Rating: 
Summary: Very Bad Representation of Christianity
Review: I recently converted to Christianity from agnosticism. I decided to read the Left Behind Series after a friend recommended them to me as "the most monumental happening in Christian fiction ever." I picked up the first book, Left Behind, and read it. I am rather taken aback by the fact that it is so poorly written. The main flaw is that the writing is for 5th graders. But above and beyond that is the transparent plot, which is laced with silly boy meets girl happenings. Now I am all for that sort of thing when it is appropriate, BUT THESE ARE NOVELS ABOUT THE ENDTIMES. SHOULD I CARE IF CHLOE LOVES SOME ROGUE AUTHOR??? Also, I fully disapprove of the choice of protagonists. It seems that they are all white Anglo-saxon Protestants. Why couldn't Rayford Steele be Rayford Clemente? Or Buck Williams be Bolko Stanikowski? Well, from what I can tell the author seems to have a distinct bias against Eastern-Europeans. This book is, however, better the Larry Burkett's stinker, Illuminati (which was an oddysse of ignorance). Overall, I have been disappointed with the quality of most Christian fiction I have read. If possible, could anyone out there email me the name of something better (kingsnookiebear@yahoo.com).
Rating: 
Summary: Nothing left to say
Review: Left Behind chronciles the beginning of the end of the World in the eyes of two skeptics turned believers (Richard Steele, airline pilot, and Buck Williams, magazine writer). I am in no position to debate the religious accuracy of the authors' interpretation of the Rapture. Although I am God-fearing, I am not a practicing member of any religious establishment. From a literary perspective, I believe this to be a solid work as it lays the ground work of the books in the series that follows. The plot was solid and the ending well done. Yes, this is a work of Christian fiction, and those on the intellectual establishment are likely to be offended by the authors dissing of its point of view. Yet, that's probably precisely why this series is so popular. Religion is more an influence in Americans lives than the left would like us to believe.
Rating: 
Summary: Left Behind Through The Mark
Review: I've read all of the books through The Mark. As a Christian reading these books, I'm torn at what's a fair rating. Artistically, I'm not that impressed with the writing style. I found it hard to identify with any of the characters. The child-like behavior didn't convince me that these people were taking their situation seriously. Taking 8 books to reach the mid point of the tribulation was a bit much. This could have been accomplished with 3 books. Now I read there will be 12 books total for the entire "Left Behind" series. My recommendation...read this series if you're fascinated with end times bible prophecy...otherwise stay away.
Rating: 
Summary: Not What Bible Teaches About the End
Review: Unfortunately, this kind of book sells so well because Americans are Biblically illiterate. The premillenial dispensationalism which backs it up does not square with what Holy Scripture teaches. Oh, those who make a living teaching it on TV with their charts and analyses of current events can point to Bible passages. End times requires one to understand all of God's Word, not just one verse from Revelation 20. One must come to grips with how OT prophecy is fulfilled, and what is meant by "true Israel" both in the Old and New Testaments. For an accurate review of this book, see www.lcms.org.office of the president, "The 'Left Behind' View is Out of Left Field." For both sides of the interpretation issue, see Charles Ryrie, "Dispensationalism Today," opposed directly by Hans LaRondelle in "The Israel of God in Prophecy."
Rating:
Summary: Mediocre, but entertaining
Review: This series' success saddens me - is it right that Christians should be satisfied with such obvious mediocrity? As followers of Christ we should do all to the best of our ability, and this series falls far short of the excellence that the authors ought to have striven for. While the theology is good and the Gospel is presented clearly, the writing is so bad that I feel guilty recommending this series to friends. There are some obvious flaws in the story also (do they honestly expect us to believe that all 12-year-olds will be included in the rapture?), although I admit the stories are very well thought-out and the characters are endearing in spite of their shallowness. I think this series could have been excellent if the authors had taken the time to write them well and given us good literature. However, they are indeed entertaining, and I somewhat sheepishly admit that I have enjoyed the brainless distraction they have given me. But perhaps the most disturbing aspect of it all is making entertainment out of the tribulation - a thing not remotely entertaining, and not to be made light of. I still wonder if God approves.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Book but not the best in the series.
Review: This book is hard to get started on but once you get past the first half it goes pretty fast. It starts out with the rapture and every thing follows from there. It really is a foundation for the rest of the series. Starting with tragidy and ending with suspence. this book will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Rating:
Summary: This book takes you on a real faith journey!
Review: Left Behind is a novel by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins. I really enjoyed reading this book, and can understand why it is a best seller. For all Christians who are strong in their faith, I would recommend reading this book. In this fiction book the theme is about the rapture, and this novel reveals how the world will end. Rayford Steele, a pilot, is flying one day and comes to the realization that half of his crew is gone. They are gone but all their valuables and clothes are still there like they just disappeared. How can this be? Is it God? Is it Nature? He has to try to make sense of what is going on while he is home. Can he still be saved? Can he figure out what is going on? This marvelous book takes the reader on a journey with many twists and turns. I would encourage people to read this to get some idea of the authors theory of what will happen to all mankind at the time of the rapture.
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Summary: Christ Clone Trilogy is SO MUCH BETTER!!
Review: I stopped reading this series after #4 (Soul Harvest). I kept reading Left Behind hoping it would get better. It didn't. I also read (actually started reading) We All Fall Down, but there the foul language was SO EXCESSIVE I couldn't keep going. Finally I read the books of The Christ Clone Trilogy (why do I feel like Goldilocks here?) and it was "just right!" Actually it was GREAT! So if you're tired of Buck and Rayford playing James Bond, and all the females in the LB world cooing, have a look at The Christ Clone Trilogy.
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Summary: Left Behind Review
Review: Left Behind,
A Novel of the Earth's Last Days
Left Behind is a captivating interpretation of the Christian view of the end of the world. The storyline is easy to follow as it tells of two people, Rayford Steele, an airline pilot, who comes home after the disaster to find that his wife and son are among the missing and Buck Williams, a famous magazine journalist, who sees the disappearances as an opportunity for a great story. These two characters' stories eventually intertwine as they go through emotional and spiritual changes leading them to Christianity. The story follows a biblical theme showing how a chain of events predicted in the Bible happen and how more are to follow including the disappearances of Christians and the rise of Nicolae Carpathia, the Anti-Christ. Most of the characters are well-developed and believable, facing many issues in their lives though they all seem to play too much of a role in the fate of the world, especially Buck. The story's strong point is that you don't have to be very knowledgeable about the Bible in order to understand what is going on because the characters explain things as you go along. The plot of the story is interpretive, making you think and wonder if the book will someday come true. This gives the book a mysterious sense and it will keep most any reader captivated. This book is easy to read and most readers would find it so interesting they won't be able to put it down until they're done. I would recommend Left Behind for anyone.
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Summary: LEFT BEHIND SUCCEEDS ON ITS TERMS
Review: As a mystery author with my debut novel in its initial release, I do my best to read widely to learn which books work and which books don't. If a book doesn't succeed, I won't bother to review it. There are enough anonymous critics who get their kicks panning books while they keep themselves securely hidden namelessly in cyberspace. LEFT BEHIND succeeds on its terms. It tells its tale from a evangelical perspective. It doesn't pretend to be doing anything else. LEFT BEHIND reads well, and its characters are interesting. Personally, I am very grateful for this series because reading these books helped my second son through a difficult phase of his teenaged life. He graduated from high school as a National Merit Scholar and will soon be returning from college to escort his girlfriend, the young lady who gave him LEFT BEHIND as a Christmas gift, to their homeoming dance. LEFT BEHIND works, especially on its own terms.
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