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Summary: Get caught up on being "LEFT BEHIND"!
Review: Curiosity led me to this novel and has got me hooked on the future installments! Based on the Book of Revelations, this fiction novel takes us into the lives of Captain Rayford Steele, his daughter Chloe, writer Cameron "Buck" Williams, and Pastor Bruce Barnes, starting with the day that The Rapture occurs. People start dissapearing all over the world, leaving behind others with no explanation as to why they were left behind. To all others, the blame lies with aliens and science technology, but to Pastor Barnes and others, the answer lies within the Bible, where those who truly believed in Christ and His power were taken to heaven, leaving behind those who will have a second chance to prove themselves within the next seven years.
Add to the the mix the mysterious Nicolae, who, within a span of year, rises from the lower ranks of his native government to one of the highest positions of power in the United States government. His presence is very reassuring to the people of this country, but his methods are automatically suspect to those that are learning the word of Christ. Throw in a couple of murders that link back to Buck's investigation of Nicolae and the money men backing him, and you have the beginning of a series that is thought-provoking and entertaining at the same time.
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Summary: A LOOK AT THE NOVELS OF REVELATION
Review: I am a very big fan of novels that deal with the Biblical Apocalypse and, with so many different types, thought it would be worthwhile to give an overview of the ones I have read.
Left Behind, by Tim Lehay- The series that started it all. These novels are, in truth, somewhat boring, but it covers the bases with a depth that none of the others do, probably owing to the fact that there are so many of them. They lack character development and deep theology, but are a fun, if shallow read
The Christ clone Trilogy by James Beauseigneur- Well written novels that focus on the scientific and political. Tom Clancy meets Left behind is not too far off the mark. I greatly enjoyed these books although I felt a little let down by the ending. Overall, a good political take on the End.
We All Fall Down by Brian Caldwell- Certainly the most controversial of these novels. The focus here is the individual and why someone would ever in their right mind reject salvation. Very brutal, although probably more realistic, in its depiction of the End. This is certainly not a book for the timid, but for the rest, I found it the most intelligent, well written, and, oddly enough, spiritual of the bunch. It's hard to walk away from this book with feeling to need to take a fresh look at one's own relationship to Christ.
Blood of Heaven, by Bill Myers- These are intelligent, character focused novels. I found the theology again to be a little weak, but really enjoyed following the distictive characters.
The Last Gentile Trilogy by Cary Bybee- Better written than Left Behind, but lacking the scope of that work. Like conquest of Paradise or Christ clone, it it based in science, but perhaps too much. Not enough religion for my taste.
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Summary: Propaganda, pure and simple
Review: I don't take rating this book at 1 star lightly. I checked out the audiobook at my local library a couple weeks ago and listened to it while working . I did this out of interest. I knew that the book as very popular with certain parts of society, so I wanted to see what all the hype was.
Let me tell you that this book has no value other than pure propaganda for an EXTREME fundamentalist view of the bible. I've read many books relating and regarding the bible and this book is just terrible. If it was written as a guide to certain views of revelations, then I may have rated it higher. But, the writers attempted to put a storyline around these "facts" in a most pathetic way that I had to rate it 1 star.
I cannot tell you how simple and plain the characters and plot are. I just cannot explain how bad this book is; you should read or listen to it yourselves. Just don't buy it. It would be a complete waste of your money.
If you are looking for a book to back up a fantasticly strange and factless view of your religion, this book may be for you. But if you are looking for a book of fiction about good and evil and the struggle within, I would recommend The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Rating: 
Summary: A different kind of EOW book
Review: I have always been a big fan of EOW (end of world) books and found this one too be an interesting twist on the whole post apocalyptic theme.
Having been raised in a catholic home, I spent 15+ years being indoctrinated in religiouos dogma surrounding the rapture. Despite this, I cannot think of any other books that actually investigate this as a plotline.
I would recommend this series of books, even if you aren't particularly religious. The writing isn't exactly Clancy or Grisham, but the storyline is compelling, and the topic interesting. I recently read a couple of other EOW books that were worthy of notice as well: Earth the New Frontier was pretty good, and Apocalypse Warrior was readable but could have used some work.
If you like EOW books then check out Left Behind.
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Summary: Okay story, but writing needs major work!
Review: I read this book all the way through in the course of an evening, but I do have some major problems with it. But they have nothing to do with the theology of it, since I don't know enough about these topics to be able to correct it.My problem is with the writing. It's awful. It's worse than awful... it's the book equivalent of 'Manos: the Hands of Fate'. First of all, the characters are made out of cardboard. From the major characters to the background players. Especially those 'left behind'. The most major 'sin' evidenced by one of the 'left behind' is Rayford's lust towards another woman, which is incredibly vague; sometimes they treat it as if he only desired her, and then they have Hattie thinking they're supposed to be in a relationship? Uh-huh. And the names are really just... silly, for the most part. Rayford, Dirk, Buck/Cameron, Hattie... if they were supposed to be somewhat representative of real people, they would have done better to choose more common names. Tons of 'strange' names are a frequent problem with beginner specfic writers; apparently, these guys are no exception. And on top of all that, there's the single largest tenant of fiction writing: Show, Don't Tell. Buck isn't supposed to toe the line, but yet he's always shown trying to conform. Chloe is rebellious, yet it hardly takes her any time at all to convert. And worst of all, they make little use of dialogue when it's most needed--Nicolae's eloquent, powerful speech is usually condensed into description instead, and the rest of what he says seems bland, voiceless. The plot lacked the movement it needed at some points, lapsing far too many times into evangelizing without any real emotion to keep the reader reading. And most of the conflict is, well, laughable. The miracles, which should be some of the main points in the book, are practically ho-hum to the characters, and therefore to readers as well. I was looking at this like a novel; I have my own beliefs, and I don't generally take them from fiction. But while I've heard from other reviews that it was either fantastic or terrible as theology, the writers of this book need a number of refresher courses in their craft.
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Summary: Amazing book
Review: I've read this book once...and then read these reveiws. The book is amazing. I read a little bit into Revelation and see how the story line came. To all the reveiwers that say that this is an impossible story or that there will never be a rapture...well they didn't just make this up. Best bet is God spoke through to them and had them write. It wasn't imagination. It's going to happen. Funny thing is is that the names Nicolae and Carpathia are in the bible as bad names.
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Summary: Weak storyline coupled with weak theology
Review: It is hard to know how to evaluate a book like Left Behind. Is it aiming to be a piece of light fiction - easy to read, yet lacking a factual foundation? No - the subject matter is a little too dire for that. Is it then a theological treatise, presenting a case for the Rapture? No - there is a definite 'novel' feel to it. And this, I feel, is where the primary problem lies with Christian novels such as this one - they try to integrate two styles of writing (fiction and theological) which quite frankly is difficult. No doubt there have been some successes in the past (such as Pilgrim's Progress), but Left Behind tends to focus on the 'fiction' (storyline) angle predominantly. From what I see the book appears to be written based on a premise of premillianism (probably dispensational) which shapes how the story develops - though admittedly I have some amillenial bias. Looking at the story itself though, I found the character development very thin, and the real purpose of the first book appears to be to whet the appetite for the second (and following) books - it lacks literary completeness in and of itself. For twelve dollars US I was expecting alot more...
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Summary: Definitely a real pager turner, even for the non-Christian
Review: Left Behind and the 11 sequels are really just one long novel. It is possible, though not satisfying to read only the first one. I really enjoyed the first novel, Left Behind (well enough to read the next 11), although I actually stopped reading it for a while because the focus on the disbelievers was maddening. Millions of people all over the world disappear at once (coicidentally the die-hard Christians), and there is some question about what has happened? I suppose LeHaye and Jenkins were trying to convey just how ridiculous the non-Christians must seem to the Christians, but it was a bit overboard and actually a little boring. Anyway, our heroes finally accept Christ and the rest of the novels were action packed page turners. Of course, the Antichrist takes over rule of the world using the UN and the promise of world peace. I actually laughed out loud when the Antichrist was promising peace and extolling the exact sentiments you hear in the average Hillary Clinton speech (coincidence?). The novels read just an epic disaster novel and were just as fun. I would warn people who are anti-religion that the preaching is a little thick, but I enjoyed it and it was necessary to set the proper tone.
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Summary: After the Rapture...
Review: Left Behind Book 1 follows the end of the world as prophesied in the Bible book of Revelation starting from a few minutes before the rapture until about three months later. So, in case you haven't picked up on it yet this is a Christian view of the Apocalypse.
The first half reads like a pretty decent bestseller. All the Christians on earth have disappeared into thin air. This includes those currently driving car planes etc. So chaos reigns for a few days and then long term effects set in. We follow the stories of commercial pilot Rayford Steele, who is exactly the character his name suggests he is, and globe trotting star reporter Buck. The pilot allows us to see the effects of the rapture on earth. Steele is piloting a plane during the rapture and his wife and young son both disappear (his daughter remains), so we see the effects on society as a whole and on one individual family. Meanwhile following star reporter Buck as he races from place to place gives lots of opportunity for action and typical bestseller stuff. He stays on top of the action while trying to find out who is responsible for murdering a close friend. The first half of the book makes for a pretty fast read and a non-Christian could read it and enjoy it as well as a Christian.
In the second half of the book: Buck's job has gotten him close to the anti-Christ. The prophesies of Revelation are being fulfilled. These prophesies are pretty extreme and trying to fit them into the action makes the book less believable. Buck, Steele and Steele's daughter all go through conversions to Christianity. This provides many opportunities for some plugs for God. Christians may like these, most non-Christians won't. It all seems kind of odd to include this detail because as each person converts they think things like, "Well now that I've SEEN THE RAPTURE, this must be true." As yet the rapture hasn't occurred, so many of these thought processes are very specific to the world covered in Left Behind. Yes religion is a plot point, but these are going to feel preachy for a non-Christian (and good for a Christian). The second half of the book may be a good light study of the prophesies in Revelation, but isn't as satisfying to read.
If you are at all curious, then I recommend reading the first half of this book. It makes for a pretty good disaster story. The second half will be a better read for Christians than non-Christians. If you are into the story then go for it. If not then it isn't likely to pick up for you.
Rating:
Summary: Are You READY?
Review: Left Behind has been one of my favorite books. i've read it twice in a year. it's very easy to get into and it's very easy to read. it's very intersting that you won't be able to stop reading it.
the story is very intersting and it makes you think about the future and about what's going to happen after the Rapture of the church. even though it's about 400 pages, it doesn't seem that long because of all the action and adventures that happen throughout the book.
overall, i love this book and i recommend it to everyone; i would even say that unbelievers should (must) read it; while there is a chance for them to repent and recieve the Lord in their hearts before it's too late. it's also nice for believers to read it and get a picture of might be happening here on earth while they're in heaven.
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