Rating:  Summary: Collge student that hates reading Review: I am a senior at the University of NC at Wilmington. I have no shame in admiting that I hat ebooks, I hate reading. But, I heard so much about this series that I thought if there ever was a book that I could read, this would be it! I have only had the book 3 days and my girlfriend already says she is jealous of the time I have given to it. Through 2 days I am on the 8th chapter. I cannot wait to get home from work today so I can read some more! If you are intellectual and open-minded, I would highly suggest that you at least try the first in this series of truly cutting edge thoelogical enterpretation. Whether it be accurate or not, it surely is enough to make you want to find out for yourself. Enjoy!
Rating:  Summary: Best book I have ever found to reach non-believers Review: It is amazing to me to read a few low ratings of this book by Christians. Theologies aside, this book and series has been the primary reason (behind the Holy Spirit) in reaching my non-believing family and in-laws with the Gospel message.I recommend giving this book to everyone you are trying to reach. Most non-believers will read a "#1 fictional best seller" that is being made into a movie! After 7 years of no success in reaching my loved ones (with non-fiction books and discussion), God has used this book to get them to understand that 100% faith/trust in Christ is only way for salvation. Thank you Lord for providing Christians with such a fantastic tool for reaching the lost with your good news! For those that may not agree with all the theology, I can only say that God is indead using this book in a special way. Try giving it to a few non-believers! Rick
Rating:  Summary: Be careful, don't forget this is an average work of fiction. Review: Left Behind and the accompanying multi book series would make a great action television series, but if you're planning on gaining insite to the Book of Revelation, leave it alone. My comments are stated because many people I know are taking this literally. Remember this is fiction. As I read, I wondered if Jenkins and Lahaye will soon attempt to write their slant on the experiences of the people that were snatched up first and taken to Heaven. They would seem to be as knowledgable of those events as they are of the Rapture. How you take this book depends upon what your religious (Christian) faith teaches you. I (I'm Methodist) personally do see the end of the world this way and I only say that because too many people are taking this as gospel. I would have rather given it 2 and 1/2 stars but didn't have that choice.
Rating:  Summary: Left Behind Review: I was not sure I wanted to read another book about the Rapture of the Church. I found some of the twists within the story goofy, but the basis of the story caused me to think about my spirituality and how deep it runs. It was also a piece of fiction that I did not forget shortly after reading it. It caused me to think and ask questions. Being a Christian who does believe that the Rapture will occur, that some people will be "left behind," and that the scriptures of Revelations will occur, I found the story engrossing. Its easy reading and plot line should appeal to many.
Rating:  Summary: I couldn't put it down Review: This book is an inspiration for Christians to start spreading the Word. So our loved ones won't be left behind. I don't advocate "shoving Jesus down anyones throat" but i think it is important to live Godly lives and be a witness through our actions and words to those who don't know Jesus. I really enjoyed this book and the whole series (so far).
Rating:  Summary: A powerful series for some -- not for others Review: The books are the authors attempt to explain what happens on earth after the Rapture (the taking away from earth of all believers in Jesus) comes to pass. It's a fictionalized account of what many believe will happen. It's told through the eyes of a small group of people who are not Raptured -- they are "Left Behind". I think it's fascinating that someone has chosen to tackle the story and write about it. The whole concept is a dichotomy in our culture. Tens of millions of people believe it in the United States alone, even more study it, and yet it is virtually ignored in all mainstream media. As much as possible the book is still ignored in the media except for the occasional poor review to keep readers away. Interesting considering it has sold as many copies as Harry Potter. I don't think it's difficult to determine which series has received more attention between the two. This series won't be for everyone. The writing lacks the deep intellectual probing that some books thrive upon. In fact it's only slightly more complex than the aforementioned Harry Potter. The authors try not to offend and it does make the story alittle simple. I'd expect much worse horrors to overtake the earth after the calamity of hundreds of millions of people suddenly disappearing -- major looting and anarchy. In the book society pretty much works together and soon everything is running relatively smoothly once again. You also will not find any profanity or sexual description in these books. They are made for the enjoyment of everyone although for some readers this will cut down on the special "flair" that they expect from books. While the later works have more of an ethnic mixing, the first book does not. It's basically four people in white suburbia trying to cope. The authors could have thrown in a person of a different race, but under the circumstances I'm glad they didn't as I feel it would have come across as the token minority so prevalent in TV shows from the 70's. There is such a thing as trying too hard. The authors are obviously fascinated with the Jewish people and their role in the post rapture world. Their positive admiration for this group comes across. For instance the person who discovers the single greatest invention in the history or humanity is Jewish. Based on the percentage of Jews in our world population the probability of this occuring randomly is only about 1 out of 350. But it should also be noted that the very nature of the subject of the book would make Israel and the Jewish people the main focus group above all others. Many of the women in the story show great strength of character, but I have to say that overall the men seem to show just a bit more. Although I also noticed that among the main characters, the men seem to be the ones who make the most mistakes and I've picked up an underlying current that they wouldn't make as many mistakes if they listened more to the women. It is understandable though that some readers will not like that no woman could really be called a leader. Overall the series will be enjoyable to some and not so enjoyable to others, but I found it to be daring to tackle such a taboo subject matter and I feel it is worthy of reading. I hope this review will help others to make the choice for themselves.
Rating:  Summary: Captivating Thoughts for Our Times Review: This title is definitely worth the time to read. Many religions support the idea of a "Judgment Day" or the end of time, but this book provides a glimpse of what it could really be like. The first chapters develop the plot very quickly, and provide all the motivation that you will need to keep moving through it. It isn't just religion either. Woven in between are the relationships between people, the heartache of widespread loss, and almost universal "denial" of an event that few could explain. Look, this book is written by Christians and it certainly supports those beliefs and ideals. But there is plenty in the book to intrigue and captivate the interest of even those who are not. Right after I read this one, I went out and got #2 in the series and finished it, and am now working toward #3. I rarely read fiction at all, and I can tell you that this captivated my interest. When you look at all the events happening around us, you have to say: Hey, it could happen..... If you find yourself at a point in life where you are a "seeker", then you reallllllly need to read this book. Definitely worth the time and the money.
Rating:  Summary: Just another money-making series Review: I purchased this book because it was scheduled for a book discussion group with which I am involved. I am not happy that a book with an agenda like this was recommended to the group. Besides that, it is so simplistic, so banal, and so obvious. I am familiar with the book of Revelation and aware that there are many, many interpretations of the so-called end times. For an author to take one interpretation and build a series of books on it is just too much to accept. It certainly is not what I would call literature; the plot was so easily figured out in advance and the characters were so obviously designed to fit in with the story-line. I'm sorry to see stuff like this on the best seller lists.
Rating:  Summary: Well-thought, well-written and now, well-read! Review: I stumbled onto this book by accident while browsing at an airport. What a fantastic find! I am impressed with the ease that this books reads at and with the superb character job done by the writers. Tackling something as complex as the Rapture is a difficult challenge and I feel the writers have done so eloquently. They have done so in a way which is entirely believable. I have never been much of a reader of Christian material and I look forward enthusiastically to reading the other novels in this series.
Rating:  Summary: Great Reading, Hard Listening Review: This is a review of the Left Behind "Dramatic CD" version. I have a long commute and like to listen to audio books occasionally. I read several reviews before purchasing the CD. The book is probably wonderful, but the dramatic CD leaves a lot to desire. It would have been better to purchase the audio cassettes. The CD version as compared to the audio cassettes is like a movie compared to a book. All avid readers know that the book is always better. Well, it is has to be true in this case. I felt like I was missing out on the feelings and thoughts of the characters, I had to infer their thoughts from the tones in their voices, and that was somewaht difficult to do when two people are talking at once, or a person begins to whisper and you have to turn the dial up so you can hear. As for the story line, I really enjoyed it, and it made me think in-depth. I can see, though, why the one reviewer said it had no climax, etc. It does not have a climax. There is a reason why people are buying each book in the series. It is because the books can't stand alone, each book is more like a chapter in the entire series and until you have read them all, you have not read the entire story. I enjoyed the story behind "Left Behind - the Dramatic CD Version" and will purchase the following Book (not CD). I encourage you to buy the book or audio cassette version. But you've been warned, this in not a short book to read - it appears you're going to have to read them all before you get a full story with a climax and all. I base my 4-star rating on the story and not the CD, the CD would get 2 stars. I hope this has been helpful.
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