Rating: 
Summary: W.E.B. Griffin at the Rapture?
Review: This is a very good military-style thriller tied to the LEFT-BEHIND series. Odom writes very convincingly about the U. S. military, and his heroic protagonist, Ranger First Sergeant Sam Adams "Goose" Gander, is an outstanding character.There are several other characters introduced, along with separate sub-plots, and these show lots of potential for the series. The one about the doubt-filled Navy Chaplain plagued by demons as he tried to spread the word about the Rapture is especially intense. The one about Goose's wife, a Fort Benning social worker, has potential, but is not well-realized -- every child in the world is raptured away, and they're pressing kidnapping charges about one kid? Come on. To me, one of the weaknesses of the LEFT BEHIND series is that not enough attention was paid to the Rapture. And they we see most of it through the eyes of an airline pilot and a newspaper reporter. The best thing about APOCALYPSE DAWN is that is shows the responses from many different types of ordinary people to this extraordinary event.
Rating:
Summary: W.E.B. Griffin at the Rapture?
Review: This is a very good military-style thriller tied to the LEFT-BEHIND series. Odom writes very convincingly about the U. S. military, and his heroic protagonist, Ranger First Sergeant Sam Adams "Goose" Gander, is an outstanding character. There are several other characters introduced, along with separate sub-plots, and these show lots of potential for the series. The one about the doubt-filled Navy Chaplain plagued by demons as he tried to spread the word about the Rapture is especially intense. The one about Goose's wife, a Fort Benning social worker, has potential, but is not well-realized -- every child in the world is raptured away, and they're pressing kidnapping charges about one kid? Come on. To me, one of the weaknesses of the LEFT BEHIND series is that not enough attention was paid to the Rapture. And they we see most of it through the eyes of an airline pilot and a newspaper reporter. The best thing about APOCALYPSE DAWN is that is shows the responses from many different types of ordinary people to this extraordinary event.
Rating:
Summary: W.E.B. Griffin at the Rapture?
Review: This is a very good military-style thriller tied to the LEFT-BEHIND series. Odom writes very convincingly about the U. S. military, and his heroic protagonist, Ranger First Sergeant Sam Adams "Goose" Gander, is an outstanding character. There are several other characters introduced, along with separate sub-plots, and these show lots of potential for the series. The one about the doubt-filled Navy Chaplain plagued by demons as he tried to spread the word about the Rapture is especially intense. The one about Goose's wife, a Fort Benning social worker, has potential, but is not well-realized -- every child in the world is raptured away, and they're pressing kidnapping charges about one kid? Come on. To me, one of the weaknesses of the LEFT BEHIND series is that not enough attention was paid to the Rapture. And they we see most of it through the eyes of an airline pilot and a newspaper reporter. The best thing about APOCALYPSE DAWN is that is shows the responses from many different types of ordinary people to this extraordinary event.
Rating: 
Summary: Lame Born-again Clancy Wannabe
Review: This is the kind of book Tom Clancy would write if he were a born again Christian, or, alternately, the kind of book Jerry Jenkins would write if he were a military hardware buff. But Odom isn't up to either of those gentlemen's ability (not that I consider either of them great writers!). The main problem with so-called Christian novels is that they are too preachy & the characters & plot development take 2d place to getting out the message. This book illustrates those fault lines. The characters are one-dimensional stereotypes. Endless descriptions of military hardware & use of military jargon are no substitute for a strong plot and interesting characters. I gave up without finishing the book because the characters weren't interesting & I didn't care what happened to them. This book is a loser. Affirmative!
Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely Wonderful!
Review: What a wonderful addition to the Left Behind universe. Mel Odom has done an excellent job looking at the end time events from the military perspective. Once I started reading the book, I could not put it down. I have a friend reading it right now who is currently in the Naval Reserve and he is thoroughly enjoying the book as well. Only one question for Mr. Odom, when is the next book due out?
Rating:
Summary: needs more research into comand structure
Review: While I like the concept of the Military view of the Tribulation. I would like a little more accuracy in the command structure. ie
1st SGT Gander should be CSM Gander as it apears the he is a ranking battalion sargent. plus 1stSGT's are not referred to as "sarge" it is "!st SGT" or "TOP"
CPT Remmington should be a LTC or MAJ at Minimum as he appears to be a Battalion commander.
here is the basic command structure
troop: individual soldier Enlisted pvt - spc
team: 5 to 20 troops size may very lead by CPL or SGT
squad: generally 2 teams could be more depending on unit lead SGT-SSGT
Platoon: 7 to 8 squads size varies depending on unit type and mission lead by platoon sgt SSGT - SFC and Platoon leader 1st or 2nd leutenet
Company: 3 to 4 platoons lead by 1st SGT and Company commander CPT
Batallion: 3 to 4 companies lead by CSM and Batallion commander LTC, Majors generally hold the position of batallion XO
Brigade:3 to 4 Battallions commanded by a COL and a CSM Division: 3 to 4 Brigades generally commanded by a Major (2 star) General and a CSM.
Corp: three or more Divisions and supporting commands. Lt(3 star)General.
Just venting for those of us former Army guys. other wise a good story
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