Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days by Jerry B. Jenkins and Tim LaHaye (1996, Paperback)

My brother raved about this book and suggested I read this series years ago... I even gave him a couple of the books as gifts each time the newest one came out. But I didn't pick it up to read it until summer 2005.

Well, let me tell you this-- what a terrific tale of mysterious disappearances, adultery, love lost, love found, good vs. evil and more! I read at least one book each month until I finished the series. Yes, there are religious overtones, it is filed in the Christian-based fiction section after-all, but don't discount reading it just because of that. Read this first book, "Left Behind", even just the first chapter of this book, and there's no doubt that you will want to continue reading to find out more! Here's my interpretation of the story...

The short review: "Left Behind" is an incredible page-turner that hooks you from page one. Book One of Twelve, "Left Behind" describes how millions of people across the world simply disappear in one moment, leaving everyone who was left-behind to figure out what just happened. This book is not too "preachy"; instead it offers a view of the apocalypse through the eyes of its characters. It's a fast read that is intriguing, and once you meet Nicholas Carpathia and discover all he is capable of, it will definitely inspire you to say your prayers before you fall asleep at night!

The longer review:
From chapter 1 through the end of this book, authors Jenkins and Lahaye capture your attention with this page-turner that is the first in a series of 12 books in the "Left Behind" series that describes what people experience during the "end-of-days", when Satan claims as many souls on earth as he can before Christ comes back to save those who still believe in God. Before you run away from this book and this series because you are not into "religious books", don't worry. This story contains so much mystery, with love interests, twists and turns and poignant moments intertwined with the main story theme that you hardly realize that this is Christian-based fiction. Instead, you instantly bond with the main character, Rayford Steele, a pilot who in addition to half of his plane full of passengers, also loses his wife and son in a mass-disappearance of millions of people across the globe. You'll wonder, along with Rayford and the other characters you meet in this story, where all the missing people went. Many explanations are provided and it's left up to those who are left-behind to determine which explanation is correct and act accordingly. Ultimately, their investigations into the disappearances and their subsequent decisions about how to move on with their lives will determine who lives, who dies and who will be present to be received by Christ when he returns to Earth to battle Satan in the final book of this series, "Glorious Appearing". A great read that will inspire you to evaluate your relationships and how you interact with people, just in case Jenkins' and Lahaye's tale is not entirely fiction... Read "Left Behind" and decide for yourself!

BOOK: Left Behind by Jerry B. Jenkins, Tim Lahaye
Ten years have past since Dr. Tim Le Haye & Jerry B. Jenkins first published Left Behind. It became wildly popular & they continued the story into a whole series of books. I think there are currently 12 books to the set. This one started the whole thing. Based on interpretation of the Book of Revelation from the Bible, Left Behind is the story of the beginning of the end of the world as we know it. The books tells us the details of the rapture of the church & the beginning of the great tribulation. With the rapture, people all over the world suddenly disappear. Cars crash, airplanes go unpiloted, families are left behind. Those Left Behind are wondering what in the world is going on. We are introduced to Rayford Steele, who will become the "hero" if you will of the series. His wife had warned him about the rapture, but he took no heed. She is now gone along with their young son. His daughter Chloe is left behind also. Lots of suspense , & action will definately hold your attention, It is hard to put the book down. Popular with Christians & non Christians alike. I am sure if you read it you will enjoy it & want to continue the series. Happy Reading!

Don't miss this one it might just be your last chance!
This book askes the question .... What would it be like to wake up and more than half of the worlds population has suddenly vanished? It is well written and is not "Preachy". I does not attempt to be smug or prostalatizing ... not at all ... in fact it attempts to paint a picture of what happens shortly before the "rapture" then goes on to describe what one may go through after the event occurs. The word rapture is not in the bible, however it is an old english word that mean to be "caught up" or "taken up". It describes in good detail the "last days" and how one man, his family, friends and some co-workers cope with their decision not to listen to the teachings of the bible or even the pleadings of a wife and son.

You will enjoy this book. It is a great and exciting mystery .. Wether you believe or not ... folks have the right to believe, just as others have the right not to believe.
I would say the reason for the writing of this book is to show believers and non alike what happens .. If you believe ... when the rapture of the church comes ... you will disappear to the world you will be ... just gone to the world. Where? In heaven of course. But the world will try various different ways to explain why suddenly millions of people will just vanish ... like alien objection or some nonsense ... can you just imagine the mass panic. Who do you know who is a believer in Christ? Is it a family member? Or is it a friend? What if you woke up to find them gone ... all of them. All of those people who invited you to church. It will happen .... But for those of you who don't choose to believe ... just remember ... when it happens and it will ... you will... at least know what it really is ...
If I may be so bold as to ask you a question ... If you died today, Would you go to heaven ... or Hell? Are you sure? Would you consider yourself a good person? Take the test ... Go to livingwaters.com and watch the video clip called "Hells best kept secret" It will change the way you look at things... I promise. You will see Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort asking those questions to folks ... see their answers. ARE YOU A GOOD PERSON? WILL YOU GO TO HEAVEN OR HELL WHEN YOU DIE?
Remember even the devil himself believes in God and Jesus. It is your choice however ... and that is what this book is saying ... YOU CHOOSE ... It is always your choice.
Thanks for listening. you may contact me if you want to talk at hopeforutah@juno.net

Jerry B Jenkins and Tim Lahaye brought this series together according to biblical knowledge. I started to read the book out of curiosity.. Being a believer myself, I wanted to see how truthful the book really was.I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the book and all of the other books in the series will question just what your truth really is..
Suitable for a Christian or just someone wanting to read a good fiction story..Although it is based as a fiction, the tribulation is the main content in Revelations ( Bible) and according to the Bible , is a real event that will take place..
The only down side to this book is that there are 3 views on just what/when the tribulation will take place. This book gives one view ( albeit the most popular view)If you do read this book, check out the different view points on Tribulation and read revelations. Even if you never read the Bible, Revelations is a wake up book and I am sure you will wonder at what really is and is not..Highly recommend these books..

Wonderful characters and story! You will not be able to put this book down!
It opens with Rayford Steel an airline pilot, Buck Williams a news reporter and Hattie Durham, a stewardess flying a full load of passengers over the ocean when the disappearances occur. Those left behind are freaked, they have no clue what has happened. When they land the world is in turmoil and people want answers... Was it aliens? The Rapture? Nuclear? What about the man who wants to bring peace into this world and become the head of this world, can he be believed? Check out how all the characters lives start to inner twine and who really knows the answers... The book continues to get better and better. When you get to the end of this one you feel you need to rush out and get the next one!
Jerry B Jenkins and Tim LaHaye made the scriptures of Revelations easy to understand.