Rating: 
Summary: The redeeming quality of abridgement
Review: You won't hear me say this often, but thank God for this audio abridged version of the "Left Behind" books.If you're looking for insights on deep theological issues put into a fictional story, trust me, you're barking up the wrong tree here. I don't necessarily agree with the eschatological view put forth in these books, but that doesn't bother me. This is their interpretation of end times and that's fine. But these books have many faults. They are too predictable. They use too many soap opera techniques. But, worst of all, they are incredibly too long. That's including the individual books themselves, and the fact that the series will have, what, 10 or 12 books total? I wouldn't mind the length if it had a point. Say, if they were closely following the prophesied Biblical events, or presenting entirely new ideas that haven't been done several times before. But they aren't. I wouldn't mind if the action lead to deep emotional and spiritual conflicts within the characters, which in turn lead to meaningful revelations or personal growth. But they don't. Not really. Just take that whole misunderstanding between Chloe and Buck. If I'm reading this story correctly, Chloe becomes a Christian, knows the world is going to end in seven years, and is content to be obsessed with and mean about Buck possibly having a fiancee? You read through all of that, aren't rewarded with any kind of spiritual insight through the episode, and it ends in a predictable manner. Why even waste my time? I can't say that I haven't enjoyed certain parts, though. As a Christian, I admire anyone who attempts to write a novel based in Scripture. And there are parts I can relate to so acutely that those few instances alone encourage me to read on. I have read the first three installments in the series, and while I have several complaints, the books are just entertaining enough, and have just the right amount of redeeming qualities to make me want to see what happens next. Facing this quandry, I found the perfect "out". The abridged audio version of the series, read by the incomparable Frank Muller. Each book is on two tapes, about 4 hours total. The abridgement is perfect ... the authors should've abridged the actual books to contain just what's on these tapes. And it's much more fulfilling than the dramatized version. It's the best of both worlds! Best of all, it will free your time to read books that will fulfill rather than just entertain.
Rating: 
Summary: tribualtion force
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read in my life. The authors give good dicriptions for what life is like after everyone that is "left behind" and a group of people try ot make everything come to persctive. The author use good discription of everyday life after the Rapture. They give all the people in the book lots of life and spirit. Its like they were real.
If you are lookikg for a great religous book, pick up and read tribulation force.
Rating:
Summary: A good series, but not great
Review: I've just finished book nine from the series, Desecration and find myself agreeing with many other reviewers. This is a good series, but not great. The characters never really come alive and the plot definitly seems to begin slowing down in order to strech it out to cover more books. Still, these novels are simple, easy reads and go into some pretty good depth when it comes to the particulars of Revelations. I could see this series as being very good for teen-agers, although as an adult, they aren't as challenging as they could be. If you're looking for greatness, I agree with many others that We All Fall Down by Caldwell and The Christ Clone Trilogy by BeauSeigneur are still the best of the genre- intellegent, well written, and very powerful.
Rating:
Summary: This is an awesome book!
Review: I think this book was really good. I enjoyed each of the characters in the book and think this book is very realistic. I liked the book because it goes with what the Bible says. I recommend this to everybody. It will give you a great idea of what's to come!!!
Rating:
Summary: Left in the Middle.......the Soap Opera Continues....
Review: When I finished reading this book in the series, I sat back and asked myself, "Why I am reading this dribble? Why didn't I just stop after the first book?" Then the answer came very quickly and clearly: Your Congregation is reading it...therefore, you WILL and MUST read it. <>Again, the story continues about Chloe, Rayford, Buck and Bruce as they all are tempted with wonderful job opportunities and the like. You begin to ask, "Will Chloe and Buck finally get together? Will Rayford take the job? What is in store for Bruce? Can Nicolae be that persuasive?" Then you forget that you are reading a book about the "End Days" and really involved in a Soap Opera in print. Maybe that is the lure to the series and why it has become a bestseller!? The theology remains watered-down and in agreement with a small number of Protestant Denominations. As I said in my review of the first book in the series, if you are looking for books with more meat and content concerning theology/last days/the rapture...there are a wide variety of texts that will meet your need(s). If you are looking for Soap Opera in print....give it a shot.
Rating: 
Summary: Anti-Catholic themes?
Review: I have currently read up through Soul Harvest in the series, and may read the others if I can get them at a library. I have better books to buy with my own money. This book is easily the weakest of the ones I've read so far, the worst part being the 18 month skip, and the second worse part seeing buck and Chloe agonize through making advances on each other while we are left wondering about the state of the world. however, I'd like to address the claims that the book is anti-catholic. I am a catholic, and although I'm only fifteen I have an interest and a good knowledge of Catholic theology. Sure, there are things in these books that definitely strike me as anti catholic. It doesn't say that "most catholics were left behind", but it gives that impression. However, I was willing to overlook that as a typical uninformed protestant bias (not meaning any disrespect to protestants, but so many uninformed protestants come up with insanely bizzare ideas about Catholic beliefs) and ignore it. However, I read some of Lahaye's book Revelation Unveiled, which was basically an entire book of Catholic bashing, including calling the pope the antichrist. It would have been okay if they had at least used good catholic theology to back up their statements, but what is written there and in this book confirms my suspicions that the authors know very little about Catholic theology. This transfers into the Pontifus Maximus (or whatever his name is) in LB. Whatever the authors may say, their blatent anti catholic biases come through and no one who reads "revelation unveiled" will deny it. Mr. Lahaye and Jenkins--PLEASE I urge you to do some research about the Catholic faith before writing any more books in which you intend to bring up Catholic characters. This includes Left behind. Go read some decent Catholic material that is respected (you could start with the Catechism). For all the readers who subscribe to Lahaye and Jenkins' views on Catholic theology, please don't call us a satanic cult based on the views of two people who know nothing about us.
Rating:
Summary: Very entertaining...
Review: I'm having a great time reading these books. I don't necessarily believe in the theology behind the story, but none the less it keeps me turning the pages. I like the characters but I find that they say the same things over and over again. It seems to be written so that someone who didn't read the first book would understand what was going on, which I found annoying. None the less, it is entertaining. I will most likely read #3 with the same excitment as the first 2.
Rating:
Summary: Maybe It's Just Me, But . . .
Review: I really tried to click with this series, but it never happened. I know the titles all sell well, but I'm still wondering why. While the plot of this one is interesting, it is obvious to me that the author, or authors, have no conception of how to create believable human characters or write dialogue that sounds anything like human beings actually talk. I guess the appeal of this series is "What happens in the end?" plus the set-up so people will rush out to buy the next installment. I know lots of wonderful people who are evangelical Christians, and they read these books with delight, but personally I think the books are kind of an embarrassment to religion. I hope there are some Christian authors who can do better than this.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: This book, perhaps not as good as the others, is a necessary part of the series. If you were to go from Left Behind 1 to Nicolae (Left Behind 3 ) you would be very confused. This book as a lot of character development (like Chloe marrying Buck) that is nessesary to read and understand the rest if the series, and sets the stage for the rest of the books. This book made me want to read the rest of the books.
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Novel to Read
Review: This book is the second boook in the series Left Behind. I believe that this is the best book in the series and it is one of my favorites.
This book is mostly about the Tribulation Force (hince the name of the book). I believe that this book would be the "love" book of the series because in this book, Chloe and Buck get married, they have their first kiss, they have one of their first fights and they talk a whole lot!!! Also, Chloe's dad, Raymond, gets remarried to a woman named Amanda. The only sad point in here is when the start of the seven year pierod begans by a bombing and Bruce gets killed, though that is at the end out the book, it is still sad.
I know that I mighit have told you guys a little too much but there is still the fun in finding out how the couples get married and if Raymond and Buck except jobs of working under Nicole.
I really enjoyed this book and I think you will too. It really holds your attention and keeps you waiting to find out what happens. If you have not read this book, you need to do so. Even if you have not read the first book, Left Behind, (I did not read the first book first and I was not lost, in fact I found the second book better by reading it first) you can still read the second, even if that is the only book you read in the series, you NEED to read this book. It is one that you will never forget. I promise!
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