Book Review: The Left Behind series, by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B Jenkins

Kim read the first couple of this series and said very good things about them and Id heard about the books from others as well so I picked the first two up, there are a total of 12 books in the original Left Behind series (I’ve listed all twelve at the end of this post.) I was looking for a deeper more meaningful read when I made the decision to read these books, and I was not disappointed.

The series is fiction, although scripture based. It starts out with the Rapture and ends with Jesus’ return to the earth. The series follows a group of people all the way from the Rapture, through the 7 year Tribulation, till when Jesus returns to earth to rule for a thousand years.
I pretty much blew through the series, taking two to three days to read each book of approximately 300 pages. It is well written, and while it quotes a lot of scripture, is an easy read.

At first when reading the books I was a little uncomfortable with the “preachyness”. Then as I read more and started to think about my own life I realized that it was really having an impact on me. I started to follow the examples of the characters in the book and I found myself praying and relying on the Lord more and more often. The book does a very good job of quoting scripture to explain what is happening in the book. I don’t think any Christian could read this series and not have it change their life.

Anyhow, excellent books and I recommend them to anyone. If you have more questions, or would like to hear more about the books, drop me a note.


The Left Behind Series:
Left Behind
Tribulation Force
Nicolae
Soul Harvest
Apollyon
Assassins
The Indwelling
The Mark
Desecration
The Remnant
Armageddon
Glorious Appearing

This team of authors also have a number of other books based on the Left Behind series, if you are interested in learning more, check out their web site at, http://www.leftbehind.com.

Books and Movies

One of the things I will try to do is drop a quick blog when I finish a book or watch a movie, two of the things I enjoy doing; reading and watching movies.
As my first review will be about a book I will tell you a bit about my reading history. I love just about any kind of book.

I started out reading Science Fiction books in Jr. High. I remember I eventually had to go to the public library because I had read every single Sci-Fi book in the school library. My favorite Sci-Fi author would have to be Robert A. Heinlein (Stranger in a Strange Land, Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Starship Troopers (excellent book-HORRABLE movie, completely incomparable)). I’ve also read some of L. Ron Hubbard, and really enjoyed them. He is actually a very comedic author, which I find to be ironic as he invented Scientology.

From there I found a book, Jonathan Livingston Seagull, by Richard Bach in my father’s room and ready that. Completely blew my mind! I quickly started reading more of Bach and have enjoyed everyone. My top two books in the world would have to be Jonathan Livingston Seagull and Illusions, both by Bach.

I’ve read quite a bit of Stephen King, although not so much of his hard core horror. I added The Stand to my list of favorite books.

To complete my list of favorite authors and books I will have to mention Stephen Hawking and A Brief History of Time. Stephen Hawking has to be one of my top all time heroes. He is an amazing person and A Brief History of Time boggled my mind in a way I cannot explain.

I’ve read a few of the general popular authors, Dean Koonts, Robert Ludlum, Tom Clancy and others. All excellent writers in their areas.

When I pick a book I make a decision, am I looking for a deep, hard read, or an easy light read. I will note this when I write my review of a book. I enjoy both types of books, deep or light, depending on my mood or what/where I am at. Light books are great for reading a couple of pages a week, or when flying on an airplane. Deep, hard reads take more effort, however they have a greater effect on my life.

Anyhow, on to my first real review....

"Hello fellow Human", he said with a wave of his hand...

Some years ago I owned a motorcycle. Oh how I did LOVE to ride… One of this things I noticed, but thought very little of at the time, was that when ever I rode, where ever I rode, if I passed another person also on a motorcycle we would give each other a quick wave of the hand.
Then a couple of years ago my family and I went on a houseboat vacation with my father-in-law and his wife on Shasta Lake. As we puttered around the lake, houseboats are NOT known for their overwhelming speed, as other boaters would pass us we would always exchange a wave of the hand.

And thus I started to ponder… Are motorcyclists and boaters (boaters…boatests…what DO you call a person who drives a boat???) naturally friendlier people? When I pass people in my car I NEVER get a wave.

On Wednesday my son, Michael, and I went down to a local park to do some fishing. As we were walking to our spot and would pass by other folks fishing I would give, and receive, a wave.

Then it struck me…these people weren’t necessarily friendlier, but rather we had a common connection (motorcycles, boats, fishing) and thus could give each other a wave and a smile.
This got me pondering all over again. Why do we need a connection for something as simple as a wave of the hand? Are we not all human? Do we not all live on the same planet? Why can’t we just be more outgoing and friendly to EVERYONE?

Well…I am trying to start a movement, although I can’t say it is going very well.
I gave my neighbor a wave and got one in return, however when I pass people in my car and give them a wave mostly all I get back is a VERY odd look. I will NOT give up. I am going to wave more often and to more people. Perhaps one day we can all wave to each other with out fear of an odd look. Perhaps one day we can make this a friendlier world.

This said, “Hello fellow Human”, I say with a wave of my hand.

For my first post...

I suppose I should say a few words about myself and what this Blog is (supposed to be, anyhow) all about.
Quite often I find myself pondering all kinds of thoughts and topics.
It will be my goal to write about them here to both help to clarify my own thoughts and also to, hopefully, improve my writing. That being said, please be frank in your responses and we will see how it goes.
My other goal is to help keep in touch with family. You see my oldest daughter lives in Spokane, WA with her husband and my grandson. I suppose I could have said, “with her husband and son”, however as I (with some help from her mother) brought her into this world, I do believe I shall take credit for MY grandson. Anyhow, she started a blog some time ago (http://thecococafe.blogspot.com) and I truly LOVE to read it and keep up with what is going on in her life. I also fully realize that her blog is MUCH better than mine, but then I think I may take credit for THAT as well….hehehehe.
Okay, so much for what this blog is all about. Give it a read, let me know what you think, and have a WONDERFUL day.