Rating: 
Summary: Great FICTION for Christians
Review: I have read the first 2 books and am starting the 3rd. I REALLY enjoyed the books! One thing to say, no, they are not written at the "rocket scientist" level that some people are complaining about. They are, however, great FICTION books to read at the end of a long day's work. They are an attempt to tell people what MAY happen during end times if they are not saved. People complain that they are not "soft enough" or "scare" people. However, if you read Revelations, the things outlined in the Bible are scary (about what will happen to those "Left Behind". There is no sugar coating the truth.) It talks about how God will give people who did not seek Him one more chance (but it will not be easy for those people).As for the person who said books like these should not bring people to Christ, etc. Who are we to decide that? Different strokes for different folks. No, this should not be the book used to replace the Bible nor any other factual doctrines; however if it helps someone decide to find out what Christianity is about, that cannot be all bad. Besides that, I know people who have read (and enjoyed the books) who were not Christians. Lastly, I don't know what book some people read (when you read some of the various synopses). The first book had nothing to do with a man who was a playboy with a little girl who was left behind, etc. It was about a man who is on the verge of committing adultery when the rapture happens. And, yeah, his daughter was "left behind" with him but she was not a child. She was 20 years old (old enough to make decisions about her own life). One of the authors, Tim, was on a radio station. He said that he came up with the idea because he was on a plane when the pilot came out and was flirting with a stewardess. He saw a ring on the man's finger and wondered how the man would feel if the rapture happened and his wife left him behind. It is all a matter of what you are looking for.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Series
Review: Here is a series to get the message to your non-believing friends. It is exciting enough for believers and non-believers, but continues to re-enforce the gospel message of a loving God that wants us all to be saved. A must read!
Rating: 
Summary: left behind , the kids
Review: "Left Behind the kids" is another great book by Jerry b. Jenkins and Tim Lahayne. These two awesome authors have a long line of books called "left behind" I think this book is exceptional. Its from a Christians point of view and is about four kids and the apocalypse. One reason I liked this book is because it was written with very good detail. One example would be "tall, slender, had fiery hair and had recently learned how to dress in a way that drew attention from guys and girls"-page 17. That quote is describing Vicki who is one of the characters in the book. I really like how they used fiery, that painted a very vivid picture.
The theme of the book is about the apocalypse and the second coming of Christ. Me being a Christian and active in the church I agree with it very much. I must say the book is a rather preachy but its just an opinion, and opinions aren't right or wrong. It relates to my life in the way that it wants me to be a better Christian and believer in god. I also just would like to be a better person, inside and outside of church.
All and all this is a very great book . With all honesty I recommend it to everybody regardless of religion. You don't have to be Christian to enjoy the book. I also think its fun to learn more about other religions. Either way it's a good book that I'm sure you would like. You can also check out the bigger adult series. By : Matthew Monson
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: I absolutely love this series. I wait on the edge of my seat for each new edition. Great past paced stories, interesting characters, and great Christian theme.
Rating:
Summary: Don't be left behind - just get the books and begin.
Review: I have read many Christian novels involving the Tribulation and this series of books has come as close to nailing how these last events will take place. Once I started with the first book, it stayed open until I finished it 2 days later. I am now on Book 8 - The Mark - and I await my order eagerly. If you are a serious Book of Revelation follower do not even read another review. Just get the books and begin!
Rating:
Summary: Compelling reading!
Review: I truly enjoyed this series of books so much I can't wait for the next one to come in June 2003. Its an amazing book about "what could happen" it takes you through the emotions and anxiety of each new judgement as it unveils itself to the world. Anyone on the borderline of deciding their faith should read this series.
Rating: 
Summary: Makes me kinda wanna be left behind...
Review: No offense meant to the devotees of this series, but if those who love the kind of (in my opinion as a reviewer) narrow-minded, egotistical, twisted version of Christianity and eternity that LaHaye pushes are those with whom I'd be spending eternity, the thought of being left behind doesn't seem quite so bad...
I checked the series out after one of my students claimed that it was a revolutionary book that was claiming the world for Christ. I respect her opinion, but if that's the case, I'm rather concerned. I'm a Christian, by the way. I've studied religions of the world for years, from many perspectives. This book series worries me on several levels.
First, readers should understand (and I think many don't know - it's not widely promoted) who the author is and what his agenda entails. Tim LaHaye was one of the founders of the Moral Majority. His wife heads the ultra-conservative group Concerned Women for America. LaHaye is one of the earliest and strongest leaders in the radical, right-wing conservative movement. An article by Tom Sine in Sojourner states: "He (LaHaye) wrote the blueprint for how conservative Christians could "take back America" around a conservative political agenda in his most important work, The Battle for the Mind. This book was a huge bestseller, but interestingly is not listed in any of the Left Behind books."
If you share LaHaye's philosophy, fine, but I think a lot of people read this series without knowing this. In my opinion, LaHaye is using the extreme scare tactics and easy answers in Left Behind to further promote and further his political agenda. Fear and easy answers make for great and frighteningly effective propaganda - especially in troubled times.
Second, many scholars believe Left Behind is less than accurate in biblical terms, yet many readers are seeing it as the Bible itself. This really concerns me. It concerns me that many of the people who write glowing reviews of this series start out by saying things like "I usually don't read books," "Reading usually is boring," "I don't study religion except for these books," etc. This scares me. This book was written at a simple level for a reason. Don't let this be the only series you read. Don't let this purposely simplistic (in my opinion) fiction be your version of the Bible. It's not as easy or "fun," but try studying the Bible itself - in proper context (i.e., read the entire book or at least the New Testament, not just the apocalyptical text alone out of context). I read several reviews in which people said they became Christians after reading Left Behind. I would say, don't embrace Christianity just based on these works of simple fiction. Study the real faith. Go to the church of your choice. Read the actual Bible. Christianity is much richer, more beautiful, complex, accepting and harder to practice than these books may have you believe. (Note: a fan of this series questioned what right I had to say what brings someone to Christianity. My response is that I'm just giving my opinion as a reviewer and have as much right as any reviewer on this site to give my opinion about the books and their impact. I have no problem with this series creating an interest in Christianity. My thought is that if you don't go much beyond reading these books in shaping your practice of Christianity, you are shortchanging yourself in the study of this beautiful, rich religion. You're practicing LaHaye's political dogma, not Biblically-based spirituality, in my opinion. Study further - that's all I'm suggesting.)
If you agree with LaHaye's political philosophy, fine. No problem. But readers should understand what it is, that many people question its biblical accuracy, and that this series may be LaHaye's tool for furthering his ultra right-wing agenda. By the way, it also concerns me that some people have chastised the Christians that don't wholeheartedly support this series. I can be Christian without being a devotee of this fiction.
Rating: 
Summary: A Christian version of Hogan¿s Heroes
Review: This review covers books 1-10 in the Left Behind series . . . Since this is a fiction series I am leaving the argument over Scriptural consistency, interpretation, and/or literalism out of this, and focusing on actual content instead. The Global Community is generally characterized as a worldwide aggregate of bumbling fools (a la the Germans in Hogan's Heroes) who are always outwitted by the Tribulation Force (Hogan and the gang). I can't even count how many times a Trib Force member talked his/her way past a checkpoint, acquired this or that vehicle, landed or took off from a GC-controlled airstrip, escaped traps, or rescued a prisoner. Maybe the authors attribute this to the providential hand of God, but after a few times there was no suspense left as each new difficult situation came up and was overcome. Well, with the theme of "We win," it would be difficult for anyone to write much suspense into the plot. The truly interesting reading came with each new trumpet or plague sent upon the earth. But in-between each new catastrophe, time dragged. Few of the male characters, in my opinion, were interesting, with notable exceptions being David Hassid, Chaim, Chang, and Zeke. Rayford just never seems to get a personality after the first book. Tsion is predictable, pious, and boring. The figure of the antichrist is mostly that of a scheming CEO with occasional outbursts of a murdering villain. Most of the female characters seemed photocopied from the same template, and after a few books it was hard to distinguish the personalities of Chloe, Hannah, and Leah. Their characters seemed pushed to the back to the story line due to lack of interest. Too bad David's fiancée couldn't have been developed more. The continued use of the word "said" to describe individuals talking to one another was maddening, especially noting the impressive number of books that each co-author has published. He said, she said, they said, said, said, said, said! One 'said' for each of the 144,000 probably. We learned in English or Writing class that any substitution is usually more descriptive. How about a few more replied, remarked, grumbled, laughed, mumbled, cried, agreed, etc., etc., etc.? This alone would have added one notch to the rating. On a positive note, I thought the authors absolutely shined with Tsion's messages; the character showed genuine warmth and concern for this billion-member internet flock. It was also extremely gratifying to see the characters constantly pray for God's will and guidance in both good and bad times. Regardless of whether you believe the series is Biblically accurate or not, the Left Behind series is a mediocre read. I am a Christian and really wanted this series to be spectacular, but I must rate it honestly. If you want some light reading to temporarily escape into the opinions of two individuals on how the End Times might play out, then by all means consider these books. But if you are looking for brilliant writing, I suggest looking elsewhere. And if you are interested in more End-Times literature, the Bible itself wouldn't be a bad place to start.
Rating:
Summary: Worthy of some attention
Review: OK, so while I would have to agree with the readers who attack these books for their lack of theological accuracy and lame writing, I also have to defend them. I started reading Left Behind as a non-believer, and as I continued thru the series I became a Christian. If a work of fiction can do that for even one person (I am sure there are others as well) then it has served a very good purpose. It has opened doors for me that I never knew existed. I had never read the Bible before, nor had any desire to.
I am quite aware that these books are fiction, but even if not totally accurate in terms of Revelation, they certainly make the reader think about God. And that is worthy cause!
As for the immature writing, etc. I would have to say that the writer's aim was very good indeed if you consider the number of people who never pick up a book, but have read these books
Rating:
Summary: miracle
Review: I think Left Behind, by Tim Le Haye and Jerry B. Jeckins, is an interesting novel.
It got me thinking of what will happen if one day what the book said happened. After millions of people, suddenly disappear out of thin air all at once, leaving only their clothes and belonging behind. This novel is like a prediction of what will happen to the ones that are left behind. It tells about how the main characters, Rayford Steeles, Chloe Steele, Buck William, and Bruce Barnes reacts to the whole disappearance event. For they, except Buck, are all victims of the losing their love ones and were left behind to suffer on earth. The novel tells how these characters faced the whole tragedy that happen to the world's populations.
Personally, I do not like to read at all. I think reading is so boring, especially when I encounter some books that are so long and complicated. I loses interest in it right away. Yet the language written in this book is modernized and used plain English, which makes it more enjoyable to read. I would recommend this book to whomever that is curious in knowing what might happen during the end of the world to read this book.
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