Rating:  Summary: Great concept to bring Revelations and the Rapture to light Review: It is a good idea to bring Revelations and the Rapture to light but the writing style is not great. The characters are not really developed and I agree with another review that the female characters are weak, but then so are the males. The characters are a bit too naive and simplistic and this is where the storyline becomes implausible to accomodate the simple characters. I cannot believe that an investigative reporter would be that naive. I think in a real world of a truly wily and utterly deceptive antichrist, they would be eaten up and destroyed in no time. It is not great writing and pretty simplistic which is a flaw of much Christian writing. However, having said all this, I still look forward to reading the next book-like a soap opera. And I think manifesting the Rapture in real-life terms is great. No longer is it, there are two in the field and then there is one. I wish I found the characters strong and inspiring but I did not. I have to go the the Old Testament for that! The only two characters that inspired me were the two prophets at the Wall. I found the Peter Danielson "Children of the Lion" series much more spiritual and inspiring--It brings the Bible and the history of the Jews to life - and let's not forget Jesus was a Jew bringing a new testament to them from God and Paul brought it to us gentiles. I gave a 3 star rating based not on the writing, but on making the Rapture and Revelations more accessible only. I don't think this series is a great or inspiring example of the true love of Christ or the wondrous power of God BUT IT TRIES (which should be commended).
Rating:  Summary: An Excellent Setup to an Excellent Series Review: I loved this book, just as I have loved the rest of the Left Behind series. Written by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, these books deliver a powerful spiritual message without denominational slurs and an in-your-face attack. This book, like others, has a powerful storyline, a strong message, and memorable characters. I highly recommend this book - and any book in this series - for anybody interested in Christianity or the end times.The main characters - Rayford, Chloe, and Buck - begin their saga in the times after the Rapture. This book is high suspense, making the time it takes to turn a page seem like forever. Will Rayford reunite himself and Chloe? Will Buck and Rayford meet again? Will the people left behind come to realize the power of Christ? As I stated before, I highly recommend this novel and other novels in the series. I certainly would read the books in order, and I would have a bible handy to catch many of the allusions. Admittedly, this is the slowest book of the series since it must set everything up. However, for the most part it is a fun read with a powerful message. I have one final piece of advice - buy Tribulation Force when you purchase this book. You won't want to wait for the next edition to arrive!
Rating:  Summary: Very Good!!!!!!!! Review: This book was a perfect example of how to make religious material not boring. I was compelled of all the action and in depth decribtion of the characters. I am happy to announce that I will be going to church this Sunday because of this book. It made me rexamin my faith and i am a stronger Christian than ever. The characters were well thoughtout, as well as the decisions they made. The one thing that I was confused about was Nicolae, or the Antichrist. He seemed to have everyone and everything under his power, besides the strong believers that were left behind. I cannot wait to read the second book in this series along with the rest of them.
Rating:  Summary: An Amazing Revelation Review: Rayford Steele a highy esteemed airline pilot unknowingly witnesses the Rapture first hand, as being airborne on a 747. When he finally manages to get home he is completely overwhelmed as he finds his wife's and Ratford jr's clothes lying in the beds they once slept in. "In the twinlking of an eye" they were taken to heaven as Christ raptured his church. As Rayford worries he comes to knowledge that his daughter Chloe is still amougsnt the Left Behind, and finally reunites with her. A media man, Cameron Williams, too witnesses this rapture as he is onboard the plane of Steeles, and with many God guided event following, comes to fall in love with Chloe. the two have many ups and downs but find the love they need to servive the upcoming 7 years of trials and tribulations. With Willims high state of journalism he becomes involved in with the rising potential of a Romanian President, a Mr. Nicolae Carpathia. With his rising popularity he is asked to take over the U.N's seat of Secretary-General as the former U.N.leader resigns and a unanimous vote he takes the position. Williams becomes suspicious with the sudden rise to power of Carpathia and diligently pursues the "most powerful man in the world" Williams gets too close to the truth when he witnesses Carpathia's wrathh, as he brutally kills two of his close friends at a U.N. meeting. As pacnic breaks lose Carpathia soothes away the doubt as he influences their memories into a huge lie, in witch William's is the only one who can withstand Carpathia's brainwashing. This mind controlling resistance he owes to his newly devoted life in Christ. People become at ease with Carpathia in power, and feel at peace with his promises for Worldy brotherhood. But few know this man's true side, but Williams, Chloe, Rayford and their preacher Bruce Barnes. These four band together as the times of judgement come closer to later form the Tribulation Force..
Rating:  Summary: Powerful!!! Review: Reading "Left Behind" gets you to thinking about the possibilities and it has you reaching for your Bible to check out the book's premise. It can knock the props out of your feeling of security in todays world. Almost impossible to read "Left Behind" without running out to purchase the next in the series. Beverly J Scott author of Righteous Revenge
Rating:  Summary: LEFT BEHIND Review: In this exciting story, based on the theme of the Second Coming in the bible, millions disappear from around the earth. Vehicles lose their drivers; airliners lose their pilots. The chaos that results is awful. Babies, children, parents, clergymen, ordinary church-folk, suddenly gone. The world is plunged into disarray, war, and starvation. But out of chaos a new world order may arise, if a strong leader can be found. Interpretations abound: aliens, sinister new technology, or the ancient prophecy may be true - they may have been taken to heaven. Air line pilot Rayford Steele loses his wife, and like all those left behind he must come to terms with his separation and make sense of it all. This is the first of the thought provoking Left Behind series.
Rating:  Summary: the best Review: if you're lost, you'll get found and saved. if you're already saved, you'll rejoice. an excellent way to follow the book of revelation!!! this series makes it all so real. read them all. ...
Rating:  Summary: Thought Provoking Novel Review: A possible extramarital affair, an unexplained event where Russian aircraft seem to self-destruct before they can defeat their enemy, a secret formula that will change the worlds food production, the disappearance of thousands of people throughout the world, murder, and a good-looking, humble President Nicolae Carpathia of Romania, who seems too good to be true, but is possibly the Antichristeach of these has the makings of a great book. Left Behind incorporates all of these plots. The story begins with two men. Rayford Steele, a 747 pilot on his way to London, is contemplating having an affair with his flight attendant Hattie Durham because of his wifes irritating religious beliefs. Steele is blaming his wifes belief that God will rapture his church for pushing him towards infidelity. Cameron Williams, also known as Buck, a reporter for the Global Weekly, is a passenger on Steeles flight. Buck is going to London to meet a friend from Princeton, Dirk, who has been feeding Buck information about his belief in an international money conspiracy. The reader learns of another character, Chaim Rosenzweig who has created a synthetic fertilizer that could change the worlds food supply. As Steele decides to leave the cockpit to visit Hattie, he discovers her in a state of panic. Numerous passengers have disappearedvanished into thin airwith clothes, shoes, and jewelry left behind. This phenomenon has occurred throughout the world, and chaos reigns since people have disappeared from every conceivable place. Distraught over his missing wife and son, Rayford turns to the church and finally understands and believes in Christs rapture of his church. A humble Romanian Nicolae Carpathia enters the picture. He appears to want nothing but worldwide disarmament and peace. However, he is the epitome of evil and appears to be the Antichrist. With continuous twists and turns, suspense, and good versus evil, it is difficult to put this book down. I will definitely be continuing the series to see what happens next.
Rating:  Summary: It was OK Review: I am a christen, however let me just say that the characters are wooden and dialogue and plot are almost nonexistent. Now from a strictly theological standpoint it does have merit but that is not enough to save it. It does not help spread the message of Jesus in any way, it only helps spread the Fire and Brimstone approach that is so prevalent in some areas of this country. No one is going to read this book and be converted or filled with holy zeal. Christians like myself will pat themselves on the back because they are going to heaven and the unchurched will laugh and call us "ignorant fudentalists".
Rating:  Summary: Interesting, easy read Review: Reading some of the other reviews, I felt I had to make my voice heard. Left Behind is as many have put it very simply written, but I imagine that was done on purpose to make the book accessible to everyone. I do not claim to go to church regularly or believe that the end of the world would actually happen like this but the story does have a nice science-fiction read to it. The characters could use a little more definition, especially those that are to become the main focus over the course of the series, and the dialogue at times is too simple for the way that most people talk. However, this book did manage to entertain me enough that I bought the next two the day I finished the first. The only really annoying part of the book was when a Bible verse was mentioned without actually including it; this may have led to better understanding of some of the character's thoughts. I would recommend the story to people, but with the caveat that they might be put off by the "preachy" nature of the book. 3 Stars for cleverness, losing the two for the simple dialogue and characters.
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