Left Behind (Left Behind #1)

Rating:
Summary: If I Wanted Proselytizing I Would Have Joined The Church
Review: When I look for a book within a certain genre, I try to respect the reviews, interpret the bestseller status, and as a final test read the synopsis. I feel that this book's authors (and its promoters) have resorted to a cheap brand of "bait and switch" in order to sell books. A thriller should be just that - not a crossover into religious preaching. I have to agree with the previous review: the potential for great storytelling gets bogged down by blatant attempts to proselytize. "Gee, maybe that church thing and God and religion, I took all wrong. Let me stroll on down to church and join up." Please! I take my religious beliefs too seriously to be so loose about them.

I tried to read this book. I really did. My first warning should have been that this was on the "Religion" shelf instead of "Fiction." I give it one star because I somehow managed to make it to page 80.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Book No Matter Your Favorite Genre...
Review: A colleague suggested this series, and I have become enthralled, not being able to tear myself away for long. This novel is well researched and well written: its easy-to-understand explanation of the Book of Revelations is wonderfully woven into a captivating story of developed characters with whom anyone can identify.

In recommending the book to family and friends, I have marveled at the fact that it is written for any adult comprehension level, offering cues to remember the varied characters and keeping unnecessary "buck-and-a-quarter-words" to a minimum, yet painting intricate illustrations for one's mind so clear you feel you are among the characters (I read the first half of this book during a long car ride, and in pausing occasionally to catch my breath, I had to remind myself of where I was).

This story offers elements to attract readers from any genre; religious, sci-fi, political, action and adventure, suspense thriller, and romance readers alike will find this an interesting read. Moreover, it has touched my life, causing me to reevaluate my priorities. I plan to purchase several copies to distribute among those closest to me. I would suggest everyone read it!

Rating:
Summary: Great book - For any person from any religion!
Review: You don't have to be Christian to read this book. The action and futuristic fiction is great. Read it!

Rating:
Summary: Left Behind (Left Behind #1)
Review: A must read! Teffific novel -- kept my mind whirring through the entire read. Everyone should read this book. It is an eye-opener for anyone, no matter where they are with their spirituality.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty bad writing
Review: I've always been interested in books and movies that focus on Revelations (easily the most over interpreted book in the Bible). I had high hopes for this one, but it was a letdown. The fact that it is featured prominently in Christian bookstores should be a big indicator that the authors have an axe to grind, and they do so with very limited ability at writing compelling fiction. The characters are stilted and unbelievable - you develop not the slightest empathy for them. The dialogue is just as bad. The book caters to those who believe in Revelation literally rather than as a possible allegory. They should love this book - I did not.

Rating:
Summary: Fast paced and hard to put down.
Review: This is a very interesting look at what could happen at the "end of the world". It makes you think twice about what I believe in and where my values lie. A friend recommend this after she recommended The Alchemist. Great book, I'm hooked and I will definitely read the whole series!

Rating:
Summary: The first is okay--the rest are wonderful.
Review: Okay--first of all, these books are meant to be fun, but inspiration as well. For those who did not like it, fine. But, I too found the first book a little dull. After reading the next two or so, I found myself going without food or coming out of my room because I could not put them down. My advice for those you did not like the first one, is to suffer through it and try the next one. If you are still not interested, okay. I could write about how they changed my life (and I am trying), but it is much more important that I tell you to keep trying. They get better, and better. Don't choose just "one" book by its cover.

God be with you.

Rating:
Summary: You could have warned me it was a Bible study book
Review: I though I would get a good "literary" novel - one that you would really like reading late at night... but oh s*** it was a Bible study. Maybe it is generally known these Left Behind books are religious? (At least, I know it by now). However, could you please warn us foreigners about these? Being a devout Christian I have not got anything against these guy's ideas; I would just like to know what I am purchasing, and, I would prefer keeping religion and novels separate. Thanks.

Rating:
Summary: Show me some Truth!
Review: I have found that in the past Tim Lahaye has had a lot of Good things to say. But here is a good question for everyone who has read the book. Is that really the GOD you serve and Love? I think NOT! I could hardly even make it through the book because to be honest with you, if that is the kind of God I have now come to love, I would turn my back on HIM and Hope to Burn in hell forever. ( I MEAN THAT) This book talks about a GOD that does not exist. The God I know is Loving as a matter of fact my Bible says " God IS love." this book has a very demented thinking on the last days. I think Lahaye and Jenkins need to go Back and study Revelations again. After they figure out God IS NOT Schitzophrenic. I do belive in the rapture and so on... but I believe that God has more influential power than the evil one of this world. God is not setting out to destroy everything he created especially me and you. God truly does love his children unconditionally with unfailing grace.

Rating:
Summary: Can Left Behind answer our questions about the end-times?
Review: Granted, many people have criticized Left Behind for the authors' (A) writing style and (B) their outlook on the end-times. Gordon Fee, a scholar of the Bible, has commented on the clashing of the authors' beliefs with his own. However, Left Behind is simply the reflection of Dr. Tim LaHaye's outlook, his view, on the Great Tribulation. There always have been and (until it actually happens) always will be clashing views on the end-times. If Mr. Fee wishes to hold his own ideas that clash with those of Dr. LaHaye, I applaud him for being assertive enough to express his OWN opinion. However, I suggest that he do so by PROMOTING his view, rather than ATTACKING Dr. LaHaye's.

All-in-all, an incredible majority of readers find Dr. LaHaye's view of the Tribulation to make a great deal of sense, and Mr. Jenkins' presentation of that view to be a masterpiece. I myself am not ashamed to be part of the aforementioned "incredible majority." Left Behind stuns, surprises, twists and turns the reader upside-down from Hattie Durham's first outburst in Captain Rayford Steele's cockpit to the Antichrist's bitter act of murder in a secure office-building.

Action?

It's here.

Suspense?

Yup.

Controversy on theology?

Uh huh.

If Mr. Jenkins or Dr. LaHaye were writing this very article, I believe they would (as I am about to) advise that you read the book and then study the Book of Revelation and other prophecies throughout the Bible to see how YOU interpret the prophecy.

And if, like a reviewer of Assassins (the 6th book in the Left Behind series), call the book "hogwash," that's your interpretation as well. I hold nothing against you, although I have open-mindedly listened to literally thousands of explanations of secularity, atheism and Christianity; I have studied Revelation, I have studied the prophecies of Daniel, and my conclusion is that Left Behind is, theologically, sound. And ultimately, a masterpiece.

I appreciate your taking the time to read this article, and would like to add your own view to the many I have listened to as well. Please send your comments to [e-mail]. Thanks for reading.