Rating: 
Summary: I don't know whether to be offended or terrified - or both!
Review: Ok, I initially picked this book up because it sounded like an intriguing plotline (a little like Stephen King's The Stand mixed with his novella "The Langoliers"). What I didn't expect was a thinly disguised piece of propaganda aimed to make readers feel horrible about themselves and basically live in fear for the rest of their lives. But enough of how I disagree with the ideas behind the book. As for the book itself, I can find practically no reason to continue beyond the first chapter. The characters are completely undeveloped and any interesting facets of anyone's personality is lost whenever he or she becomes "saved." I found myself becoming upset whenever one of the characters became "saved" because that meant he or she would no longer be an interesting individual and now would basically be interchangeable with any other of the "saved" characters. Don't get me wrong, I have a few friends that are part of this lifestyle and they are wonderful people who are not preachy or obnoxious in the least, but I would not last a minute with any of these characters - they are too simplistic and annoying to be believed. There's no surprises, no reversals, and everything that happens is completely predictable. This book is so elitist as to be down right insulting to anyone who doesn't subscribe to this particular ethos. I honestly don't understand who is buying all these copies. As for continuing with the series, you've GOT to be kidding. I'm an openminded person and I have no problem exploring lifestyles different from my own, but this book exists solely to make people feel bad about their choices, and to bully them into changing their lives through fear. I cannot support or recommend that.
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent, quick read leaving you eager for the next book
Review: I had passed over the "Left Behind" series countless times in the bookstore, until a friend of mine suggested it after getting hooked on it. I picked up the first book on a lark while food shopping. A month later, I'm devouring the 5th and 6th books.Between the previous reviews and the information about the book provided on Amazon, you have enough to go on as to the plot, etc. First off, I am a Christian, but never delved into the realm of Christian fiction before this (Check out my bio for my picks). However, I would characterize this series as not only excellent, but as an interesting fight between good and evil, and how absolute power corrupts absolutely. Okay, I'm off my soapbox now. The best parallel I could make with this series is Stephen King's "The Stand." Much of the same imagery is there, with enough plot twists and surprises to keep readers returning for more and more. The classic fight between the Tribulation Force (also the title of the 2nd book) and Nicolae Carpathia will quickly remind King fans of Mother Abigail and Randall Flagg's teams duking it out in "The Stand." The series has not disappointed me once, and it's refreshing to read a series that doesn't resort to profanity or a gratuitous use of sexual situations or innuendo, and still manages to drive home the point of the story. My only regret is that I am finishing these books at the rate of one a week, and I will soon be at the end of the line, until the next book is published. Great job!
Rating:
Summary: Comic-Book Religion for the Masses
Review: What a load of tripe!! I don't know what is more frightening--that this book series is so popular, or that there are so many people living in this age who can swallow the hokey comic-book interpretations of the Bible in which certain sects of Protestantism seem to indulge. The beliefs and ideas of the most "primitive" tribes seem downright sophisticated in comparison. Fortunately, I know many Christians who give me a far better understanding and perspective of their faith than the authors of this nonsense.
Rating:
Summary: A shallow, poorly written series--
Review: I understand that these books may help some to understand Revelations--a very difficult book to read. However, the plot is shallow, the characters flat, and the writing is stilted and boring. If you want a book to impress upon you the horror and glory of the earth's final days, why not read the Bible? Revelations itself is more horrific and terrible than anything this series could possibly produce. ....
Rating:
Summary: Great Book, Slow Start
Review: Left Behind is a fantastic book. I read it in less than a day, and I am only sorry I don't have the second book in the series. Be warned, though, that the book starts off bad. Much of the first scene seems stolen from the Steven King novella, "Langoliers." Also, the way some characters are introducded just comes across as cheesy. Once you get past the first few pages, though, you can't put it down. Like Rand's "Fountainhead" this is a message book, and if you don't treat it that way your experience will probably suffer. Happily though, like Fountainhead, you don't need to agree with the message (I didn't) to enjoy the book and be wrapped up in the experience. Read the book, free your eyes and ears, and listen to the most popular apolgetic for Christianity since "The Gospel of the Infancy."
Rating: 
Summary: Fundamentalist Fiction
Review: This series describes itself as fiction, and it is truly that. If you only read it at that level, and expect merely to pass the time, then it certainly will do no harm. But the writers intend more than that--they want it to evangelize. They believe that the silly narrative they weave, of dematerializing bodies, will actually happen. These are the teachings of the fundamentalist Protestant philosophy of "Dispensationalist Premillennialism." Catholics and Mainline Protestants will realize that it is based on a literalistic reading of the Book of Revelation, which ignores the actual context in which Revelation was written. LaHaye and Jenkins think that when Revelation speaks of giant locusts attacking the earth with stinging tails, that this will literally occur! Given such silliness, one must wonder why the books are selling as well as they are.
Rating:
Summary: Fits the Bill!
Review: Why does anyone read a book? To learn and be entertained, of course! The Left Behind Series gave me new insight into the end times as well as kept me reading late into the night. At times it was hard for my eyes not to leap to the next page, as I was so eager to see what happens next! I grew up knowing something about the Rapture and the return of Jesus Christ, so it gave me an added kick to see how they revealed their interpretation of each tribulation as it unfolded. The books are a good, solid read that gives you a glimpse at how our world, as we know it, might crumble. I was disgusted at some of the reviews who blasted the Christian faith in their attempt to prevent people from checking these books out. As for me, I enjoyed them thoroughly and I'm going to dig out my Bible and start reading again!
Rating:
Summary: This Book Only Preaches to the Converted.
Review: This is not simple fiction, folks. It is a preaching tool for Christians to scare people into following them and their religion. Since talk of Hell doesn't seem to bother anyone anymore, propagandists LaHaye and Jenkins have used "The Rapture" as a contemporary way of scaring people into "falling in line." After all, who would possibly want to be denied the lavishness of heaven by being "left behind?" The authors do not wish readers to think of this as mere fiction, but as a warning for a future that they are convinced is coming. Make no mistake. This is not intended as simple science-fiction, or a light Sunday afternoon read. The intent is to convince you that if you do not follow the path that Christians follow, you will be "Left Behind." It's arrogant, pushy, and should be seen for what it is: A blatant, recruiting tool for Christianity using fiction and fear as their main weapon.
Rating: 
Summary: high marks for the effect on my life
Review: Granted, the series is poorly written. However, I believe that the books are geared toward lapsed Christians to redirect them to the true meaning of following Jesus. All too often we are lazy in our beliefs and our "Christianity" is reduced to our cultural identity. The books certainly succeed in presenting a gripping fictionalized account of the end times. The "preachiness" is meant to hammer home the central tenents of Christianity. To the non-believers out there, you really should critique this book as Christian fiction, not as a Tom Clancy-esque entertainment. Overlook the poorly-drawn characters, do not build an underground shelter. Instead, dust off that bible and spread the good news. In reply to a prior negative review, I doubt that the authors meant to offend non-believers. Rather, the theme of the book is that we must share Christ's message of salvation. This is a message of love, not of hate and intolerance. Thank you, LeHaye and Jenkins, for shaking me out of my complacency.
Rating:
Summary: I thought it was awesome
Review: I have to admit that I'm not really the "reading for fun" type, but I found myself reaching for this book every chance that I could. Even while sitting in class, I kept wondering what would happen next, and I couldn't wait to get home and continue reading. As for those who believe that the authors are trying to use this book, and the rest of the series, to try and force their beliefs on others, I couldn't disagree more. I think that if you believe then you believe, and if you don't, then you don't. And if you're somewhere in between, this definitely gives you something to think about. I would not hesitate recommending this book to anyone who is interested in thought provoking literature, and I can't wait to continue with the rest of the series.
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