this series of books. I kept saying I didn't think I would enjoy it, because I am not a church goer, and I am embarrassed to say, I don't know ANYTHING about the Bible. I finally gave in and borrowed a friend's copy of Left Behind. Halfway through I was begging her to bring me the other books in the series! Left Behind is easy to understand and very self explanatory about Rapture. I feel I am learning a part of the Bible in a fun and interesting way. I feel that this book has changed me in a way. I'm already relaying the book to my husband and telling him we really need to consider starting church. Left Behind is great and I'm so excited to start the next books!
Rating:
Summary: Interesting plotline ruined by excessive preaching
Review: I am not a Christian. I haven't been a Christian since I was 15, nor do I want to return to that mindset. So why am I reading this book? Vicarious thrills, the Jack T. Chick "you're all going to Hell" fun, reconfirmation as to why I'm not a Christian, and most of all the story is a modern adaption of the Book of Revelations which was always a whacky little book when I was younger. I don't know if it's worth it. For every decent scene (cars blowing up, people disappearing, the anti-CHrist charming everyone, fire from Heaven, etc.) there are about a half dozen scenes of people sitting around preaching the fundamentalist Gospel, having internal monologues with themselves as to why they never decided to become truly Christian until after everyone disappeared, and waiting for someone else to come along so that they can preach. If I was a fundamentalist Christian I imagine this all might thrill me like a pep fest thrills football players, but since I am not a Christian (nor much for pep fests, but that's another story) I just try to figure out how much I can skim without missing any important plot elements. The story is not bad but the filler is deadly dull and if the reviews of the next few books are any indication, it never gets any better. Other things in the book that irritate me - The SuperMagical formula to make Israel bloom - one character explains that you cna irrigate Israel but then you are just making the sand wet. Desert land is the MOST FERTILE land in the world. Because nothing grows in desert land all the nutrients are in the ground. religious Jews, NO Orthodox Jews - Get it? Jews who aren't falling all over themselves to become Christian can't be considered religious. I know it's just CHristian chauvanism that declares that it is the only religion and everyone else is a secret Satan worshipper, but it irks me. Ray Steele - whine whine whine! We got it, you didn't accept Jesus as your personal lord and savior. Boohoo. That's good for a page, maybe two, but not half of the 400 page book. Hattie Durham and other characters relations to her - I know that she's the only one who isn't "saved" as of book 7, but maybe that's because no one talks to this woman unless they want to save her soul or have sex with her. Besides that she's just the wimpering crying girl. The "debates" - someone puts up an argument. Someone else gives Christian doctrine. They go on, but it's pointless because you know that the arguing party is just going to agree and go along with it. This is of course the part of the book that the authors want us to read because they think that they are engaging in apologetics of the highest order. They are engaging in dullness of the lowest order. I recommend borrowing this book or buying it cheap and the skimming it. OTher Christian literature uses Christian ideaology to create something interesting and thought-provoking - Dante, C.S. Lewis, Milton, etc.. However, most Christian literature is an excuse for the author to make that "join my club" appeal over and over and over again. This book is an example of the latter. (Note = I still plan on reading the next two books because the plot is intriguing enough, but I doubt that they will get any better.)
Rating: 
Summary: Pleasantly Surprised
Review: I was given a copy of this book to read by my sister and I was skeptical whether I would be interested in this type of material. Once I got into the story I had a hard time putting it down. Although the book is fiction I felt that part of the information contain inside explained some things to me that I had not understood before.
Rating: 
Summary: Christians beware
Review: As a Christian I decided that a Christian theme book would be an interesting read. However, I've been greatly disappointed in the entire series. I've gotten to Nicolae, and can't get through it. Most disturbing I've found subtly woven attacks on Catholics and a direct attack on the nature of the main Jewish character introduced early in the book. When the Jewish man tries to convince the reporter to pay for his time, his cabfare, etc....come on.....why doesn't the book just be racist and call him a "cheap Jew?" I'm not Jewish and I found this highly disturbing. Beware true Christians. Christian's don't weave hatred for others into their lives or their writings. Besides, do you think God would be happy having two authors write a book based on Revelations, where the Anti-Christ is patterned after Dracula, and is dating a flight attendant? Give me a break. Everyone, back to your faith!
Rating:
Summary: An interesting beginning...
Review: People vanish from a 747 aloft, babies disappear from their mothers' wombs, drivers from their cars, causing widespread panic on earth. As I read more, this book became a thinly couched venue for arrogant fundemantalist Christian rhetoric. God will not save you unless you believe in Christ and his teachings. Primitive writing and a repetitive plot, I can't imagine reading all 12 tomes. Rapture indeed. I'll end up here on earth; a Roman Catholic with all the rest of the Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, etc. The world might be a better place.
Rating:
Summary: Back to theWord
Review: I was given this book by a friend and once I began reading I could not stop until I had read all of the books. The books were so compelling I found myself dusting off my bible and reading it with a newfound hunger. I would recommend the series to any believer and definitely to any non-believer.
Rating:
Summary: CALLING ALL WHO WANT TO BE RAPTURED WITH CHRIST!
Review: When I purchased this book, my intention was to give it to a friend who I knew truly desired a personal relationship with Christ, but she didn't really know where to start. I really wanted to introduce her to the reality of Christ in a way that would not turn her off. After purchasing that first book for her, I purchased one for myself, and have plans to purchase several more for my friends and family! I am a Christian who, like some of the characters in the book who were actually left behind, grew up in a Christian church and in a Christian family. However, I do proudly confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. This book has creatively given me new excitement about witnessing and evangelizing to others so that as many as possible will be raptured with Christ's church, and not be left behind. Some may want to compare this book to others that have been written about the Apocalypse. But you must know that this series is different. It is written by people who have dedicated a great part of their lives developing a relationship with Christ and sharing the love and wisdom they have gained. So if you're looking for just another meaningless thriller, keep looking. But, if you're looking for a great read with a higher purpose, I believe you've found it, my friend.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating page turner you can't put down!
Review: I finished this book in two sittings! 468 pages of exciting and entertaining reading. Characters are well developed. I enjoyed reading every word, and was not tempted to "gloss over" unnecessary paragraphs. I am anxious to read all 7 books! For my kids, I also bought the first of the "Left Behind" series entitled "The Vanishings". My son is also captivated! WORTH EVERY PENNY!
Rating: 
Summary: Oh my...
Review: First, let me state right off that I am not Christian. I picked up this book partly because I've heard so much about it and partly because I'm curious about all lines of religious thought. (I have translated copies of the Bible/Qu'ran and many, many other religious/theosophical works on my bookshelves). That said, this book struck me as an overdone modernization of a Christian myth. And yes, I fully expect to get flamed for saying that. The writers continually remind the readers of things (characters/incidents/revelations) that happened fifty pages previously as if we had forgotten. Half the time I thought the writers were writng for high schoolers (or younger) because of this, and the tone they use overall. This is an annoying practice they continue into the other books in the series, alas, with increasing frequency. They don't give us readers enough credit for remembering anything (or, as I suspect, they are using the book as a pulpit to bang their spiritual views into our heads as hard as they can--the conversion/personal epiphany passages are hammered on with the greatest frequency). I think they have an interesting idea, but a better editor would have been welcome. And it would have been very nice if they had left the lectern and pulpit at home.
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