Rating: 
Summary: Divisive and hurtful
Review: The author of the short "Beyond Iraq: The Next Move," Michael Evans, wastes little time informing us about his impressive credentials: this fundamentalist Christian minister regularly confers with heads of state, powerbrokers, and the shining stars of the Christian Right. Names like Menachem Begin, Benjamin Netanyahu, George Bush, James Baker, Shimon Peres, and even Yasser Arafat repeatedly appear in this book. Moreover, Evans includes photos of himself posing with several of these politicians. You will notice that many of the names I just listed were leaders of the State of Israel, a nation that Mike Evans feels is in a calamitous situation right now with the emergence of a worldwide terrorism threat. It is no secret that Israel and other countries have suffered terror attacks in the past, but for this author the events of September 11, 2001 have introduced the United States into the mix in a way never seen before. Evans considers himself a faithful servant of Israel, so this book takes the position that America must step to the forefront of the war against Islamic fundamentalism and give full and unflagging support to the Jewish nation's struggle against its Arab enemies. "Beyond Iraq" looks to the Bible in order to argue that Saddam Hussein's Iraq is really the reincarnation of ancient Babylon, that evil city which receives so much bad press in the good book. Evans doesn't go so far as to claim that Iraq and the war on terrorism completely fulfill ancient prophesy (he's careful with his predictions), but he does hint from time to time that evidence exists in Revelations and Daniel that could point to unfolding incidents in the deserts of the Middle East that should concern any right thinking Christian. How to deal with this vexing problem? Prayer, the author trumpets throughout the book, is one way to guarantee a victory over the forces of darkness emerging from caves in Afghanistan and from the conference rooms of Arab dictators. Through direct communion with God, Christians around the world can help defeat Al-Qaeda and the other nefarious plots those pesky groups like the P.L.O or Hamas undertake everyday. In fact, we can insure that America's leaders will do the right thing in the Middle East--namely preventing the implementation of the "Road Map" to peace supported by western governments--through constant prayer. This peace plan, the author states, is a grievous insult to Israel because it demands serious land, economic, and political concessions to the Palestinian people. More importantly, the "Road Map" gives tacit support to the terrorists in the P.L.O., a group that Evans sees as still favoring total war against the Jewish state. In a brief history of that organization the author reveals how Yasser Arafat and his followers moved from one Arab country to another, sowing everywhere the seeds of discontent. The Jordanians threw them out after the group engaged in criminal activities that undermined their government. This left the P.L.O. in the loving arms of Syria, except that country didn't want Arafat's gang either so they shipped them off to Lebanon. Evans reveals that the Palestinian terrorists threw Lebanon into complete chaos in the 1970s and 1980s by undermining its fragile Christian/Muslim coalition government and by launching raids into northern Israel. Why, writes Evans, would any government in the world wish to support such an unreconstructed gang of thugs like the P.L.O. with all of this troubling evidence? In his examination of the activities of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, Evans does score a few points. Unfortunately, the author enters dangerous territory when he turns his criticisms into an overarching denunciation of all Muslims. Evans implores us to "wake up to the fact that not all religions are good-some just poise their adherents to kill." I'm really not interested in using this review as a vehicle to attack fundamentalist Christianity, as I sympathize with a few of their ideas even though I am an agnostic, but this statement is just hateful. In fact, Christianity fits this description quite nicely if one looks at its actions over the last thousand years or so. The Crusades? Pogroms against Jews and Muslims? Forced conversions to the Christian faith during the Age of Discovery? The list could go on and on if one looks closely. In a related side note, Evans claims we can understand the Islamic "mindset" when we realize that this faith's belief in determinism (the idea that everything happens in the world according to the will of Allah) is a guiding principle. Well, doesn't fundamentalist Christianity believe the same thing? This book repeatedly underscores the idea that God works in all things. That is why the author urges us to pray because he believes that God takes an active interest in the minutest affairs of mankind. I guess how you look at Islam depends on what side of the pew you sit on (or prayer mat, as the case may be). Do certain elements of Islam seek a fundamentalist solution to their interactions with the West even if that means preaching violence and hatred? Of course, but that doesn't mean we need to whip out the brush and start slapping tar on everyone who believes in Allah or takes a hajj to Mecca. Let's face facts: Christian fundamentalists support Israel because they believe that all Jews will convert to Christianity when the Messiah returns, thereby fulfilling the New Testament. Jews in Israel elicit aid from Christian fundamentalists in the United States because their country needs all the support it can get. I read this book because I enjoy learning about prophecies either secular or religious, but readers who wish to learn more about the war on terrorism, Iraq, Islam, or the Palestinian-Israeli difficulties should probably look beyond this polemical work.
Rating: 
Summary: A signpost to God's Word
Review: I am not a political historian nor am I a religious fanatic but I love the Bible because I love to hear God speak. I have too many daily testimonies to deny that the world's best selling book of all time is living and active and will convict any man or woman who desperately seeks the truth. Mike Evans' heart is for God; he has no axe to grind with anyone, Moslem or otherwise, since Jesus died for ALL without exception. I am always thrilled when someone stands up for God and it matters not how eloquently he may or may not present the truth. As for accuracy, the author is flesh and blood and apt to err like all of us but what he does do without fail is point us to what he believes to be the truth - the Word of God. If the Bible then IS God's Word to the world then surely God Himself is more than able to validate all that is written therein and to vindicate those who live by it? Mike Evans is not attempting to intellectually argue his way to the top of the best-sellers list, he is a man under conviction who cannot help but speak the heart and mind of God. If you want a book that demonstrates unparalleled specialist knowledge on the political struggles of the Middle East, this is probably not the one. If you want a book that is "politically correct" in that it presents the case for all possible peoples concerned with that part of the world so as not to offend any, this is definately not the one. If you're after a book that somehow claims to have the solutions to ancient problems, then dream on. BUT if, for some reason, you should like to know what GOD thinks of the whole situation then this book will give you a glimpse of His mind and then point you to the right source. Yes, I am a Christian and there is, by the way, only ONE kind dear people. So if "fundamentalist" means a refusal to reject anything of what God says in favour of some other possible higher truth, then that's good enough for me! I challenge you to read it and watch what God does.
Rating:
Summary: Best Book on the Mid-East I Have Read
Review: Can't say much more than the title. This is an absorbing book that deals honestly with what is happening and is going to happen after Iraq. Puts Israel and Jerusalem in true perspective to the goings on in the world today! Excellent!
Rating: 
Summary: The basic premise is patently false
Review: In the Bible Ancient Babylon reincarnated on Earth doesnt refer to Iraq the seat of Ancient Babylon, it cant.
Babylon reincarnated is referred to in the bible as having immense wealth and trading all manner of goods with everyone throughout the world. This could in no way describe modern Iraq.
When such a basic fact that is carefully laid out in revelations is ignored, one can only come to one conclusion: the author is either incredibly unintelligent or simply enjoys deceiving. The book shows a great contempt for its audience.
Don't buy this book out of morbid curiosity, its garbage.
Rating:
Summary: Telling It Like It Is
Review: An excellent discussion of why the peace plan for Israel will not work. Quite a revelation on prophecy in the Middle East. I learned a lot.
Rating:
Summary: A book from the most televised Christan this year is a must
Review: This book gives one a passion to pray and wake from the American Christian slumber that keeps us from affecting the heavenly battles. Satan is diligently at work in the world. What are his tactics and who is he using whether they realize it or not? Read and determine for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Someone Is Finally Telling The Truth
Review: Mike Evans is one of only a handfull of authors telling us the complete truth about the war on terrorism and "The Road Map to Peace." He clearly shows why we cannot ever negotiate with radical terrorists whose lives are based on nothing but pure hatred; hatred for Israel, for America, and for anyone who does not embrace radical Islam. If they would read it, I would send copies of this book to President Bush and his very misguided advisor, Secretary of State Colin Powell. What has happened and is continuing to happen in Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel, America, and around the world is just the tip of the iceberg. The fundamentalist Muslims will stop at nothing until they are either completely defeated or completely successful in conquering the free world. They will die for their cause, just as the Japanese kamikaze pilots died in WWII. Mike Evans made me realize that the war on terrorism is the most important one ever fought in the history of this earth!
Rating:
Summary: Honesty at Last
Review: If you want pure raw truth, you need this book. This book follows the Bible and its prophecies to the letter: Explaining the events of the day and the future!
Rating:
Summary: Beyond Iraq
Review: This explains about the Road Map peace plan. It is a must reading for all in order to understand that this plan is not best for Israel. I highly recommend this to all. Please read.
Rating:
Summary: Simple tricks and nonsense...
Review: If you're the type that subscribes to the latest Christian "end times" doom and gloom nonsense, then you'll probably enjoy this book. If you're looking for a scholarly approach to modern social and political events, then look elsewhere. If you read enough of these reviews, you'll note that the only people praising this book are fundamentalist Christians. Every end time prophecy in recorded history (and there have been thousands of them) has come and gone - so will this one.
| 
