Rating: 
Summary: Awesome!
Review: I think that Left Behind 2 was a great book. I think that most readers would probably like this book. It's very interesting, but it's not boring and preachy, like some Christian books I've read. Some people don't like Christian books, but I'd recommend this book to everyone. It's a great book, and I think it's kind of funny. If you haven't read this book yet, I would suggest that you do.
Rating: 
Summary: Too clean cut
Review: I'm currently reading this book and I have to say that I'm disappointed with the characters. I mean, they seem too perfect. Before they became born-again Christians, they really didn't lead a struggling life and they appear boring. Because of that I don't sympathize with these characters and I can't relate to them at all. They neither realistic nor creative. I'd rather read about characters who went through a hard life and succeeded. Nicolae seems to have more personality that those 4 characters put together and I'm starting to like him! Come on, this whole thing about the relationship with Chloe and Buck is ridiculous. It's like watching a horrible after-school special. I mean, Buck is suppose to be this renown journalist who experienced dangerous situations before, yet, he's shy about the relationship with Chloe? I also find the father a bit eerie who seems really interested in their relationship than his own life. I'm also annoyed about the female characters like Hattie and Chloe. They are so obnxious! This book has some potential if the authors put some effort into writing better character development and the characters' descriptive appearances. I'd like the authors to paint a projection of their appearances. The only positive thing about this book is Nicolae Carpathia.
Rating: 
Summary: The Plot Holes Thicken.
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed LEFT BEHIND and looked forward to reading TRIBULATION FORCE, the second book in the series. I'm sorry to say, I was disappointed. LEFT BEHIND engaged me. I realize that it is basically Christian pulp fiction, but it was a good story (isn't most pulp fiction?). I wish I could say the same of TRIBULATION FORCE.The book starts off pretty much where LEFT BEHIND ended. Buck is working and living in Chicago after being demoted. Rayford is still flying planes, Bruce is still pastoring, and Chloe is settling in back home. There are a few minor twists and turns, but nothing really major. There just isn't any suspense like there was in LEFT BEHIND. I won't give away any of the interesting plot lines here, because there aren't many. With that said there are two other reasons why TRIBULATION FORCE failed where LEFT BEHIND succeeded. The first is all the romance. Chloe likes Buck, Buck likes Chloe, Chloe sees a woman going into Buck's apartment, Chloe hates Buck, a woman named Amanda likes Rayford, Rayford doesn't like anyone for awhile. Kiss, kiss, hug, hug. Yuck!!! Intelligent readers will understand why all the romantic stuff is there and in order not to offend anyone, I won't reveal why. Let's just say that LaHaye & Jenkins aren't just decent storytellers, they are also brilliant marketers and salesmen as well. They really know how to increase an audience size. Nevertheless, though all that romantic goop increases sales, it also takes a lot away from the story: you can't have many murder attempts when people are trying to get to know each other better. The other reason this book fails to achieve what LEFT BEHIND did is the huge 18 month plot hole. The entire set of books takes place roughly over a period of 7 years. Ask any wise person and they will tell you that every moment in life is precious. Well, apparently there were 18 months of the character's lives that just weren't important enough to be written about. We get a sort or flashback here and there, updating what went on during those 18 months, but that's it. I understand sometimes that writers get in a rut when writing epic tales of grandeur and fastforwarding ahead in time is a good way to keep the story going. However, these books aren't an epic series. There aren't 100 different major characters. There's approximately ten and that's it. Also, usually when authors fastfoward and leave out huge blocks of time, it fits the story. Not here. I think it's more of a copout than anything else because the authors were too anxious to get into the plagues of Revelation than take time to develop the characters and flesh out the story more. Speaking of copouts, I'll leave with one.
Rating:
Summary: A great Christian Read
Review: After having read all 8 of the left behind series books over the last 3 weeks I can only say with a short word, WOW! I have read some people reviews criticizing the books for being to bland and written for a young audience. Most of what is written in these books comes from a book that is often referred to as bland and not very exciting, this book is affectionately known as the Bible. Do I have problems with these books I would have to say yes, consider if you would the cost of jet aircraft and jet fuel for said aircraft would be astronomical. Planes somehow being able to fly great distances (Israel to Illinois is over 5000 nm) without refueling stops add to the disillusion of the story. But this is why this work is referred to as fiction and not non-fiction, if it were based on more factual data the story would have more realism yes but it would be no less entertaining. There are portions of the books that do seem to drag along but for the most part books keep a good pacing and a wanting from the reader. I read from other readers that there is no cussing and other sins committed by these new believers, for this I can only state that sometimes people can radically change with God in their lives and perhaps that is something that these writers are attempting to convey with their writings. One thing that does bother me is the fact that the writers have now decided that 1 book a year will be all the put out for the series, is there a guarantee that there will only be another 4 books in this series? After all the first 42 months of the tribulation consumed 7 books and anyone who has read revelations will tell you that the next 42 months of what will be known as the Great Tribulation will be twice as intense as could every be imagined in the first 42 months. So is it possible that without an increase in the size and material explored in these next books that the series could become 15 or more books? If that is the case the rapture may occur before this series is every completed. I personally think some people are taking these books to replace the bible, instead of what these books are intended to be. And for those who still consider these books so poorly written let me point to you two of the most poorly penned books I have ever had the misfortune of reading. The author of these two books is Dr. Robert Davis, they are titled; The Plutonium Murders and the Doomsday Kiss. Do I think the likes of Stephen King, Tom Clancy, John Grisham or others I will not list here have something to be frightened of by these authors the answer I am ashamed to say would be no. The vast majority of people in the world will never know these books as great writing or entertainment. I give the books a 5 star rating although in actuality I would say for character and plot development it would receive a 1 Star, for writing quality a 2 Star, for a reasonable plot and research a 2 Star (this being generous) but for overall being something I would recommend to others for the pure entertainment of everything I give the books my full recommendations.
Rating: 
Summary: Dating - Circa 1920
Review: First of all, I will read the next one because I have read that it is a lot better then this book. Then again, I have read better character development in my son's Blue's Clues books. The problem is that this book centers on the characters and their dating turmoil which frankly made me cringe. A 30 year old 'famous' journalist who cannot even hold a girls hand! Silly. During the "most historic moment of our time" he is eating a cookie because his girlfriend is too. Come on! He kisses her about 8 months after they start dating and is so happy after she effortlessly HOLD HIS HAND in public - even though they are married. And, all of a sudden, Rayford is married. Please! It's a shame because the last few pages are excellent and I wish the authors would concentrate on the end-times rather then "Leave it to Beaver II". Poorly written - but I'll try the third one.
Rating: 
Summary: Tribulation Force: Building the players
Review: In this second book of the series, the main characters come to believe that their loved ones have been raptured and band together as they struggle to embrace God's truth for themselves. Forming the Tribulation Force, Steele and Williams, along with Rayford's daughter Chloe and their pastor Bruce Barnes, meet to study the Bible, pray and support one another in their uncertainty. They realize Nicolae Carpathia is the prophesied Antichrist of Revelation as they watch him centralize his power. As leader of the United Nations, he signs a peace treaty with Israel, and lures the nations of the earth to form one global village. Pilot Rayford Steele and journalist Cameron ("Buck") Williams find themselves employees of Carpathia and hide their faith in Jesus so that they can witness unhampered. Using their positions, they secretly fight against the Antichrist. Judgments of God begin to fall on the earth, the prophesied two witness begin their ministry, and the tribulation force fights not only to stay alive, but battle the forces of evil in the strength of their budding, newborn faith. In The Tribulation Force, the relationships between Rayford, Buck, Chloe, and Bruce become much more defined and the battle against evil begins in earnest. A new character is added to the force - Amanda who becomes Rayford's fiancée. Although you may be unfamiliar with, or not agree with, the prophetic outline LaHaye and Jenkins present, you must admit to doing some self-examination and comparison to current events after you read these books. Tribulation Force is not filled with fast action, but it does a good job of segwaying to the third book.
Rating:
Summary: Fair reading, some drawbacks...
Review: I haven't ever seen a disclaimer from the authors that this series is the definitive interpretation of Scripture for the 21st century, so I will give them a modest pass for any discrepancies or disagreements I may have with it. Any offensiveness, in their defense, I believe comes from taking their writing a bit too seriously. LaHay and Jenkins are not the final authority on who stays and who goes, it's key to remember that while reading. If nothing else, it may compel someone to actually read for themselves what Scripture says. The story itself (I'm referring to the audio version) made for a quick and interesting look into the potential scenarios yet to be played out. Frank Muller's voice is very well suited to cover the narration and dialogue. He had excellent delivery. From that aspect, I enjoyed it. I winced a bit at some of the conversation between the characters (frankly, I thought some of it was a bit corny). I wanted to hear more about pertinent matters relating to the condition of the world, not blossoming love interests between the principals. As far as validity, the authors wrote this to address a mass market, not theologians. If you are looking for something that makes for interesting reading, is quick and easy to get through, and gives you cause to think; I recommend it. If you are looking for something a little more engaging, try C.S. Lewis.
Rating:
Summary: A Variety of Problems
Review: The reasons I disliked this book were: 1. The book was poorly written (the characters were flat and one dimensional, the plot was taken directly from Revelation with no obvious creativity on the part of the author 2. It was anti-Israel and anti-Semitic (Having Israel welcome the Anti-Christ enthusiasticly, and resume animal sacrifices (How believable is that) and having all the Jews either be quick to be "saved" and become Christian or gullible fools who flocked the the Anti-Christ 3. It was anti-foreigner (having the anti-Christ be Romanian) 4. All the characters were flat and stereotypical. Jenkins and LaHaye had the opurtunity to write an interesting and informative series about the end of the world, to inform both Christians and non-Christians about the prophesized Tribulation. They blew this oppurtunity, and choose to fill it with their own beliefs instead.
Rating:
Summary: Great continuance of the first book!!
Review: Tribulation Force takes off where "Left Behind" ended. It is a great continuation of the story of those left behind after the rapture of Jesus Christ. I found this book more dramatic than the first book. It tends to focus on the love relationships of the main characters more. It also shows the evil side of Nicolae Carpathia, the anti-Christ, better more. I have been impressed with the first two "Left Behind" books and they have very strong messages, but I think people do need to remember that it is a fictional story. It is not proven that this is what the rapture would be like. It's just an interpretation. I wouldn't read this book for the purpose of finding facts, but for the purpose of getting the authors' interpretations of what it will be like. This series might not be for everyone, but for the people it is for, you will certainly enjoy the series.
Rating:
Summary: "Tribulation Force" -- Review #1
Review: I've decided that the only way in which I can give an honest appraisal of "Tribulation Force" is to write two reviews -- one concerning anti-Catholicism and the second concerning the writing, plot, etc. Several reviews have been written alleging "Anti-Catholicism" to which one of the authors, Mr. Jenkins, has briefly (and defensively) responded. So as a conservative, Christian clergyman who is neither a Roman Catholic nor an Independant Bible fundamentalist, perhaps I can shed some light on this question. Item: The main point of "Tribulation Force" is not to bash Catholics. Item: Either Mr. LaHaye or Mr. Jenkins (or both) is/are woefully uninformed as to what Catholics believe. Item: Although "Tribulation Force" does not seem to exist solely for the purpose of bashing Catholics, books in this genre have (for decades) typically featured a high-level Catholic clergyman (Pope, bishop, etc.) as representing the "False Prophet" of Revelation -- and this book is no exception. Item: Some extremely basic studying of Catholic doctrine would probably have eliminated several of the more glaring errors made by the authors -- which, presumably caused the greatest level of offense to Catholics. These would include: 1) Suggesting that of all the Roman Curia, only the newly elected Pope was "Raptured", apparently for becoming a theological Lutheran. Such a supposition is insulting to Catholics, to Lutherans, to historians who are aware of the social and political ramifications of the Reformation era, and to theologians who are aware of what exactly Luther taught and believed, how that differs from Lutheran theology today, and how neither theology fits with the LaHaye/Jenkins ecclesiology. Essentially, the authors would disagree with classic Lutheran theology as much as they do with Catholic theology. 2) The Archbishop of Cincinnati figure, who is obviously destined to be the "False Prophet" character, suggests that he doesn't take the "Apocrypha" literally. LaHaye and Jenkins are confusing the "Apocalypse" which is another name for the book of Revelation, with the "Apocrypha", a Protestant term used to signify certain books which Catholics and Orthodox Christians accept, but that most Protestants reject. 3) There seems to be some fundamental misunderstanding by LaHaye/Jenkins about Catholic theology of baptism. 4) There seems to be some fundamental misunderstanding by LaHaye/Jenkins about Catholic theology of justification. 5) There seems to be a total lack of understanding by LaHaye/Jenkins about how the Catholic hierarchy actually functions; the role of the College of Cardinals; which cities are traditionally Cardinal sees, etc. 6) There is a strong suggestion that those Catholics who would be raptured are those who have left the Church. Some further thoughts: Item: Luther, upon whom the salvation of the pope in "Tribulation Force" apparently rested, seriously doubted the inspiration of the book of Revelation. It is highly doubtful at best that he would subscribe to the eschatology presented by LaHaye/Jenkins. My conclusion: LaHaye/Jenkins do not seem to have set out to write a deliberately anti-Catholic book. However, their ignorance/misunderstanding of Catholic belief and practice, coupled with certain presuppositions which, unfortunately, are fairly typical of certain elements of American fundamentalism, certainly set forth an atmosphere (unintended or not) which fosters anti-Catholic attitudes and is rooted more in American nativism than in actual theology. Yes, ignorance can hurt and offend - and as such does not further the unity of the Body of Christ prayed for by Jesus Himself in John's Gospel. No stars for sloppy research and unnecessary offense.
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