Armageddon (Left Behind #11)

Rating:
Summary: It's NOT the original manuscript but....
Review: "I didn't see the movie"... but I did read the original manuscript and the Left Behind series is much the same as watching an old movie "re-make" of the scriptural account of the Rapture, Tribulation, and the Second Coming as foretold in the book of Revelation, and other books of the Bible. It necessarily calls for interpretative license with both characters and plot. Prophets of old looked across a mountain range of time trying to explain what they saw. The authors' interpretation of these accounts into present day images and word pictures has been a pleasant respite. I consider it "light" reading. However, as an avid reader (5-10 books per month for entertainment purposes plus professional journals and studies) I would have to concede that this series has dragged a bit in spots, and this book in particular...but since I know how it all ends I don't find myself too impatient with it.(tend to read quickly thru or past it) The characters seem a little less developed in sections but, considering the circumstances they're in, projecting "how" they should respond and what part of their personalities could be deemed "artificial" is not something that would deter me from buying the next book in the series when it comes out. For me, these characters are the "remnants" struggling with a new faith....and REALLY weird circumstances in unchartered territory...talk about a learning curve! It did not surprise me that they migrated back to previous or weak coping patterns and personality traits. I just imagine what I would cling to in the same circumstances. Guess I have to take a hard look at why I'm reading it...I like the story line, the characters, and the way my mind engages and visualizes what is, in my estimation, a well delivered "story" derived from what I consider factual research.

Rating:
Summary: Armageddon
Review: "Armageddon" picks up the pace in the "Left Behind" series. The middle books tended to be slow, and this one is full of action. My reaction? To be honest, several parts of the book I had to just put down. As a loyal fan, it made me mad! How could they kill of people now, almost at the end? Then I realized that I was on the edge of my seat. Then, there was the cliffhanger ending. Now we have to wait until Glorious Appearing!

Rating:
Summary: I have read eleven books; do I want to read the last one?
Review: .
If you have not read this book, please do not spoil your enjoyment by reading my review. My opinions may reveal details and events that await your own journey through this book.
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The slow start of this novel picked up about mid-way through. From there it was a page-turner filled with surprises that equal those of powerhouse writers: Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, Clive Cussler, Stephen King, et al.

One of the aspects that I enjoyed was the build up for the war at Armageddon. I often wondered how so many people would gather on the planes for this battle, and who they would be. These novels provided insight for me that made a lot of sense.

As prophesied in the Book of Revelations, many will die during the End Times, and the ones they love will mourn them. However, in a novel, particularly a series, it is imprudent to destroy all of the protagonists before the series ends. Imagine Lord of the Rings without Frodo Baggins, or Star Wars (4-6) without Luke Skywalker and Han Solo? Where would the entire series be without Darth Vader? Removing the main characters, in my opinion, is very poor writing that can bring about the loss of readers.

Even though these are Christian novels about the end of the world, they character driven. Through eleven books, I have grown to know and care about these characters as people not simply protagonists, etc., on pages in books, what is the hook to keep me reading now?

Although from Book One (Left Behind) forward, we knew that the death of the Tribulation Forces could happen, I did not think the main characters would cease to exist before the series concluded. These deaths ended the chronicles for me. I thought I would wait in avid anticipation for book twelve, but that is not the case. This book should have been it.

Another problem is viewing the deaths of the four through a narrator's eyes. A basic principle of good writing is to show not tell. I would rather experience at least one of the main characters making it through to the Glorious Appearing and be able to show his emotions at each death, and the mighty coming of God's Armies. This would make me want to read the next book.

Many characters dominated the latter books of this series, but the strength of their continuity required their connections to the main characters. However, there were too many individuals to whom to build any emotional connections. Right now, I can tell you who died, but not who lived to see the end. I do not care.

Book Twelve must drift more into the author's own speculations than scriptures. John the Revelator and other Biblical prophets told us that the Armies of God descend from the clouds in heaven and save Jerusalem. Satan will be bound for 1000 years, and then given freedom for a short time among men. This is, I assume, the ultimate plot of book twelve.

Since I am a believer, this series does not stretch credibility for me. Many coincidences fill the books, but many philosophers do not believe in coincidence, and I agree with them, thus I can easily accept the connections between all of these individuals and events. Therefore, even though I found this book to be of a lesser quality than the previous books, it is still worth three stars to me.

Victoria Tarrani


Rating:
Summary: Better than people give it credit for
Review: A lot of the reviews I have read of these books tend to put it down by comparing it to other end of the world books. And while I will admit that these are not as smart or engaging as some of the the better books that cover the same topic like Fire of Heaven or We All Fall Down, I still really enjoyed them. A friend introduced me to the first book and I cut through all 12 books over the past two months. In a way, it's not really fair to compare them to some of the other books because they are trying to do different things. Left Behind seems to me to try to simply tell a great story about the end of the world. It's light, but what's wrong with that? I really felt like I NEEDED to know what was going to happen next when I finished a book and the very next day would order the next one. I call that a success. A book like We All Fall Down is obviously much more intense and thoughtful, the characters seem much more like real people, and it gives you more to think about, but why does that make Left Behind bad? Can't The Ten Commandments and The Passion both be good movies?

Rating:
Summary: Better than people give it credit for
Review: A lot of the reviews I have read of these books tend to put it down by comparing it to other end of the world books. And while I will admit that these are not as smart or engaging as some of the the better books that cover the same topic like Fire of Heaven or We All Fall Down, I still really enjoyed them. A friend introduced me to the first book and I cut through all 12 books over the past two months. In a way, it's not really fair to compare them to some of the other books because they are trying to do different things. Left Behind seems to me to try to simply tell a great story about the end of the world. It's light, but what's wrong with that? I really felt like I NEEDED to know what was going to happen next when I finished a book and the very next day would order the next one. I call that a success. A book like We All Fall Down is obviously much more intense and thoughtful, the characters seem much more like real people, and it gives you more to think about, but why does that make Left Behind bad? Can't The Ten Commandments and The Passion both be good movies?

Rating:
Summary: Review of Armageddon
Review: A Review of "Armageddon" by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins
As a fan of the entire Left Behind series of books, I thought that "Armageddon," the eleventh book of the series was well written. The authors maintained the suspense level found in the other books of the series, which made it easy for the reader to stay interested. On the other hand, I must confess to a small degree of disappointment in the book. The authors seem to be a little uncertain where to take some of the characters as they prepare for the twelfth and final book of the series. It almost seems as if they have run out of ideas for individual characters, so they found that the easiest thing to do would be to kill them off.
For the characters, emotions are running very high as they anticipate the Battle of Armageddon, which will be the final event of human history before the return of Jesus to begin His reign on Earth. Many of the characters allow their emotions to get the best of them, which leads to quite a few intense situations during the course of the book. Chloe wanders away from the Tribulation Force's bunker, which becomes a cause for great concern, not only for her, but for the entire Tribulation Force. Albie finds himself dealing with an old acquaintance, hoping that his loyalties have not changed.
There was a very light moment towards the beginning of the book in which Rayford, taking advantage of the darkness, goes to New Babylon to retrieve Chang and, during a briefing being held by Potentate Nicolae Carpathia, is able to have a little bit of fun at the Potentate's expense. Nicolae did not enjoy it a bit, and it was fun to see the character portrayed as the Antichrist taken down a notch or two.
My favorite character is Rabbi Tsion Ben-Judah, who is the writers' tool to share the Biblical prophecies with their readers. Even though I have read these Scriptures many times myself, I find myself more excited as I picture the words being preached by Tsion. Not only have the writers made him an inspiration on a spiritual level. He is a man to be looked up to because he is not content to merely preach, but also wants to join in on the work, including taking up a weapon and participating in the final battle.
As the days for the battle draw near, the writers are able to hold the reader on the edge of his seat. There is very little imagery in this book. The writers instead choose to keep the action nonstop, using the descriptions of the action in the story to place the pictures in the reader's mind. They do this very well.
The writers inject humor at the right moments to help break some of the tension that is taking place in the action. At one point, with bullets flying all around, Tsion, passing the healing pool of Bethesda, says to Buck, "I was not hit, Cameron! No need for healing!" The only thing Buck can think at this point is "Millimeters from death and the rabbi jokes."
The book does a good job of clarifying the Biblical prophecies of the last days. Even if you think the language of the book of Revelation is figurative rather than literal, you will enjoy seeing these events unfold.

Rating:
Summary: I don't know.
Review: At first, I thought this book was a little bit like blasphemy. For a while I thought that it was God's job to explain how armageddon will happen, and not LaHaye and Jenkin's job. But then I found out from Jenkin's School of Prophecy that it isn't false prophecy if your novels are based on the word of God and if you use Jesus' name a lot.

Rating:
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.


Rating:
Summary: A failure
Review: I am an ardent believer in Christ, but that does not mean that anything written about Christianity should be endorsed and embraced regardless of its quality. I have read all 12 of these novels and they simply aren't very good. The writing is poor, the plot unimaginative, and there certainly isn't anything in these books that will cause a Christian to re-examine and thus more fully embrace our beliefs. Look, I don't doubt that the authors had the best intentions with these books, but quality has to count for something. There are better alternatives out there. Try We All Fall Down by Caldwell. It's well-written and extreimly intelligent. If you're going to read about Christianity, read something that is worth your time.

Rating:
Summary: Best book since the first one.
Review: I flew through the first 250 pages in I think about 3 days. LOVE the Left Behind series, this book has me excited about being a Christian again! This book was very hard for me to put down.

Non-Stop action like and good Clancy book, plenty of Biblical references for those that doubt God's love for them. Grateful I don't have to wait a year like other readers for the Glorious Appearing to come out, I picked up the series at the right time.

Do I sound like a Bible thumper yet, apologize if I do, but don't mind being called a Jesus Freak either...

Odd how this series grew on me, even from the beginning of the series I said to myself "Great I get to red Christian related stuff -like reading the bible without having to read the Bible." Enjoying the Word of God w/o having to REALLY read His Words... Now that I'm almost through with the series I almost look forward to reading the Bible...