Rating: Summary: A "Concerned" catholic Review: I enjoyed the first two books of these series. They were suspenseful, and did hold my interest. What I did not get, however, were the "digs" the authors had to make to the Catholic church. I thought this was unnecessary, and defeated the purpose of a "Christian" book. Catholics beware when reading these books that "fundamentalists" take the bible literally. Too bad the authors had to slip in their views of "orthodox" Catholics, they would have done very well with Catholics who are looking for some good, clean mystery-sci-fi type of books.
Rating: Summary: Though provoking Review: Whether you're a christian or not, this book provides plenty of material to ask yourself the question, " Am I prepared?" We all have choices in our lives, and "Left Behind" clearly underlines that with its mind stimulating story line. I thoroughly enjoyed the book for its suspenseful plot and provocative writing style.
Rating: Summary: Left Behind Review: My sister started me on the Left Behind series. I bought the first book, started reading it, and then bought the movie. The book is so much better. I grew up knowing about the end times or the Rapture, but always feared it. LaHaye and Jenkins have made it something to look forward to, not to fear. Everything is documented in the Bible. This series is a work of fiction based on the Bible, specifically the Book of Revelations. It is a quick read, you can't wait to get to the end of the first book and start on the second. I have read all eight books in the series and can't wait for number nine in October.
Rating: Summary: Eye Opener Review: I thought this book was pretty true to the Bible and what we are in for in the future. If you are offended by the truth, do not read. It hit close to home with me, and I hope it does the same for you. Sometimes we all need an eye opener to snap us back to reality that we're not immortal and there's only 1 of 2 places to go when we die, and what are we doing about it today.
Rating: Summary: The beginning of the end... Review: A dramatically written series that has touched millions world wide, the Left Behind saga is a story that tries (and in my opinion, accomplishes) to set up the Biblical version of the End Times, which is largly found in relevations. The characters in this book all come from very diverse backgrounds, but are brought together through the power of God, to try to live as a community of fugitives. By reading this book, you almost feel as if you are experiencing the characters' pain, so great is the writing here. This, hands down, is the best End Times series I have ever read, and perhaps the best Christian Series as well. Your faith with God will be nothing but stregnthened by this book, and I implore you to give it a chance!!!
Rating: Summary: Not Great but not Bad, interesting and entertaining Review: Funny but reading all these reviews, people either love or hate these books. I think they're simply entertaining, like one long Tom Clancy. The first one got me hooked, the second was a real dog, but the third and fourth have turned out pretty good. I'll be grabbing the 5th by the end of the week. BUT, don't get all hung up on the religious bend, its interesting but its just a piece of fiction. That these guys decided to use material from the bible is clever. Read it, hate it or enjoy it, but go to the bible if this story influences you in any way. Or better yet, talk to clergy about this stuff if it bothers you. The action and plots are pretty good but the female characters are pathetically weak (but its two male writers so no surprise there) and sometimes the events go from really slow to super speed. Something will last 24 hours and take up six chapters and then six months of stuff will happen in two pages. Its definitely jerky in its overall pace. I'm catholic but not overly religious. Curiosity regarding whats going to happen next keeps me buying the books, its like an ongoing soap opera.
Rating: Summary: Awful - awful - awful Review: I can't describe, in the space allotted, how truly awful this book is. If you're a reader, than this book will burn your brain through its sheer badness. Diction, character development, plot...awful, awful, awful. If you're into it for the theology, you should know that the "pre-trib" Rapture scenario is a modern myth devised by a schismatic Fundamentalist sect in the early 1900s, and is completely foreign to historical Baptist, Reformed, and other Christian traditions. (2 Thess. pretty much rules out the possibility of a pre-trib rapture, if you need a Scripture reference.) An awful book. Awful.
Rating: Summary: Lighten Up!!! Review: I am an avid reader who generally reads Stephen King, Kootz, etc., and while I am saved, I admittedly have not lived my life according to the "word" for some time. The series, while I admit is not very well written, has been a tremendous help for me. It has taught me a great deal about the Bible in such a way that I want to learn more. As far as accuracy, it's pretty obvious that there hundreds of interpretations, so lighten up, this is Lahaye and Jenkins' interpretation - the most accepted interpretation being King James'. For the "Christian on the Fence" I think it's a great learning tool and can guide you in the direction of Christ, which hopefully is the authors' goal. Since I began this series I have I probably wouldn't recommend this series to a devout Christian since they undoubtedly have their own interpretations of Revelations; however, it may make a world of difference. READ ON!!!!
Rating: Summary: Be prepared Review: You'll either like it or you'll hate it. No middle ground here (no pun intended). But be prepared because, if you like it, there are A BUNCH more. To be honest, neither my husband or I care much about the Rapture. We don't spend any time thinking about it. Still, we both read this one book and ended up - within a very short period of time- buying all of the available books and reading them. And we try to get our friends to read them. Not to convert them, but because it is a very enjoyable book .. um, series of books. It is a very easy to read book, written probably on a fifth or sixth grade level (made for a broad market, obviously). It is primarily action based and the emotional bonds of the characters are thin and unrealistic - at least where I live. Our culture is way beyond describing a relationship as getting to a hand holding stage over the course of several weeks. So, what? It's not a romance. The action usually keeps a good pace and I really enjoyed reading the whole series (that's in print). You either will or you won't. But be prepared if you do ... there's many many more after this one.
Rating: Summary: I'm left behind Review: As a conservative Christian who takes prophecy pretty seriously, I was disappointed that Jenkins and LaHaye didn't take enough time to explain in depth the Bible evidence for the rapture theory. Perhaps they were preaching to the choir but it left behind those of us who are unfamiliar with or disagree with their concept of the end times. Aside from 2 or 3 actual scripture references or allusions we simply have to take their word for it. They had plenty of opportunity even in a novel to let the Bible speak for itself without slowing down their plot.
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