Rating: 
Summary: Great for action lovers
Review: This is my favorite series. I started reading them in July, 2000. I love action books, and I'm a big reader. It really opened my eyes to the Christian faith, and it made me use my imagination to its wildest limits. I started out reading book number 4, because I was bored, and had nothing else to read. I liked it so much, I checked out number 5. I am reading number 7 right now, and I can't put it down. I'll tell you something else...I'm only 13 years old, if that will prove anything.
Rating:
Summary: Wake up call!
Review: There is something for everyone in this book. I couldn't read fast enough and have just started the second in the series with great anticipation. The subject matter is one that most everyone has heard of and it's left up to the reader to make his/her own decisions about their faith (or lack thereof). Definitely well spent time reading this one!
Rating:
Summary: The best book next to the "Good Book"
Review: I had put off reading the Left Behind series, because I figured it was just a fad. Everyone in my church seemed to be reading these books. Finally, I gave in and bought a copy to see what the fuss is about. WOW! I was addicted, I have now read all 7 books and am eagerly awaiting the 8th book (The Mark, due out in November.) Anyone who wants to get a stronger grasp on the prophecies in Revelations should read this series. It totally rocks :-)
Rating: 
Summary: Only for members of the club
Review: I picked up this book looking for something that might be fun, even knowing that it probably wouldn't jive with what I believe. But, this book is so inconsequential. There is no substance. The characters are so disconnected from their own experiences and the events around them, their emotions and actions seem pasted on. And the details are non-existent. I think the only people that will enjoy reading this book, or this apparently endless series, will be those who currently believe exactly as the authors do and are seeking capitulation, even if its fictional. This leaves me feeling quite cynical about the authors. They seem to know that there is an audience for this type of material. They'll hit the circuit of televised evangelism and make big money. But, I don't really believe that. The authors have written other books, particularly LaHaye, offering religion based advice on the subjects of married life, family life and mental illness (depression). And I think they want to carry on a ministry in this sort of writing.I'd like to review this book on something other than it's tight fisted religious agenda but, there really is nothing else. I suggest that anyone considering reading this book, first look through a number of these on-line reviews. People in Ministry give many of the lowest ratings, as well as devout lay people and avid fiction readers. I was raised as a Protestant but, I'm completely lost when I read reviews that say this book will inspire people, or make them reevaluate their life. Religious experience is non-existent, the characters are cold and calculating as if they want to make the right deal with God. The basis for salvation is spelled out, not too clearly, by the character Rayford Steele's wife's new found religion and by subsequent events in the book, not exactly a basis for a new, inspired look at life. If you don't buy the concept of redemption as being disappeared out of your clothes and attending funerals where the corpse disappears don't look for anything to sway you in this story. Or, for cripees sake any kind of evidence of "research". It is really quite comical that a woman on the airplane at the beginning of the book says something like, please find my husband and give him a blanket, he's a religious person and will be embarrassed if he's seen naked. Oh, brother. He's just disappeared out of his clothes, wherever he went, he went in the flesh and naked, too. So, if you're a member of the club and want to believe as the authors do you'll enjoy this book. If you're not you'll be bored.
Rating: 
Summary: This one shows the potential of the series...
Review: ...but I'm still waiting. I'm currently reading the fifth book in the series, while the sixth installment awaits, and I have to say as a writer that I'm quite unimpressed. The characters have as yet to be developed very well, the plot is sometimes difficult to follow, and the general writing skills shown by the authors don't make me want to read any of their other works. So why do I continue to check the books out at the library? So that A) the authors don't get any of my money, and B) I can see what happens next. I'm actually interested in the storyline! I guess that's saying something... After reading the second and third books, it was clear to me that the authors actually put forth effort into this first title. After that, the quality steadily declined, until now it seems that they just hold an envelope to their backsides before sending it off to the pubisher. Pure drivel. But considering that a new book is due every six months, I guess I shouldn't be expecting worthwhile writing. There isn't enough time between installments to write AND revise the work. I've found the interpretation of the apocolyptic prophecies to be plausible, and allowing for future technological developments. However, the writing is what gets me. The male characters are either egotistical or lack any semblance of common sense; the women are frail and helpless, or...well, cranky; several of the events are either described in less than suspensful detail or briefly mentioned, making me flip back a couple pages to see what I'd missed; current politics are preached FAR too often (should the woman carrying the child of the antichrist have an abortion? Who cares if the characters are pro-life or pro-choice -- this is the child of the *antichrist*! Make that an *issue*, not a comment made in passing!); the characterization is extremely dry, especially when they attempt humor; ethics and morals are discussed at the most inappropriate times, especially when the survival insticts should be kicking in; and information is repeated far too often, as though we the Readers have no short term memory -- it comes off more as filler than necessary recapping. I spent nearly 30 years as a Christian, and did a lot of studying during that time, including research into the *history* of the religion (what the authors apparently don't want anyone to know). I've found many aspects of the story to be offensive, not because they're insulting, but because they're written from a biased or bigoted viewpoint. It makes me wonder if the authors have done any research OTHER than biblical... It saddens me to see that people are actually *believing* that this is what will happen. If this series wasn't meant to be speculative fiction, it wouldn't be in the "Fiction" aisles. Unfortunately, I'm seeing the reason why there are so many misconceptions in these books -- too many people are believing what they're hearing without thinking for themselves. The more of these I read (while trying to just enjoy the storyline), the more I begin to see the authors in the same light as they present Nicholae Carpethia. I don't think I can continue reading...the authors have stopped making sense, and instead sold out. I believe they've sold out because I don't see any other explanation for a book every six months, and another series devoted to young adults at the same time. The writing talent has been spread far too thin...
Rating:
Summary: Left Behind.......Lives Up To The Hype!
Review: Just about everyone I know has read or is reading this series of books. I kept saying I didn't think I would enjoy it, because I am not a church goer, and I am embarrassed to say, I don't know ANYTHING about the Bible. I finally gave in and borrowed a friend's copy of Left Behind. Halfway through I was begging her to bring me the other books in the series! Left Behind is easy to understand and very self explanatory about Rapture. I feel I am learning a part of the Bible in a fun and interesting way. I feel that this book has changed me in a way. I'm already relaying the book to my husband and telling him we really need to consider starting church. Left Behind is great and I'm so excited to start the next books!
Rating:
Summary: Interesting plotline ruined by excessive preaching
Review: I am not a Christian. I haven't been a Christian since I was 15, nor do I want to return to that mindset. So why am I reading this book? Vicarious thrills, the Jack T. Chick "you're all going to Hell" fun, reconfirmation as to why I'm not a Christian, and most of all the story is a modern adaption of the Book of Revelations which was always a whacky little book when I was younger. I don't know if it's worth it. For every decent scene (cars blowing up, people disappearing, the anti-CHrist charming everyone, fire from Heaven, etc.) there are about a half dozen scenes of people sitting around preaching the fundamentalist Gospel, having internal monologues with themselves as to why they never decided to become truly Christian until after everyone disappeared, and waiting for someone else to come along so that they can preach. If I was a fundamentalist Christian I imagine this all might thrill me like a pep fest thrills football players, but since I am not a Christian (nor much for pep fests, but that's another story) I just try to figure out how much I can skim without missing any important plot elements. The story is not bad but the filler is deadly dull and if the reviews of the next few books are any indication, it never gets any better. Other things in the book that irritate me - The SuperMagical formula to make Israel bloom - one character explains that you cna irrigate Israel but then you are just making the sand wet. Desert land is the MOST FERTILE land in the world. Because nothing grows in desert land all the nutrients are in the ground. religious Jews, NO Orthodox Jews - Get it? Jews who aren't falling all over themselves to become Christian can't be considered religious. I know it's just CHristian chauvanism that declares that it is the only religion and everyone else is a secret Satan worshipper, but it irks me. Ray Steele - whine whine whine! We got it, you didn't accept Jesus as your personal lord and savior. Boohoo. That's good for a page, maybe two, but not half of the 400 page book. Hattie Durham and other characters relations to her - I know that she's the only one who isn't "saved" as of book 7, but maybe that's because no one talks to this woman unless they want to save her soul or have sex with her. Besides that she's just the wimpering crying girl. The "debates" - someone puts up an argument. Someone else gives Christian doctrine. They go on, but it's pointless because you know that the arguing party is just going to agree and go along with it. This is of course the part of the book that the authors want us to read because they think that they are engaging in apologetics of the highest order. They are engaging in dullness of the lowest order. I recommend borrowing this book or buying it cheap and the skimming it. OTher Christian literature uses Christian ideaology to create something interesting and thought-provoking - Dante, C.S. Lewis, Milton, etc.. However, most Christian literature is an excuse for the author to make that "join my club" appeal over and over and over again. This book is an example of the latter. (Note = I still plan on reading the next two books because the plot is intriguing enough, but I doubt that they will get any better.)
Rating: 
Summary: Pleasantly Surprised
Review: I was given a copy of this book to read by my sister and I was skeptical whether I would be interested in this type of material. Once I got into the story I had a hard time putting it down. Although the book is fiction I felt that part of the information contain inside explained some things to me that I had not understood before.
Rating:
Summary: Christians beware
Review: As a Christian I decided that a Christian theme book would be an interesting read. However, I've been greatly disappointed in the entire series. I've gotten to Nicolae, and can't get through it. Most disturbing I've found subtly woven attacks on Catholics and a direct attack on the nature of the main Jewish character introduced early in the book. When the Jewish man tries to convince the reporter to pay for his time, his cabfare, etc....come on.....why doesn't the book just be racist and call him a "cheap Jew?" I'm not Jewish and I found this highly disturbing. Beware true Christians. Christian's don't weave hatred for others into their lives or their writings. Besides, do you think God would be happy having two authors write a book based on Revelations, where the Anti-Christ is patterned after Dracula, and is dating a flight attendant? Give me a break. Everyone, back to your faith!
Rating:
Summary: An interesting beginning...
Review: People vanish from a 747 aloft, babies disappear from their mothers' wombs, drivers from their cars, causing widespread panic on earth. As I read more, this book became a thinly couched venue for arrogant fundemantalist Christian rhetoric. God will not save you unless you believe in Christ and his teachings. Primitive writing and a repetitive plot, I can't imagine reading all 12 tomes. Rapture indeed. I'll end up here on earth; a Roman Catholic with all the rest of the Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, etc. The world might be a better place.
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