Tribulation Force: The Continuing Drama of Those Left Behind (Left Behind No. 2) Reviews

• Not as good as the first, but still worth reading!

  
  By AFYS0EL14ITHG on 2000-11-17
  I consider myself a fan of the left behind series, but #2 is just not my favorite. The reader is left to wonder about large chunks of time that disappear, I believe it was 18 months. When we are talking about a time period of only 7 years, 18 months is a substancial amount of time! However, overall the Left Behind series is excellent. I encourage my non-Christian friends and Christian friends alike to borrow these books, and if nothing else it definately forces one to think about where they would stand if the Rapture were to occur tomorrow. Many people argue the superiority of the Christ Clone Trilogy over this series, but for what they are, the amount of recognition the Left Behind books have received is amazing. I am definately looking forward to the continuation of this series!
  
  

• Hooked, but there is better...much better

  
  By A2R2Y8DRCIOWZ4 on 2001-11-23
  Okay, I'm hooked on this series. I've read 6 of the 9 so far and I have to admit it gets pretty unrealistic at times. I guess I'm just a sucker for a soap opra. I'm hooked on the story of the characters.

  On the other hand, while I'll keep reading Left Behind, I have to agree with all those that say that The Christ Clone Trilogy by James BeauSeigneur is really a better and much more realistic end times series. Besides since The Christ Clone Trilogy is a completed series, you don't have to worry so much that the rapture will come before you finish reading.;-)
  
  

• "Tribulation Force" -- Review #1

  
  By A3MSB482DIB9SL on 2001-01-17
  I've decided that the only way in which I can give an honest appraisal of "Tribulation Force" is to write two reviews -- one concerning anti-Catholicism and the second concerning the writing, plot, etc. Several reviews have been written alleging "Anti-Catholicism" to which one of the authors, Mr. Jenkins, has briefly (and defensively) responded. So as a conservative, Christian clergyman who is neither a Roman Catholic nor an Independant Bible fundamentalist, perhaps I can shed some light on this question.

  Item: The main point of "Tribulation Force" is not to bash Catholics.

  Item: Either Mr. LaHaye or Mr. Jenkins (or both) is/are woefully uninformed as to what Catholics believe.

  Item: Although "Tribulation Force" does not seem to exist solely for the purpose of bashing Catholics, books in this genre have (for decades) typically featured a high-level Catholic clergyman (Pope, bishop, etc.) as representing the "False Prophet" of Revelation -- and this book is no exception.

  Item: Some extremely basic studying of Catholic doctrine would probably have eliminated several of the more glaring errors made by the authors -- which, presumably caused the greatest level of offense to Catholics. These would include:

  1) Suggesting that of all the Roman Curia, only the newly elected Pope was "Raptured", apparently for becoming a theological Lutheran. Such a supposition is insulting to Catholics, to Lutherans, to historians who are aware of the social and political ramifications of the Reformation era, and to theologians who are aware of what exactly Luther taught and believed, how that differs from Lutheran theology today, and how neither theology fits with the LaHaye/Jenkins ecclesiology. Essentially, the authors would disagree with classic Lutheran theology as much as they do with Catholic theology.

  2) The Archbishop of Cincinnati figure, who is obviously destined to be the "False Prophet" character, suggests that he doesn't take the "Apocrypha" literally. LaHaye and Jenkins are confusing the "Apocalypse" which is another name for the book of Revelation, with the "Apocrypha", a Protestant term used to signify certain books which Catholics and Orthodox Christians accept, but that most Protestants reject.

  3) There seems to be some fundamental misunderstanding by LaHaye/Jenkins about Catholic theology of baptism.

  4) There seems to be some fundamental misunderstanding by LaHaye/Jenkins about Catholic theology of justification.

  5) There seems to be a total lack of understanding by LaHaye/Jenkins about how the Catholic hierarchy actually functions; the role of the College of Cardinals; which cities are traditionally Cardinal sees, etc.

  6) There is a strong suggestion that those Catholics who would be raptured are those who have left the Church.

  Some further thoughts:

  Item: Luther, upon whom the salvation of the pope in "Tribulation Force" apparently rested, seriously doubted the inspiration of the book of Revelation. It is highly doubtful at best that he would subscribe to the eschatology presented by LaHaye/Jenkins.

  My conclusion: LaHaye/Jenkins do not seem to have set out to write a deliberately anti-Catholic book. However, their ignorance/misunderstanding of Catholic belief and practice, coupled with certain presuppositions which, unfortunately, are fairly typical of certain elements of American fundamentalism, certainly set forth an atmosphere (unintended or not) which fosters anti-Catholic attitudes and is rooted more in American nativism than in actual theology. Yes, ignorance can hurt and offend - and as such does not further the unity of the Body of Christ prayed for by Jesus Himself in John's Gospel.

  No stars for sloppy research and unnecessary offense.
  
  

• Another good read!

  
  By A1DGU560NXQ4RW on 2000-05-03
  After reading "Left Behind," I immediately dove into "Tribulation Force." This book shifts into a higher gear and the plot moves more quickly than that of "Left Behind." The relationships between Rayford, Buck, Chloe, and Bruce become much more defined and as the tribulation force is formed, the battle against evil begins! As Nicolae Carpatihia continues his rise to power, the members of the tribulation force find themselves drawn into his service with no apparent alternatives. They vow to fight to the end!

  As I continue to read the reviews of books in this series, I am disappointed that a lot of people are still writing about disappointments in religious interpretations. I guess that is normal since everyone has different beliefs. Try to keep in mind that this is a fiction novel! It is not the Bible...
  
  

• Leave this book behind 2 too...

  
  By A1GUQ6OC330LLC on 2005-07-11
  Most people look for God when they've lost themselves. By then, it's too late. Because if you're lost, you'll cling to anything. Embrace anything. Especially anything that promises peace of mind, or of body, or safety from all the fears that beset so many people. When you're lost, you'll give your very soul to be found. And there's a whole lot of religions out there that want your soul. Not to mention your money. And your vote. But if you go looking for God from a position of strength, then virtually no religion extant today can cage you, or bamboozle you, or steal your divinity. If you look before you're lost, you'll find you need no redeeming, no saving. Life is good. Your life is good. You are good. The only bad things in life are those things done in ignorance. The only evil is ignorance. And most of that ignorance is not knowing everyone and everything is connected to you, is part of you. If you harm any, you harm yourself. If you know that to be true, how can you do harm to yourself? So, as I said, you are good. Albeit, perhaps, momentarily in a position of ignorance.
  
  In any case, it looks like the Christian publishing business is having a whale of a time. Money flowing into its coffers with every new book promising the lost that they'll be found. Most especially promising them they'll be part of the Rapture. And all those things that hurt them, or anger them, or scare them---meaning one hell of a lot of other people---will not be part of the Rapture but will be left behind to experience hell on earth. What kind of man or woman wishes this on someone else? Actually wishes it on millions of someone elses? The same kind of man or woman who could strap on a bomb and walk into a bustling bistro in Tel Aviv. Or set up explosives to blow up London commuter trains full of people just trying to get to work, earn a living, feed their families. The Rapture Seekers (who have no idea what Rapture actually means, not a single clue...simple souls that they are) with their desire to see millions of other people left to endure torment simply because they are not Rapture Seekers, are not one jot different from those who blew up the Twin Towers. They are all brothers and sisters united in ugly belief. And their "gods" are nothing more than reflections of their sad lonely frightened minds.
  
  I expect I shall now be deluged by all you kool-aid drinkers clicking the "this review did not help me." Well, maybe it didn't help you, but it helped me. I feel better getting it off my chest.
  
  As for the "writers" of this tripe, well, you've made them very very rich. And that's rich.
  
  
• Too clean cut
  By on 2001-03-02
  I'm currently reading this book and I have to say that I'm disappointed with the characters. I mean, they seem too perfect. Before they became born-again Christians, they really didn't lead a struggling life and they appear boring. Because of that I don't sympathize with these characters and I can't relate to them at all. They neither realistic nor creative. I'd rather read about characters who went through a hard life and succeeded. Nicolae seems to have more personality that those 4 characters put together and I'm starting to like him! Come on, this whole thing about the relationship with Chloe and Buck is ridiculous. It's like watching a horrible after-school special. I mean, Buck is suppose to be this renown journalist who experienced dangerous situations before, yet, he's shy about the relationship with Chloe? I also find the father a bit eerie who seems really interested in their relationship than his own life. I'm also annoyed about the female characters like Hattie and Chloe. They are so obnxious! This book has some potential if the authors put some effort into writing better character development and the characters' descriptive appearances. I'd like the authors to paint a projection of their appearances. The only positive thing about this book is Nicolae Carpathia.
  
  
• Bad Theology, Bad Writing
  By A2WDD8HFX71RWK on 2005-08-07
  Like many reviewers here, I disagree with the pretribulation rapture theology of the Left Behind novels. I actually hold to a very different partial preterist postmillennial view which has a much more optimistic outlook on the gospel's impact in transforming the world. However, my problem with these novels is not their bad eschatology (after all, that's merely my opinion). A well-written dispensationalist novel depicting the events of a future Great Tribulation could be thrilling fiction, and the fact that it would be, in my opinion, purely fiction would not majorly diminish from its quality.
  
  What does diminish from the quality is the thin characterization, particularly the embarrassing romance that so many reviewers have already mentioned. The first novel provided no real demonstration of why Buck and Chloe are attracted to one another. The writers tell us, without showing us, that both are very intelligent and are immediately drawn to one another. However, this would have been better depicted through quality dialogue that displays their wittiness and shows a real connection between them. If their scenes together had shown real chemistry, the authors would have not have had to tell us. But this is not the worst part. The shallow romance gets even worse in the second book, when it becomes completely juvenile. Chloe, for instance, makes silly assumptions that no intelligent character would have made. The interaction between the two is awkward and painful to read. Chloe frequently ends up bursting into tears, which is a fairly offensive portrayal of women, especially since Chloe is supposed to be an analytical person. Also, it is quite unrealistic that Buck and Chloe are both virgins. LaHaye and Jenkins missed a real opportunity here to show people that forgiveness for sexual sin is possible.
  
  Furthermore, I am a very conservative Christian, but some of the extrabiblical morality in the books is quite offensive to those who are outside the mainstream of fundamentalism. (I am Presbyterian.) No Christians in the books drink, not even in moderation, while drinking is frequently shown as a character trait of immoral unbelievers. While drunkenness is clearly depicted as a sin in the Bible, this view of alcohol is contrary to the Bible. Christ drank wine and even instituted the use of wine in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. While the authors never explicitly condemn the use of alcohol, it's irritating how all the good characters are explicitly depicted as teetotallers. (Buck, in addition to his amazing virginity after 30 years as an attractive unbeliever in supposedly "fast" crowds, also has never been much of a drinker.)
  
  Other reviewers have commented on the anti-Catholicism in the novel. I am not Catholic myself; in fact, I strongly disagree with various aspects of Catholic theology. However, it is absolutely true that LaHaye and Jenkins have misrepresented Catholicism. This is intellectually irresponsible and uncharitable. If you want to know what Catholicism is really like, talk to Catholics, read Catholic books, or even read a good Protestant guide to Catholicism. You may disagree (as I do), but at least you'll know what you're disagreeing with.
  
  One more attack on this novel: It does not even have an intriguing plot to redeem all of these bad qualities. Some reviewers have claimed that at least it has a "good story." This is subjective, but I happen to disagree. There is no tightly constructed plot here. There are no surprises or twists, and my personal view on light fiction is that if it's going to be cheesy and shallow, it should at least have some real intrigue, some thrills, and a few jaw-drop moments. Then again, it's kind of hard to pull any major surprises when you're trying to fit a plot into a predetermined seven year framework which even the characters are aware of.
  
  In short: By all means, do not buy this book. If you simply must read it out of morbid curiosity, borrow a copy. With the phenomenal success of the series, you should know someone who owns it.
  
  
• You won't want to put this one down once you start reading!
  By A33M1NQHY6HBFU on 2000-03-29
  Tribulation Force is the second installment in the Left Behind series. The books are written in a consecutive storyline following the lives of Buck, Ray, Chloe, Rabbi Ben-Judah and many others you will come to know as the story unfolds. LaHaye and Jenkins make a captivating novel out of the end-times prophecies found in the Bible. You won't find a more graphic and intense action adventure series than LEFT BEHIND - TRIBULATION FORCE. I was given the set of the first four in the series for Christmas 99. I had all four devoured by the time New Years was over. Since then, I've read 5 and 6. Number 7 is due out in May 2000. I can't wait! Tribulation Force is a group of everyday people who find themselves in an extraordinary situation: The rapture has occurred and they are Left Behind. You will be entranced with haunting experiences of those left behind and how they deal with their pain and move forward in their lives. This is a must read for every believer! Even if you're not a believer, you'll enjoy the book! It is well written, enthralling, and FUN!
  
  
• Stronger in faith and beliefs
  By A659YIOONUIHY on 2000-01-25
  I have completed book #2. I like the references to The Bible because I do not have a full knowledge of passages and verses. This makes me want to know exactly what The Bible is saying about topics relating to the Anti-Christ and other chapters relating to expectations in this world. I do believe that Tribulation Force talks about the challenges faced by Buck, Chloe, Rayford, Bruce, Loretta, etc. during those times. It may be something to agree or disagree with if it were truly real. I know and like the idea of the mixture of truth and fiction.

  Tribulation Force makes you see the importance of strengthening your faith, beliefs and asking questions that need answers. I am presently finishing up book #3 showing how Nicolae starts to show who he really is. People in Tribulation Force thought that Nicole was the best that might ever come along. He was so perfect, and that was part of the problem because he led everyone to think he was "perfect." They believed he was The Messiah. He wreaks havoc over nations and has people doing things they do not even recognize as wrong. He delights in his power. Some of the same things could be happening in this day and age. I am certain there are Nicole's (as in the Left Behind series) in this world and may be hard to recognize.

  The Left Behind series started with a referral from a friend. Once I started it, I have told others and they are wrapped up in the books. None of the books are to be taken, in my estimation, literally. The references to The Bible are fact, but the interpretation may not be. It gives me a reason to go and read further; it gives me more basis to listen carefully when our minister is giving his sermon and each book makes me strengthen my faith. I, along with many others, think the Left Behind series is excellent. The first book was introductory, and the Tribulation Force starts to build this incredible picture of 'good vs. evil.' One really can read and make a choice has to which appeals to them. I will continue to read the rest of the series and wait for the others to make their appearance.
  
  

• What a wonderful time to be a Christian lover of fiction!
  By AOYKZHA8QR31R on 2001-11-08
  For so many years, a Christian's only real option to read quality Christian literature was to read the marevelous C.S. Lewis. I feel blessed in the the last couple of years with the outpouring of quality literature now available. What's more, the different books are all very different. Left Behind is a wonderful introduction to the theology behind the End Times and a great series for all ages. We All fall down is a great book for more mature, intellegent Christians who wsnt to explore the individual ramifications of the End Times and the one on one relationship of a man who has fallen away from God. The Christ Clone Trilogy is a thrilling, Tom Clancey like look at these events, full of unexpected twists and turns. I know some people like to argue the various merits of these books as compared to each other, but I think they are all worth reading and feel lucky to finally have such a wide variety of GREAT Christian literature available.
  
  
• Wonderful sequel to the first book
  By AIL4HD8BRUHV9 on 2000-07-21
  I find that there is an advantage to starting this series after there are already a bunch of them published in that I don't have to wait 6 months or more to read the next Left Behind book!

  The books tend to leave you hanging, so I'm glad I can start the next one right away.

  These books are fairly easy reading, and hard to put down, but still do a great job of getting their point across: Who do YOU say Jesus is and have you given your life to him?

  Readers should understand that, while well-researched, this is ONE VIEW of how the events of the end-times will play out. The books are great because through the characters, you can more easily understand the different events.

  I especiallly enjoyed reading about the two witnesses (near the Wailing Wall in Israel) which are talked about in this passage:

  (Rev 11:3 NIV) And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth."

  I'm almost done with Nicolae and I have the next two books after THAT one in the house!

  These books are fast-moving and enjoyable reading. They are good to give to people who are curious about the Christian faith and end-times related issues. Many people have come to know Christ through these books!
  
  

• Entertaining insights into "last days" mindset!
  By on 2000-05-13
  NOTE: I have only read the first two books in this series.

  I've always had a perverse interest in apocalyptic fiction, so when I heard about a series of books set during the last days of the Earth, when presumably all the folks left behind were the true wretches, I decided to give them a try. I was aware before starting (and if I hadn't been, I would have quickly picked up) that the authors were fundamental evangelical Christians. (I am not.)

  In a way, I found these two books fascinating, the second more than the first precisely because little "action" occurred, and I got to learn more about how a presumably saved person would behave. To wit: as if they were trapped in a corny 1950s aw-shucks comedy, with intimations of the Antichrist, seven seals, etc. thrown in.

  I admit I was disappointed when it turned out that our protagonists who had been left behind were pretty much blameless individuals who, through some quirk or lack of tolerance for the endless nattering of the saved about the Rapture, managed not to go to Jesus with their saved family and friends. What was Rayford's sin? He didn't go to church regularly, he was bored in his marriage, and he had lustful thoughts about an incredibly hot coworker. The supposedly iconoclastic (and 30 years old) "Buck" Williams managed not to have premarital sex because he apparently just didn't feel like it! Chloe was your typical teen who, though "not the picture of propriety," managed not to lose her virginity either. (And give me a break - a sophisticated journalist feigns shock at a 20 year old uttering the word "sex"?)

  Come on! These are pure-living people! Can't there be REAL sinners who are saved? What if Raymond had actually had a fling with Hattie? Would he still be worthy to be redeeemed? Guess we'll never know.

  I was interested in the ethics of living during the last days. Rayford knows that his wife, Irene, and his son are in heaven. They are living in eternal bliss, counting the few moments until Rayford perishes in some absolutely horrible way and joins them. So why is it then OK to remarry? Can Rayford really consider himself widowed if he is actually only temporarily removed from his wife? (Moment of unintentional humor: Amanda tells Rayford she's thrilled to be his "for the few years we have left." Tee-hee!)

  Here's something else to consider. Rayford apparently didn't like Irene all that much. Isn't it possible that there might have been problems aside from the saved/nonsaved dichotomy? Is it OK for a saved person to fall out of love with another saved person?

  Anyway, the writing is terrible and I have to laugh at those who wax poetic about the "depth" of the characters, whom I could tell apart only because of certain traits (Rayford does a perverse Father Knows Best - "Have you held hands?", Chloe whines a lot, and Buck thinks about how hot Chloe is - excuse me, I mean, what a special and important person she is. ) No word on the last-minute addition of Amanda White; in another book, I'd think she was a ringer; here, it's just lazy writing. I'm sure Nicolae knows who these clowns are (aside from the "very best" pilot in the world and the "very best" journalist in the world) - sorry guys, leaving off the word "seal" in your e-mails is not going to fool the Antichrist.

  Still, it's a dopey yet compelling soap opera, I enjoy the insights into the fundie mindset (I never knew Catholics were so godless!) I'm personally looking forward to the comet that, according to Revelations, is supposed to smash into the Earth and make the seas boil. That and the locusts.
  
  

• Aniti-Catholic? It's anti-everyone!
  By A2A3JMR3YMQB4D on 2000-04-09
  I'm amused at how many of the reviewers (as well as one of the authors) take up the debate of whether or not this series is anti-Catholic. On the one hand, I didn't find any "the Pope is really the agent of the Devil" a la Bob Jones University sentiment. On the other hand, yes, Catholics are depicted as duped, stupid, selfish, or evil.

  But to object to this misses the point. In the worldview of the authors and the characters, only one thing matters: whether or not you believe their particular brand of Christianity. The world is simply divided into people who are right and people who are wrong. Of course, most Catholics fall into the latter category, but so does practically everyone else in the world. Why aren't any of the reviewers objecting that the book is anti-Jewish or anti-Budhhist or anti-athiest. (Unless, of course, most of the reviewers don't think there's anything wrong with these sentiments.)

  Of course, the "Left Behind" novels are based on the idea that everyone in the world who doesn't share the authors' religious beliefs is either mislead or just evil. But you knew the premise when you started reading them. To object to it is rather like listening to a CD by 2 Live Crew and saying, "Hey, some of these lyrics are dirty!"

  What's disturbing to me about this series isn't the "We're all saved, the rest of you are evil" worldview. Hey, everyone's entitled to their beliefs--even fundamentalists. It's the authors' inability to imagine how people might think differently. For people who are concerned for the souls of the unsaved, the authors seem to have very little interest in how we un-saved think. Some reviewers complain that the main characters in this series have very little depth, but Buck and Chloe and company are positively Shakespearean compared to the various unbelievers in the novel! We spend countless pages in the minds of this one group of people who might as well be interchangeable for all the differences in their personal struggles. But we get no credible internal pictures of how unbelievers deal with events. (The few accounts we do get are short and cartoonish--Hattie's explanation of why all the abortionists are sad to be out of work in the first book is a good example--and none of them come from the perspective of the unbelieving character).

  All of this leads me to conclude that the authors are either incapable or uninterested in how people with different ideas and beliefs think. Strange perspective for someone who's interested in saving souls!
  
  

• The weakest link (WARNING: SPOILERS)
  By A2QK0CLGM4Q0R3 on 2000-08-04
  TRIBULATION FORCE is the weakest link in the Left Behind series. Second in the series, this book plods along at a slow pace, and subjects us to interminable pages of the "Should I call, or should I not call?" that begins to characterize the relationship between Buck and Chloe. For some reason, the authors decided that the story of the Tribulation Force -- a group of four ultra-saints -- would be an interesting one. Granted, "Tribulation Force" is a great title for a book, and it seems like it will be a really exciting concept. When I found out that the Tribulation Force was just an exclusive Bible study that didn't really have any defined goals, I was disappointed.

  The last two chapters of this book are crammed with interesting news told in summary. I wish the authors would have allowed all this interesting stuff to permeate the rest of the book, instead of simply summarizing at the end. Perhaps if the authors had chosen to use more of this in the story, and less of the back-and-forth of relationships and some agonizingly long internalizations, this book would have been stronger. Another major faux pas was the appearance of Amanda, Rayford Steele's fiancee in the last two chapters. She randomly appeared and married Rayford abruptly without even allowing the readers to meet her before this happened. This bitterly disappointed me, and I consider it a poor storytelling technique.

  Perhaps this book was written to further define the characters for the rest of the lengthy series, but unfortunately, that isn't enough to make this book stand.

  The good news is, the series gets more interesting. I recommend this book, if only as a vehicle to the rest of the series, which gets decidedly more interesting with the third book, NICOLAE.
  
  

• A Variety of Problems
  By on 2001-01-28
  The reasons I disliked this book were:

  1. The book was poorly written (the characters were flat and one dimensional, the plot was taken directly from Revelation with no obvious creativity on the part of the author

  2. It was anti-Israel and anti-Semitic (Having Israel welcome the Anti-Christ enthusiasticly, and resume animal sacrifices (How believable is that) and having all the Jews either be quick to be "saved" and become Christian or gullible fools who flocked the the Anti-Christ

  3. It was anti-foreigner (having the anti-Christ be Romanian)

  4. All the characters were flat and stereotypical.

  Jenkins and LaHaye had the opurtunity to write an interesting and informative series about the end of the world, to inform both Christians and non-Christians about the prophesized Tribulation. They blew this oppurtunity, and choose to fill it with their own beliefs instead.
  
  

• Lousy writing, worse theology -- and anti-Catholic to boot
  By A2VYK77GNFJDMS on 2001-08-24
  Like it's predecessor "Left Behind", "Tribulation Force" purports to describe, in a fictional setting, what the world will be like after the "Rapture of the Saints".

  Problem One: The writing is poor and the character development is shallow to such an extent any potential virtues are terribly obscured. The entire relationship between Buck and Chlohe is Jr. High stuff. Eating cookies at each other over the telephone? Come on, guys -- you're supposed to be adults here! And Buck? A thirtysomething, world travelling, unbelieving virgin? Sorry -- not likely in the 21st century.

  Problem Two: The theology is worse than the writing. LaHaye and Jenkins have built their entire scenario around an extreme minority viewpoint (even for Protestants) restricted almost exclusively to the United States. The average uninformed non-Christian reader is going to assume (wrongfully) that this viewpoint represents the Christian position -- and that's just not the case.

  Problem Three: The inherent anti-Catholicism of the authors begins to come to the fore in this volume. The notion that the Pope is 'raptured' because he has become a theological Lutheran is not only insulting to Catholics -- but to Lutherans as well. (These two bodies tend to share similar views on the interpretation of Revelation -- and LaHaye and Jenkins would be just as opposed to the Lutheran view as to the Catholic view). The notion that most of the rest of worldwide Catholicism is NOT 'raptured' is just as insulting. All LaHaye and Jenkins have done here is to demonstrate that they know very little about Catholicism -- except that they hate it!

  I am less impressed by the second volume in this series than I was with the first volume. Don't waste your time or money.
  
  

• The Plot Holes Thicken.
  By A96K1ZGW56S2I on 2001-03-01
  I thoroughly enjoyed LEFT BEHIND and looked forward to reading TRIBULATION FORCE, the second book in the series. I'm sorry to say, I was disappointed. LEFT BEHIND engaged me. I realize that it is basically Christian pulp fiction, but it was a good story (isn't most pulp fiction?). I wish I could say the same of TRIBULATION FORCE.

  The book starts off pretty much where LEFT BEHIND ended. Buck is working and living in Chicago after being demoted. Rayford is still flying planes, Bruce is still pastoring, and Chloe is settling in back home. There are a few minor twists and turns, but nothing really major. There just isn't any suspense like there was in LEFT BEHIND. I won't give away any of the interesting plot lines here, because there aren't many. With that said there are two other reasons why TRIBULATION FORCE failed where LEFT BEHIND succeeded.

  The first is all the romance. Chloe likes Buck, Buck likes Chloe, Chloe sees a woman going into Buck's apartment, Chloe hates Buck, a woman named Amanda likes Rayford, Rayford doesn't like anyone for awhile. Kiss, kiss, hug, hug. Yuck!!! Intelligent readers will understand why all the romantic stuff is there and in order not to offend anyone, I won't reveal why. Let's just say that LaHaye & Jenkins aren't just decent storytellers, they are also brilliant marketers and salesmen as well. They really know how to increase an audience size. Nevertheless, though all that romantic goop increases sales, it also takes a lot away from the story: you can't have many murder attempts when people are trying to get to know each other better.

  The other reason this book fails to achieve what LEFT BEHIND did is the huge 18 month plot hole. The entire set of books takes place roughly over a period of 7 years. Ask any wise person and they will tell you that every moment in life is precious. Well, apparently there were 18 months of the character's lives that just weren't important enough to be written about. We get a sort or flashback here and there, updating what went on during those 18 months, but that's it. I understand sometimes that writers get in a rut when writing epic tales of grandeur and fastforwarding ahead in time is a good way to keep the story going. However, these books aren't an epic series. There aren't 100 different major characters. There's approximately ten and that's it. Also, usually when authors fastfoward and leave out huge blocks of time, it fits the story. Not here. I think it's more of a copout than anything else because the authors were too anxious to get into the plagues of Revelation than take time to develop the characters and flesh out the story more. Speaking of copouts, I'll leave with one.
  
  

• Dating - Circa 1920
  By AMAXHEK4LULXF on 2001-02-11
  First of all, I will read the next one because I have read that it is a lot better then this book. Then again, I have read better character development in my son's Blue's Clues books. The problem is that this book centers on the characters and their dating turmoil which frankly made me cringe. A 30 year old 'famous' journalist who cannot even hold a girls hand! Silly. During the "most historic moment of our time" he is eating a cookie because his girlfriend is too. Come on! He kisses her about 8 months after they start dating and is so happy after she effortlessly HOLD HIS HAND in public - even though they are married. And, all of a sudden, Rayford is married. Please! It's a shame because the last few pages are excellent and I wish the authors would concentrate on the end-times rather then "Leave it to Beaver II". Poorly written - but I'll try the third one.
  
  
• Left behind culturally!
  By A38NK6HLNQKEI8 on 2001-12-02
  This books, while I am sure not intentional, seriously undermines christianity. Due to such books, where prophecy is taken literally, christianity is now mocked by thousands. Sadly enough, prophecy books based on accuracy and based on the Scriptures don't sell as well. It is now obvious that the vast majority of christians in America are more concerned with fiction than reality.

  Where can I even start with pointing out the out-of-control interpretations in this series? To point our just a few:

  - LaHaye's presentation of Antichrist as one individual or one person is simply NOT biblical. There are many antichrists, and they were already around when the New Testament was written: 1 John 2:18; 1 John 4:3; 2 John 7

  - LaHaye's literal presentation of large locusts with human heads flying in the skies is also out of control. Very often, prophets in the Bible use the comparison of soldiers with locusts: Nahum 3:17; Judges 7:12; Judges 6:5

  - why are the locusts literal, and why is the beast symbolic? Maybe a literal beast with literal 7 heads would have been too much for the reader to handle? LaHaye is everything but consistent when interpreting prophecy. If Revelation 20 talks about a literal thousand years, then why isn't everything else literal as well, like the lake of fire, the serpent, the chain? Of course, if that is the case, it would be quite an adventure to throw Satan, which is not a physical being, or death and Hades, which are not material things, into a physical lake of fire.

  The author is so inconsistent with his understanding of Revelation, that he is caught in his own maze of interpretations in order to justify his beliefs about the "end of the world". Unfortunately many readers would much rather believe what LaHaye tells them, instead of reading the Bible for themselves and find out the truth.

  It may come as a surprise to many christian readers that the first century christians, including the apostles, believed that the Second Coming of Christ would take place during their lifetimes, and in fact it happened, just as Christ said. LaHaye maybe is not aware of the following passages:

  - Malachi 4:5 and Matthew 17:11. It is obvious that Malachi is not talking about the birth of Christ, because the birth of Jesus did not "burn like a furnace", and it was not a "dreadful" day. Jesus said that Elijah who was to come was John the Baptist. There was only ONE Elijah, and not more. John was that Elijah that was to come right before the Day of the Lord comes.

  - Matthew 24 is about "the end of the age", no about the end of the world, like LaHaye takes it to mean. It is clear that Jesus indeed talks about the destruction of Jerusalem at which time, He will return with power and great glory to destroy the jewish system that proved to have no power against sin, and was a threat to christians

  - If Mathew 24 indeed talks about "the end of the world", why would Jesus tell people to run to the mountains? That makes no sense whatsoever.

  - Also Jesus repeatedly told his apostles that "the end of the age" which is the jewish age, will take place during their lifetimes: Matthew 23:36; Matthew 24:34; Matthew 16:28; Mark 13:23; Luke 21:32; Matthew 10:23

  - Why is LaHaye ignoring all the New Testament references which clearly point to an imminent return of Christ? Could it be because if the Second Coming was a matter of the past, he would no longer be able to sell his books? Indeed, read Romans 16:20; Hebrews 8:13; Rev 1:1; Rev 3:11; Rev 22:6,7,12,20; 1 John 2:18; 1 Peter 4:7; 1 John 2:18

  - Jesus does not return on a physical cloud in the skies. God used such imagery in the past in prophecy, like in Isaiah 19:1

  Is it indeed clear, from the Bible, not from the Left Behind series, that our Lord returned when He said, soon, during that generation, when the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the romans, and the jewish system, which was a threat to christianity was wiped out. How can LaHaye, Jenkins, or the reader, when presented with such overwhelming biblical proof, can still promote this book series as fact when in fact it has no basis in the Bible? I will let the reader answer that question.
  
  

• This book and this series. . .
  By A2VYK77GNFJDMS on 2002-01-04
  . . .concerns me for a number of reasons.

  Reason One) The writing is really poor. For someone like myself, who grew up reading the Classics -- and who was always challenged to "reach" and to "strech myself" with regard to my
  reading, the quality of the writing (or lack thereof) was a significant "turn-off". A significant example in this volume is the ridiculous and unexplained 18 month gap. According to the theology espoused by the authors, the Tribulation is only supposed to last for 7 years. Almost immediately, 18 months (out of only 84) are eliminated. Why? Does nothing worth reporting happen during these 18 months?

  Reason Two) The character development is virtually non-existent. While great writers (Charles Dickens comes to mind) frequently used "flat characters" as a literary device, the authors of this
  series seem ONLY to use "flat characters". The "Left Behind" characters seem to be "all good" or "all evil" and make the "jump" from evil (or unsaved) to good with a minimum of struggle. I don't see this as realistic. Furthermore, the "relationship" between Chloe and Buck is silly. What's with this "eating cookies at each other over the phone" business? And while the idea of a college-age female virgin is plausible (although becoming rarer) the idea of an unsaved, hard-living, jet-setting, 30something ace reporter virgin is ridiculous. A noble idea, to be sure -- but a totally unrealistic one in this day and age.

  Reason Three) The theology presented is presented as "the" correct interpretation of Revelation, embraced by all "true believers". This is nonsense. The theology of Revelation propounded in this series is a 19th century invention, accepted by only a very small minority of Protestant Christians. It does not represent what most Christians (regardless of denominational affiliation) have believed about Last Things for the entire history of Christianity.

  Reason Four) I find the underlying anti-Catholicism derogatory and offensive. If the authors have theological disagreements with Catholicism, I freely respect that. However, Catholicism is not accurately portrayed here -- rather, it is caricatured. The "false prophet" character is already being set up (the Cardinal Archbishop of Cincinnati). It needs to be noted here that the authors did not do their homework -- even in their anti-Catholicism. The Archdiocese of Cincinnati is not a Cardinal See -- and, to my knowledge, never has been! The notion that virtually the entire Roman Curia fails to make the "Rapture" is insulting and offensive. Like Dante, I am perfectly willing to admit that there have been and are still high-ranking churchmen who may well not "make the cut" so to speak -- but the authors are painting with too broad a brush here.

  ....
  
  

• Anti-Catholic themes?
  By A323WKS96430H3 on 2002-01-20
  I have currently read up through Soul Harvest in the series, and may read the others if I can get them at a library. I have better books to buy with my own money. This book is easily the weakest of the ones I've read so far, the worst part being the 18 month skip, and the second worse part seeing buck and Chloe agonize through making advances on each other while we are left wondering about the state of the world. however, I'd like to address the claims that the book is anti-catholic.

  I am a catholic, and although I'm only fifteen I have an interest and a good knowledge of Catholic theology. Sure, there are things in these books that definitely strike me as anti catholic. It doesn't say that "most catholics were left behind", but it gives that impression. However, I was willing to overlook that as a typical uninformed protestant bias (not meaning any disrespect to protestants, but so many uninformed protestants come up with insanely bizzare ideas about Catholic beliefs) and ignore it.

  However, I read some of Lahaye's book Revelation Unveiled, which was basically an entire book of Catholic bashing, including calling the pope the antichrist. It would have been okay if they had at least used good catholic theology to back up their statements, but what is written there and in this book confirms my suspicions that the authors know very little about Catholic theology. This transfers into the Pontifus Maximus (or whatever his name is) in LB. Whatever the authors may say, their blatent anti catholic biases come through and no one who reads "revelation unveiled" will deny it.

  Mr. Lahaye and Jenkins--PLEASE I urge you to do some research about the Catholic faith before writing any more books in which you intend to bring up Catholic characters. This includes Left behind. Go read some decent Catholic material that is respected (you could start with the Catechism).

  For all the readers who subscribe to Lahaye and Jenkins' views on Catholic theology, please don't call us a satanic cult based on the views of two people who know nothing about us.
  
  

• Egads.
  By A3ISLB3AW64K67 on 2000-01-28
  This is utter dreck. I remain at a loss as to why this ill-conceived and hackish series continues to make the best seller list. I am particularly disturbed at the xenophobic impulse which gives the Antichrist(whatever that may be) a foreign name, multilingual abilities and influence in the United Nations. What is wrong with the American reading public? Not to mention that the phrase "Tribulation Force" gives the reader an image of lycra-clad superheroes stuck in a bad morality play. It's all just plum silly and a complete waste of ink.
  
  
• Great concept, horrible execution
  By A1IA2K507QHKDI on 2000-08-31
  I must give credit to LaHaye and Jenkins--they've come up with an intriguing concept (what if the Rapture and the Tribulation really do happen in the near future?) and an ambitious project (perhaps too ambitious; I think the entire story could be told in only a handful of books, instead of a monstrous 12--or is that 14?--volume series.) However, while I like the idea behind the books and I do applaud some of the inventive concepts they create to show just how the Antichrist comes to power and conquers the world.....this book is just lacking on every level. I've only read the first 2 books in the series, and am debating whether or not to tackle the third.

  I won't criticize the book for it's philosophy. I won't debate whether or not it's anti-semitic, or anti-catholic, or anti-anything other than Christian. There may be ideological reasons why someone would not buy this book, but the best advice I could give would be to not pick up this novel because the writing is just horrible. I believe that Jenkins is the man who handles most of the writing chores, right? I'm sorry, but his writing is just deplorable. It's incredibly simplistic, without the hint of maturity. This book reads like a novel for children, or at best young adults. The characters are flat, and uninteresting. The reader should be sympathizing with them, hoping that these characters make it through the Tribulation safe and sound, but I found myself completely disinterested in their welfare. They were that undeveloped. It brings me discomfort to say so, but Nicolae the Antichrist was more interesting and charismatic than any of the main characters in the book. Sure, he's evil, but at least he has some personality.

  The plot has the tendency to drag on and on during the book. Huge chunks of it could have been excised with no real loss. The most ridiculous sub-plot dealt with the budding relationship between Chloe Steele and Buck Williams. A large portion of the middle of the book is devoted to these two, an effort to give them some dimension I suppose. It comes across as rather silly, though. As one other reviewer put it, the world is ending, and these two are debating whether to hold hands. I almost threw the book down in disgust over the cookie incident. The Antichrist is paving the way for the eventual destruction of the world and all these two "crazy kids in love" can think about is eating their cookies at the same time.... The plot only picks up speed in the last few chapters, but then it moves too fast. For instance, in the last 2 chapters we meed a woman named Amanda White, who's barely in the book before she marries Raeford Steele. The ending seemed incredibly rushed. I would personally have liked to see Amanda more developed before she suddenly became a main character, and I also would like to see more of the conflict between the Peacekeeper forces of the Global Community and the militia movement.

  If you're a diehard Christian, perhaps you can look past the book's faults and simply appreciate the message. I consider myself a Christian, but even so, I couldn't get past how poorly written this book was. I wish the authors had actually sat down and taken the time to truly give the public a quality work of fiction about the end times, instead of the inferior final product we now have.
  
  

• Fiction-lite
  By A2C0T2D2IU08S0 on 2000-10-20
  If you're in need of Sunday-school remedial lessons you may find something of value in these incredibly light-weight novelettes. Stretched out to garner as many sales as is feasably possible, each of these commercial exploitations is a very superficial and unsophisticated read. In contrast, read Glen Kleier's complex and spiritually satisfying supsense thriller THE LAST DAY and you will see how much gold can be mined from this rich topic of the End of Time. For my money, there has to be more to a novel than simply a validation of fundamentalist Bible interpretations. I'm also looking for a story, characterization, and theological insight. These books are very disappointing in that regard.

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  

• Laughably bad
  By A2YN54OGOAP29N on 2001-11-27
  A clone of its predecessor, Left Behind, this book features the same 2-dimensional characters, plodding action, clunky dialogue, lame plot twists, and true bigotry towards anyone who isn't a born-again-middle-class-middle-American fundamentalist. Oh, yes, and the margins are so wide the publishers (and authors) must be raking in the money in a most un-Christian way. If you're interested in the story of Revelations, read Revelations. This series has absolutely nothing to add to the Bible besides cartoonish characters and messages containing the kind of subtle hatred of others that masquerades as Christian love and pity for the unenlightened. LaHaye and Jenkins should be ashamed, but they are probably too busy counting their money.
  
  
• The force that rebels. Add another 1/2 star.
  By A3SMT15X2QVUR8 on 2004-06-10
  If you are involved with this series, then you will follow it through regardless of the skills of the authors or the unrealistic views of romance and marriage. I read the series, even though the romance was formula fiction.

  Continuing from Left Behind (Book 1), Rayford Steel finds a man he least expects as a guide to the future-the pastor Bruce Barnes. They study, and Rayford works to convince his daughter Chloe that she also must give her heart and life to Jesus Christ and ask for salvation. These three are the center of the Tribulation Force, but romance leads Buck Williams to this group.

  The Antichrist, Nicolae Carpathia, brings both men together as his employees through Hattie Durham, who becomes Nicolae's companion. It is a world where Christians should keep their faith secret, but Rayford continues to share his religion with those he works with. It becomes dangerous when he becomes the Global Force One pilot for Nicolae. Buck, in favor of Nicolae, writes his world famous column, but that commitment changes.

  The writing is not strong, but the story continues at a good pace.

  Victoria Tarrani
  
  

• Charcater Development
  By A1B05INWIDZ74O on 2005-09-15
  This is the second book in the Left Behind series. It is not as good as the first book. And I knew this as I was reading it. But even having said that, I read it all in one night. I am hoping that this will be a bridge to the third book that will have a better story line.
  
  This book follows the stories of four people we met in book one. They called themselves the "Tribulation Force": Rayford Steele, an airline pilot; Chloe, his daughter; Cameron "Buck" Williams, a journalist; and Pastor Bruce Barnes. It took the rapture and losing their families to make these four Christians.
  
  In this book we see the relationship grow rather fast between Chole and Buck. And Chole's father Rayford even finds a woman he will marry by the end of the book. Though how these four decide they should be married is not really reinforced by the plot; very unrealistic.
  
  All four of them, The Tribulation Force, know that Carpathia is the Antichrist. Yet they agree it would be in their best interest for both Rayford and Buck to be employed by him. This leads us to see Carpathia and his dealings through the eyes of these two characters. They are the focus of this book.
  
  I thought the best-written part was the meeting of the Rabbi and Buck with the two witnesses' of Christ at the Wailing Wall. And though the writers do include parts about the Catholic Church, they are obviously not well
  
  
  
• bad writing , bad plot
  By A1MAJHX6PUM8OV on 1999-10-14
  Besides real bad writing ( the names alone: Steele, White - obviously good people, while Carpathia - surprise, surprise - is bad, of course. Isn't Carpathia the area where the vampires come from ? ) The ladies are either subdued to downright stupid ( Chloe ) or half whores ( that Hattie assistant of Carpathia ) - a slap in the face of any emancipated woman. Or should this be the ideal of a Christian female??? I did not specifically find any anti-Catholic traits, but the book could certainly reinforce any belief that there might be some brain cells missing if you believe in this terrible conglomerate of backward christianity with "the United Nations are the devil" attitude plus a shot of Militia. Noticed, there are no people of color playing any role here? An insult to any open minded tolerant and intelligent person
  
  
• Great book, but one BIG PROBLEM
  By on 1999-02-28
  I think Tribulation Force over all was a good book. I enjoyed reading it greatly, amd there was only one thing I really disliked about it. So that's why I gave it four stars. But that one thing I found was so bad that I'm spending most of my review discussing it. The greatest flaw of this book is it's anti-Cathoicism. I'm not saying it's anti- Catholic because it disagrees with Catholic teaching, but because it totally misrepresents Catholic teaching on salvation, another clear example of bigotry that persists in fundamentalist literature. After all, to disagree is one thing, but to misrepresent is quite another. What the authors write about Catholic doctrine in this book either shows their vast ignorance of it (which I am hoping is the case for their sakes), or their prejudice in which they deliberately misrepresent it, and then they refute their own misrepresentations! What am I talking about? An example is on page 55) : "Buck had been bold enough to ask the archbishop to comment on certain passages of Scripture, primarily Ephesians 2:8-9: 'For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast,' " Now what does the archbishop say? Does he say, "Yes that verse supports Catholic doctrine," and then explain how Cathoics believe one is saved by grace and not works? Does he go on to say that any Catholic who believes they can earn salvation is considered by the Church to be in heresy (specifically, Pelagianism, which the church condemned centuries ago)? Does he then go on to point out himself other passages besides that state we can't earn heaven? No. Here's how he responds: " 'Now you see,' the archbishop said, 'this is precisely my point. People have been taking verses like that out of context for centuries and trying to build doctrine on them.' " Kind of funny that the authors of this book fail to leave out the fact that it's the

  archbishop's own church that has built that doctrine on that verse for centuries! No, the author doesn't include that, so what is the reader left to think about Catholic doctrine? He's left to think that Catholics believe you're saved by works, earning your way to heaven. This is yet another example of a fundamentalist author refusing to be bothered with the facts. Of course what Catholics do believe is that one is saved by grace, and justified by faith and works, and not faith only. After all, the only time the phrase "by faith only" is used in the entire Bible is in James where it states "Ye see then how that by works is a man justified and NOT BY FAITH ONLY" (James 2:24, King James Version; see also similiar passages about the necessity of works,(not by your own power but God working through you- Ephesians 2:10) for justification: Matthew 19:16-17, Matthew 25:31-46, John 5:28-29; Romans 2:6-8 among others.) But the authors of Tribulation Force seem quite ready to misrepresent Catholic teaching. I hope they just misunderstand it as do many fundamentalsits. However, even if that was the case, if they would actually try to find out Catholic doctrine before they misrepresent it, they wouldn't have this problem. Sorry about spending so much of this review dealing with it's anti-Catholicism, but it's very offensive because of all their distortions of Catholic doctrine. If you disagree with me, then I seriously challenge you to e-mail me and show me where I was wrong. Other than it's anti-Catholicism, I felt it was a great book (It feels kind of weird giving a book four stars in a review that I spend most of the time critizising the book.) If the authors hadn't been prejudiced against Catholics, then I would have given the book five stars automatically.
  
  

• Unrealistic book idealizes marriage.
  By A2Y33NI3QCX69B on 1998-06-05
  My take on this book is slightly different from all the others on this page. I think this book is disappointing because of its theology of marriage. The first book in the series demonstrated, rightly so, that Christian singles can live healthy Christian lives in challenging times without being married. The four main characters, all single, valiantly battle for the right, without becoming distracted by marital commitments. This seems to be in keeping with Paul's comments in 1 Cor. 7 about how it is better not to marry, especially when facing the end of the world.

  However, this book reverses all that. Two of the four protagonists fall in love with each other, and another meets and marries a minor character, who seems to have been invented only for the sake of providing a way for the other character to get married. In this book, confronting the evil of the antichrist takes a backseat to the loftier goal of falling in love and getting married.

  What's the underlying message of the book? That real Christians get married, while single Christians get killed. The authors have been captured by an evangelical focus-on-the-family theology that leaves little or no room for Christians who are single. They seem to promote the view that if you don't get married, you might as well roll over and die. Unfortunately, such a Christianity does not represent the biblical teachings of either Jesus or the apostle Paul, both of whom were single.

  Sadly, the comments about this book being nothing more than a formulaic romance novel are right on the mark. This book marginalizes singles, sets up unrealistic idealizations of marriage, and does not represent a balanced, biblical view that honors the value of both marriage and singleness. END
  
  

• Zondervan International Bible Deluxe

• Nicolae: The Rise of Antichrist (Left Behind #3)
• Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days (Left Behind #1)
• Soul Harvest: The World Takes Sides (Left Behind #4)
• Apollyon: The Destroyer Is Unleashed (Left Behind #5)
• Assassins: Assignment: Jerusalem, Target: Antichrist (Left Behind #6)