Rating: 
Summary: Better than left behind....thats not saying much!
Review: In my frustration and annoyance at the disturbing popularity of the Left Behind rags, I was interested in the many strong opinions I read on the Christ Clone Trilogy. I had seen so many positive comments on BeauSeigneur's series that I wen tout and bought the first of the trilogy. I must say, this is indeed the best end-times book I have read; however, seeing as how I have read so very little of them, this is not saying much. The story was interesting, but not consistently. I was gripped by the Shroud of Turin stuff and the neat theories behind the Ark of the Covenant...I love that stuff, so the beginning really had me. But the book did not keep my interest; moreover there were some major issues that I had with the books. First, the Clone himself. I'm not a history revisionist by any stretch, but it seems to me that if Christ were cloned, then this person would look like a first century Jew - a darker skinned person. Well, the Clone in this book was ablr to pass himself off as a white person (the nephew of a scientist) and was clearly thought to be of European stock! While BeauSeigneur seemed to want to be as accurate as possible by all the "footnotes" he has (most of which were just Bible quotes), he was clearly lacking in this regard. Second, I'll set aside the whole bad theology of the rapture; I'll rant about that elsewhere. Let's assume that it's good theology (which it isn't!). Now I was intrigued by BeauSeigneur's way of handling it - VERY different from other renderings of this event. BUT - don't you think the world would have made a correlation between all the people who left in the "Disaster" with the fact that they were all Christian? That was a major hole to me. There was not even an attempt to pretend at a reason why all these people are gone - they just refer to it as the Disaster. Third, I did not like the treatment of Jewish theology. BeauSeigneur may be right that Jews are not allowed to predict the coming of the Messiah in Daniel, and perhaps they almost never read Isaiah 53, but I really doubt it. In fact, I have read numerous sites on the Web where Jews have given their own perspective on this prophecy. As a Christian, I may disagree with their translation, but I do not claim that they are as ignorant as BeauSeigneur implies. These are the major problems that kept staring me in the face. That's not to say it was not an interesting book. I would like to read the rest of the series, but I don't really feel like paying for the other two books! I will grant that BeauSeigneur delved into more speculative and fantastic ideas; I don't think that he sees this entirely as the way it WILL happen as the LEFT behind authors do.
Rating:
Summary: A Most Unusual Messianic Thriller
Review: Mix one part historical fact, add science, mix in Scriptures, toss in some not very credible science fiction, bake in a New Age oven, cool with religious speculation, and ice with geopolitics in future scenarios. Voila! You have this most unusual book. I have never read anything like it. If you are like me, you will find yourself drawn to the unusual plot and combination of story origins. On the other hand, you may find the characters to be underdeveloped, the emphasis on warfare and political intrigue excessive, and the plot too disconnected from likely events to be credible. I suspect that you will find reading this book a rewarding experience, for changing your ideas about now a novel can be constructed. If I were only grading this novel for originality, I would suggest that it was worth more than five stars. The book opens with a journalist accidentally finding a way to be part of the scientific team that plans to examine the Shroud of Turin, the linen that many believe was used to cover the body of Christ after His death. The story closely follows the actual scientific investigations into that relic, and includes many footnotes to the actual news reports. The flight of fancy begins when a scientist discovers some cells that can be used to clone other cells, and a person. The references here are well beyond anything that science was able to do in the timeframe described here, so you just have to play along. If you like your science fiction to be literal, you will probably be disappointed in this section. The story then evolves around a person being grown from these cells. Here again, science fiction takes many unlikely turns. For example, there is a theory that a clone can remember experiences that occurred in the original's body. Around this plot revolves helpful people in the background who seem to be playing the role of prophets, religious conflict that turns into terrorism and warfare, and a changing role for the United Nations. Of these themes, I found the one involving the United Nations to be quite interesting. If that body were to become more effective, how would it have to change from its current make-up and governance? You will find the author's answers to be quite useful, I think. The story is fast-paced, cutting quickly from one story line to the next. I found myself sitting up late to finish it. As you are aware, I'm sure, having lots of action means giving up other things. In this case, having lots of characters and plot complications means that you do not spend much time with any characters but two. Only one of these seems to get decent development. The other one is deliberately kept as a mystery. Since I love character development, that made the plot less interesting for me. If you like action, it will make the plot more interesting for you. This book is the first in a series called "The Christ Clone Trilogy." From that title you can see that the story will probably parallel the life of Jesus in important ways, but there is less of that than you might imagine. In fact, if the book had hewn closer to a Christian theme, I suspect that I would have enjoyed it more. On the other hand, by not doing so, this book will be more accessible and appealing to people of all faiths and beliefs. So it is very democratic in that way. You should be aware that the book leaves you hanging, like an old Saturday morning cartoon serial just before the cereal commercial. If you decide to read this one, I suspect that you will feel compelled to read the rest of the series. I have not yet read them, but I must admit that I am curious about what comes next. There is a serious side to the book in that it realistically portrays the dangers of proliferating weapons of mass destruction. Anyone who reads this book will end up thinking quite a lot about what needs to be done to make the world a more humane and less dangerous place. That's a very worthwhile lesson to get from an action novel. What can you do to help with the issues of making this a better world for every one in it? Live with love and hope in your heart, and share them with all you meet!
Rating: 
Summary: One of the greatest end of time fiction novels I've read
Review: The Christ Clone Trilogy is one of the greatest end of time fiction novels I have read. It is this kind of fiction that is appealing to "picky" readers as myself. This novel is very believable and has many unexpected twists. I just hope that this Trilogy gets made into a tv mini-series. The first volume gives you the setting of apocalyptic events to come. This book is practically impossible to put down. Once you get involved in the story, you can't have enough. I give it two huge thumbs up.
Rating:
Summary: Imaginative, Transporting Novel from James BeauSeigneur
Review: Whenever a novel can capture your imagination and draw you completely into the world that exists between it's covers, it is an exhilarating experience. With "In His Image," the first book of "The Christ Clone" trilogy, author James BeauSeigneur has done just that. A highly imaginative and extremely well written novel of epic proportions, it covers a span of over forty years, during which time the reader is transported from the world as we know it today, to the very dawning of the "New Age." The story unfolds with a ring of authenticity that makes it a compelling read, with a scope reminiscent of Asimov's classic, "Foundation." The story begins in 1978, as journalist Decker Hawthorne attaches himself to a large contingent of American scientists who are off to Italy to conduct tests on the Shroud of Turin, long believed to be the burial cloth of Christ, in an effort to establish it's authenticity. The first two chapters are a dramatization of that expedition, and BeauSeigneur draws upon the published reports of the actual scientists involved, seamlessly weaving fact and fiction together to create a riveting narrative, much as Michael Crichton did with "Eaters of the Dead." He uses footnotes to reference factual information, which gives the reader the best of both worlds-- documentation of an important historical event, but delivered within the context, and with the flow, of a well written novel-- rather than in the dry, academic tone of a text book. The third chapter jumps ahead ten years-- the first of many transitions that encompass months or years, a technique effectively employed throughout the book by BeauSeigneur-- and here the story begins in earnest. During the '78 expedition to Turin, due to time constraints the scientists were limited as to the number and types of tests they were able to conduct; now, Harry Goodman, a member of the '78 team, has reexamined some of the samples taken from the shroud and has uncovered what he believes is the most important discovery since Columbus discovered the New World. A phone call later, Decker Hawthorne is with his old colleague Goodman, who promises Decker exclusive rights to what will be an evolving story, if he will agree to provide Goodman with confidentiality, and publish his report only when-- according to Goodman-- the time is right. And it's only the beginning of an extraordinary story that will sweep you along without pause to the very end. BeauSeigneur brings his characters vividly to life, and with a depth that along the way offers some real insight into human nature. Those who populate his world are very real, and there are those with whom you will readily identify, for he presents a far-ranging and diverse cross section of humanity that reflects a number of attitudes and perspectives. There are, indeed, heroes and villains, but BeauSeigneur makes them believable and avoids any cliches or stereotypes, which gives them the necessary credibility. You'll recognize some of these people; they're friends and co-workers, neighbors and acquaintances, and some of celebrity. All of those who make up the very real world in which we live. BeauSeigneur facilitates entry into this world and makes suspension of disbelief easy, by grounding even the most extreme episodes in reality. He does this through the occasional use of footnotes, which elucidate facts, or supply the reader with context through specific passages from the Bible. His most effective means, however, is by establishing a frame of reference for the reader, in which actual places and events become an integral part of the story. The U.N., for example, is central to the story, as is the Wailing Wall in Israel. The conflicts and cataclysms that ensue, as well as the politics and parties involved, are all realistically rendered, and BeauSeigneur keeps it all flowing steadily forward with a brisk pace and impeccable transitions, through which suspense builds so rapidly that at times you will not be able to turn the pages quickly enough. There is one section involving strategic issues that gets a bit technical, a la Tom Clancy, but it affords the reader a basis of understanding that later becomes invaluable in appreciating the full impact of certain incidents that come to pass, and BeauSeigneur's approach is similar to what Melville did with "Moby Dick." By the time the whale breaches, you know the importance of the harpooner, as well as that of the rest of the sailors in the longboat. In the final analysis, "In His Image" is a stirring, thought-provoking novel that will no doubt induce you to take pause and reflect upon the state of the world around you. Thoroughly entertaining and at times profound, it will literally take you to another place and another time.
Rating:
Summary: I actually cheered for the Antichrist...
Review: ...and the reason is, he is portrayed as a real person! I am a huge fan of the Left Behind Series, and actually think that both Left Behind and Christ Clone are equally good. But, whereas Left Behind comes from a Christian Perspective, Christ Clone comes the opposite direction: that of the Antichrist. In the first two books, the Antichrist looks and seems like a normal, average, everyday person. Of course he has great intellect and gradually rises to power in the U.N., before, in book 3, becoming U.N. Sec. General. Along the way, James BeaaSeigneur does a great job of making the Antichrist look like the good guy (which is the way the Bible says he'll come off...), and actually shows the antichrist's human sude, as he makes a few mistakes. There are actually a couple of characters that look more evil than the Antichrist, if you can believe it! As well as making the Antichrist look like a real person, Mr. BeauSeigneur also does a great job of making the plagues of Revelation look like true natural disasters (which they will be...) and shows how the one-world government will cast blame on Christians. He also frighteningly goes into great detail with all of the plagues, including a very frightening, detailed view of the Plague of Darkness (5th vial, Rev. 16.10...) which made my skin crawl in fear! The compelling story by the antichrist in Book 2 also nearly had me convinced of the origin of life, and had I not studied the Bible more, I can easily say that the story would have convinced me (at least until Book 3, when the Antichrist's true personality is revealed...). In all, Christ Clone os a very believable, very real-feeling account of the last days, with even a different view of the Rapture of the Church. In all, I am quite impressed with the quality of the writing and it's deatail, not to mention having scenarios which are real-to-life (example, the Red Horse/War as written in Book 2, concerning a believable conflict between China, India, and Pakistan...)... The only detractions that I have are that there is some foul language that is unnecessary at times, and I had a lot of trouble with the persecution of the Church (it truly didn't begin until near the end of the Tribulation, and, from what I've read in the Bible, it seems the church will be persecuted before even the second half of the tribulation begins...). Other than these, everything else is just fine... I certainly recommend this book to anyone, especially if you're looking for a different view of End Times from Left Behind. I like this series just as much as Left Behind and am glad to see a different point-of-view.
Rating:
Summary: Fiction you can believe!
Review: These are amazing books! Everyone knows than when you read fiction you have to be prepared to suspend disbelief and tell yourself: "Okay, it's just a book. Everything doesn't have to make sense." This would be especially true for something like a book about cloning Jesus. And yet, James BeauSeigneur has done so much to insure credibility and accuracy in all the broad range of areas he's covered, that you'll find yourself believing it could all be true. And the way the story depicts the fulfillment of end-times prophecy will have you convinced that the author's got that nailed too.
Rating: 
Summary: Just O.K.
Review: I personally didn't enjoy this book very much, but I will try to write a fair review. To start off, this book is not compareable to the Left Behind Series. Not because it is better or worse than the LB Series, but because it isn't the same type of book. When I bought this book I was looking for an edge-of-your-seat type of thriller. I was disapointed. There is almost no action in this book. Mostly talk with a lot of disjointed events. I am not knowledgeable enough to speak on the accuracy of the end times prophecy(did I spell that right?). The foot notes at the bottom of the page indicate he correctness of the reproduction of real events. This is why I gave the book two stars. Well writen, for a person who doesn't want to stay up all night and read. I had no problem puting this book down! This book is also written from a non christian's perspective. As a result, there is A LOT of profanity. No sex, just offensive words. I kept a count in the back of the book of the number of words. The final Tally: FIFTY-EIGHT offensive wods and phrases. To a christian that is enough to turn you away in disgust. I am sorry that I was decived by the glowing reviews of this book. I hope to warn others about this book. Please cosider carefully before buying this book. It lacks the suspense of the LB Series and the language will lower your standards.
Rating:
Summary: An Incredible Story with a Subtle Message.
Review: This is a book about the end of the world. Although it never tells you that. There is no need to because it is written so well. This is a book written for smart people. This is directed toward the general masses and not just Christians. You do have to have some knowledge of the book of Revelation in the Bible to understand the subtleties. The writing in this book is just superb, real top-notch. The characters and story are very well developed. You really feel like you are a part of that character as you basically watch him grow up. This is a fast paced book that spans decades. Some revelations in this story are just chilling (i.e. the pregnancy). "Left Behind", another book about the end, is good, but "The Christ Clone Trilogy" is the definition of an "end-times" books. This makes you think without throwing anything at you. The research on this book is incredible, it even has footnotes! After reading this book you will realize that you have to get the next two. It really is just that good.
Rating:
Summary: Be Prepared
Review: If you pick up In His Image, dedicate yourself to reading the entire trilogy before passing any judgment regarding the content. Christian readers may become uncomfortable with the direction the plot takes, but all three books should be read with an open mind to obtain the big picture. In His Image starts out rather slowly, with vital exposition - but one doesn't know how vital it is until later, in some cases midway through the last book. The first 100 pages might be difficult to get through, but suddenly the book explodes with a single chapter and the reader can't put it down after that. Rarely does an author skillfully pull me along to accept a viewpoint that might not reflect my own inclination or beliefs, but BeauSeigneur not only does this, but then skillfully turns everything against his reader in a turnaround that will leave you reeling and amazed. While it may be possible to buy the first book to "see how it is" and then hop up and down until you can get your hands on the second, I'd recommend buying all three at the same time - or, at the very least, buy the last two at the same time, as book two is slim and so compelling you'll go crazy waiting to get your hands on the final volume if it's not at your fingertips. The writing is excellent; the plot masterful and the characters so well-crafted you'll form solid opinions and emotions about them as if you had met them. This trilogy also has something other works of fiction lack: scholarship. One can't write about the apocalyptic literature of religious tradition without thoroughly researching the original texts, and BeauSeigneur meticulously footnotes every reference for the reader. In no way could I find biblical scripture twisted to serve the plot of these books; instead, the plot is a very creative and plausible interpretation of the actual text of scripture. In the final analysis, the books are more creative intellectually than they are doctrinally bound; for what might be a more "mainstream" Christian account, read LaHaye's Left Behind series, which is also very compelling, but does not approach the subtlety of BeauSeigneur's shadowy portrait of the New Age. Whether the reader is Christian or not, the trilogy raises somber questions about the New Age in general and man's place in the universe. A thrilling ride no matter how or why you read it!
Rating:
Summary: Don't miss the fist great books about Revelations.
Review: For many years now, there have been an awful lot of books produced about Revelations. The emphasis is on awful. For whatever reason, those books have often been poorly writen, preachy to the point of offensive, and completely lacking any real spiritual insight. Finally, in the last few years, two authors have produced amazing books about Revelations. Brian Caldwell's We All Fall Down is the first truly mature look at Revelations. It's not a book for people looking to stand at a distance, as it is an emotionally devistating piece of fiction. It is raw and uncompromising, a book that will grab you by the throat and shake your soul. I don't think I have ever read a book that challenged me to examine my faith so strongly. BeauSeigneur's Christ Clone Trilogy is equally impressive, if in a different way. While Caldwell's book focuses on the spiritual psychology of a single character, Beausigneur tackles the big picture. His novels are intellegent and incredibly well-researched. His novels make you believe that the end of the world could happen, not just spiritually, but intellectually as well. The two authors complement each other quite well, with BeauSigneur tackling the big picture and Caldwell zeroing in on the personal. What both writers have in common is a perfect ear for dialouge, a scathing intellegence, and an insight into spiritual matters that was exciting to read. After suffering through so many second rate novelists tackle revelations, it was an incomparable pleasure to read these magnificent books.
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