Armageddon: The Cosmic Battle of the Ages (Left Behind, 11) Reviews

• Drawing close to Christ!

  
  By A306BL4NFO7FQ4 on 2003-04-16
  Christian authors have different ideas on how Biblical prophecy will occur. Whether it's Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins' LEFT BEHIND series or James BeauSeigneur's CHRIST CLONE TRILOGY, the areas of agreement are much greater than where they disagree. Yes the focus is different - LEFT BEHIND looks at the end times through the eyes of believers and the CHRIST CLONE TRILOGY looks through the eyes of unbelievers - but where it's important, they're in agreement. The most exciting thing is that through these books (and other end times books) Christians are drawing close to Christ and nonChristians are hearing the Gospel and many are accepting Christ!
  
  

• While I wait for Glorious Appearing

  
  By AQI25WBITEX8G on 2003-04-18
  I am a HUGE fan of Left Behind! I've been reading since December 1995 and even have first printings of all 11 Left Behind books in near mint condition -- my prized possessions! I've read the series all the way through 6 times and will do it again just before Glorious Appearing is released in March 2004. Anyway, I've been seing all the recommendations for In His Image by James BeauSeigneur and then I saw him on the Harvest Show on TV. Just to check it out, I bought the book and it really is a GREAT book. It's not at all like Left Behind even though it's about the end times. Instead you see things more from the perspective of non Christians who don't know what's hapening because things aren't as obvious as they are in Left Behind. Anyway, it looks like a really good series and all three books will be out before Glorious Appearing comes out in March, so it give me some exciting reading while I wait.

  Also recommended: In His Image: Book 1 of The Christ Clone Trilogy
  
  

• Also read CONQUEST OF PARADISE

  
  By on 2003-04-08
  The LEFT BEHIND SERIES is one of the best series of Christian books I've ever read, and certainly, it's one of the best end times fiction series, although IN HIS IMAGE and THE CHRIST CLONE TRILOGY by James BeauSeigneur are also good. So far, the series has zoomed since book one, when the rapture occurred and those "left behind" were forced to grapple with the implications of missing friends and family members. I love this series, and I can't wait for the conclusion. Left Behind fans should also read CONQUEST OF PARADISE. It does in one book what Left Behind has taken many to do, and the book presents ideas for the possible rise to power of the antichrist that I've never heard before. If you even like the LEFT BEHIND SERIES just a little bit, then you'll love CONQUEST OF PARADISE! I'm looking forward to reading ARMAGEDDON. It should be one of the most exciting books in the series.
  
  

• Alternatives

  
  By AU7MV0ZTZMQYD on 2003-04-10
  The authors have 'dragged' out the last couple of books and it's very discouraging. They should stick to their earlier trend. However, in spite of this, I am anticipating this new book and will have it in my hands the day it hits the stand. Also, for anybody iterested, The Christ Clone Trilogy series is fantastic and readers of the Left Behind series will love these three books. I had to order them special after I tripped over a old review . They were written over 10 years ago. However, I noticed in BN a few weeks ago, they have been re-released in hard back. I can't recommend them enough. Everybody I have lent them to loved them. Talk about the edge of your seat!!!!!!!
  
  

• incredibly compelling despite flaws

  
  By A2FEGRJQNU51P9 on 2003-05-16
  Book 11 in the Left Behind series.

  When I began reading this book, I was a little hazy on what had happened in the previous books. I still remembered the major events, but some minor events of importance I was lost on. I didn't remember a couple of the characters (ones that had been recently introduced). After 50 pages I remembered what I needed to and the context filled me in on the rest and the story started to really get going.

  I've noticed complaints about the actions of some characters. The only one who I think acted out of character was Chloe. Her actions at the beginning of the book were both stupid, and I think a little out of character. It served the plot, though, so we can gloss over it. There were some surprises in character action near the end, but these were explained well enough that I don't feel as if they were misplaced.

  The usual complaints about the series apply to this book. The quality of writing is not that great, I still have problems with naming one of the primary characters "Buck", and much of the books seem to be heavy handed. However, when I'm reading the book I forget all about that and I can't put it down. There is something incredibly compelling about the Left Behind series. Maybe it is seeing God take such a prominent role in a popular novel. Maybe it is just how quickly and easily the series reads, but there is something about it that makes me want to keep reading and gets me involved in the story. Maybe it is God working through these books, if such a thing is possible.

  The story begins late in the Tribulation. A plague of darkness and pain is on the city of New Babylon, the capitol of the Anti-Christ, Nicolae Carpathia. There are questions of whether or not the Safe House is still safe and Chloe Steele-Williams gets captured by the GC (Global Community) troops. Believers must get out of New Babylon as God's further judgment is coming. As the book progresses, the story jumps several months and the final judgments from Revelation are unleashed. More than one major character is killed in this book, so there is some shakeup going on in the cast of characters. Which ones and in what way I will leave for the reader to find out.

  I am not blind to the flaws and faults of this series, but as I read the books, the flaws and faults simply do not matter. I won't pretend that these should win awards for the craft of writing, though. I think that one reason why the Left Behind books are so compelling (this one included) is that we get to see one possible interpretation of how the Book of Revelation may play out. I am a Christian, so I do believe that Revelation is true, but I don't claim to have any interpretation of it myself nor do I believe that this is necessarily the correct interpretation. It does help in imagining the End Times, though. The next book is to be the last book, and I am curious as to how Jenkins will write the second coming of Christ (LaHaye is the theologian, Jenkins the author).
  
  

• Grinding to a standstill
  By on 2003-05-22
  I accidentally stumbled upon Left Behing two years ago in an airport bookstore, since I needed something to read on the airplane. Coincidentally the Rapture occurs while Rayford is flying in a commercial jet. The story hooked me immensely, even though I am not a Christian and have very little Bible knowledge. I took the stories as easy to read, with fast moving plot lines with somewhat believable characters. What happened after the first five or six books is a mystery to me. From nearly counting the weeks till the next volume was released, by the time armageddon popped up, i only bought it by seeing it in the grocery store. The book was fairly awful from beginning to end. The endless pages of scripture and preaching were cumbersome and completely unoriginal. The characters did very little throughout the book that was new, unless it was stupid. The main characters at the beginning have completely changed into boring, if not dead shells of themselves. In the first three novels, Buck was an amazing character with fire and intelligence. Now he might as well be one of the mindless Carpathians. On a side note, did anyone else get botheres by the fact that Chaim and Buck met face to face with Carpathia (in book 7 or 8) and were not recognized? They were his two best friends for Pete's sake! I confess that I will buy the last book, and make LaHaye and Jenkins richer, but its for closure on my end, not because I hope to learn anything about Christianity. I can pick up a Bible and make my own interpretations of it. And if the authors do read these (which I'm sure they do not), can you guys please save a tree and single space your pages, and leave out the drawn-out scripture that will be skipped by most readers looking for the meat of your killed plotlines. This reminds me of when the Fonz jumped the shark on Happy Days. Time to retire this enterprise!!
  
  
• Fair book, Series is treading water
  By A1OZPESSSW946U on 2003-06-12
  I'm not sure if the authors have tired now and wish they hadn't planned on a series of twelve books or not. The last two books seem as if the authors have taken a small premise and stretched it so very thin almost to the point of breaking. The pattern of chopping scenes is becoming very tiring and cliched. When taken for so long, you feel as if you deserve a better reward at the end than you are getting. The climax is so abrupt and has become more disappointing with each book. Major character defections are going to make the next book probably more interesting than the last few, but then it almost has to be. I've enjoyed the series overall, but have been greatly disappointed by each of the last three.
  
  
• Boring...Boring
  By A4GBGJK7Z821D on 2003-06-10
  That's it for me! I have been reading the series since its inception and have had enough of the EXTENDED version. This book has been dragged out to earn MONEY, not reach Christians. What a joke! Instead of being stupid and buying the book this time, I borrowed it from my aunt! I put it down after 70 pages...same old stuff and more new characters. When authors' start describing an Apple in detail, they lost the essence. You sold us Out Jenkins & LaHaye.
  
  
• ARMAGEDDON -- the Left Behind world is almost ended
  By A1CUJ1289DOZVM on 2003-04-09
  Here it comes again: what I've previously referred to as the evangelical euphoria, wherein countless and ostensibly "crazed" evangelicals storm the bookstores for their copies of a recently-released Left Behind novel by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. In this case it's book number 11, Armageddon: The Cosmic Battle of the Ages.

  We all know the routine: the novel releases amongst much media fanfare, people everywhere buy the hardback and audiobooks, the book hits the Amazon.com, USA Today and New York Times fiction bestseller lists for a few months, and eventually the hoopla disintegrates only to be revived by the release of the next volume.

  Reviews of Armageddon will cover this approximate range:

  - Yes-yes-it's-the-best-ever-can't-wait-for-the-next-volume! ...

  - Just-okay-but-the authors are-really-really-pushing-it-with-this-twelve-book-thing ...

  - I-used-to-really-like-these-books-but-after-book-number-X-I-started-setting-fire-to-my-autographed-copies ...

  - This-is-horrible-theology,-just-horrible,-and-me-a-Christian-myself-and-all,-just-horrible ...

  - Not to mention the good-natured grumblings from the occasional irritable Atheist who can't believe a "religious fiction" series is stomping everything else in the fiction market.

  Armageddon resembles The Remnant more than any other series novel: unlike previous Left Behind installments, since Desecration plot has become more important than characters. Jenkins' aloof, severely journalistic obituary-like writing style hasn't changed. Some inappropriate humor is inserted in the most ridiculous places. And I fear I'm not the only one who can't get over a demon named "Cankerworm." Please, there should be a CBA-spearheaded petition to allow demon-naming rights to Frank Peretti alone. Clearly there are better ways to tribute the late C.S. Lewis ("The Screwtape Letters") than naming a demon "Cankerworm."

  Armageddon starts up right about where we left off, one year from the end of the 7-year Tribulation period. The prophesied fifth Vial Judgment has struck, and the Global Community capital city of New Babylon is plagued in solid darkness. Only believers can see, which makes for a convenient escape for amazing Chinese techno-kid Chang Wong who has been surviving in there as the info-gathering "mole" for Christians for way too long.

  Meanwhile the AntiChrist, who also keeps track of prophecy, is ready to amass armies for the final attack against Jews, Christ-followers, Muslims, and generally anybody else who doesn't exactly see eye-to-eye with him on issues.

  Readers will be weeping more of this novel than others, for author Jenkins, having kept everyone's favorite characters alive for years, is now obligated to "find [many of] them dead" all in one book. He writes about these awful circumstances with the emotional impact of a FedEx mailing form, yet for those who have followed many of these characters since their inception in late 1995, the impact will be devastating.

  What is also devastating is the "cliffhanger" -- which seems so notoriously contrived that after finishing the novel I set it down with a smirk rather than a gasp. But, Armageddon will do for now. Glorious Appearing should be good. But like the return of Christ ... well, I'm afraid the end of this series is truly only the beginning of what will follow.
  
  

• Keeps getting better...
  By A51LNB6NLFOWQ on 2003-04-10
  For all of you that have read the previous ten books, I'm sure you already have "Armageddon", if you don't, go ahead and order it, you'll love it. Personally, I think the original idea to stop with eight books in the series may have been a good one but unlike some titles before "Armageddon" this book does not drag too badly in any place. It's great, but if you haven't read any of them I highly recommend that you start with number one!
  
  
• this is a masterpiece!
  By A3GONIJHQ37GGX on 2003-04-11
  i cannot wait for the next book to arrive, the book starts off with not much action but then the pace picks up with chloe being captured, will she survive, will she be killed? that had me sprinting through half of the book, then there came the wild scampering all over the world as new babylon was destroyed and if things could not get more exciting, we are left with a cliff hanger wondering if rayford or buck died. great book indeed!
  
  
• One of the Best Installments Yet in the Left-Behind Series
  By A2K40JBQHJY1HH on 2003-04-11
  While many Christians have different ideas about exactly how the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will occur, there is a clear consensus that He IS returning. This book continues the powerful, evangelistic series of LaHaye and Jenkins, describing the experiences of the Tribulation Force leading up to the Battle of Armageddon. The word pictures are vivid, the characters are well-developed, and the plot is captivating. This series has compelled many persons to become disciples of Jesus Christ.

  I have read all of the published titles, and a few of the later volumes dragged in their pace. This edition returns to the original intensity of the earlier works. For persons who are familiar with the characters Rayford, Chloe, Buck, Tsion, etc., the twists and turns of this latest release should definitely NOT be missed!

  If you enjoyed the "Left Behind" series overall, you will LOVE this one!
  
  

• Get Ready, This Will Take Your Breath Away
  By A3E6L8BTQ4U41C on 2003-04-10
  I read this entire book in one sitting; I truly could not put it down. There are so many changes taking place with the Tribulation Force, the storyline grabs you from the beginning and keeps you transfixed. I don't want to give anything away, but get out your kleenex and steel yourself for more than one shocking loss......
  
  
• What a waste....
  By AVID8PBVRZ0IM on 2003-09-03
  This series has been one of the biggest disappointments I have had for awhile. Fairly poorly written in general, it just went down hill so far with popularity. These guys stretched it out to make money...more and more money (I hope they have used it to do the Lord's will). I beleive this series was pushed heavily as an evangelism tool and became popular because it was more fun to read than the other books trying to "save" people.
  If Christians or others would like to read quality books on fictional charachters and ideas with biblically inclined story lines, check out the Christ Clone series. These three books are so far beyond the Left Behind garbage. Left Behind may have gotten a 3 or 4 star rating it it were cut down to 3 books or so. How much can a story be tacked onto to extend for more $$?
  
  
• The Glorious Appearing
  By A1U0GAIHZ002HH on 2003-04-09
  This book was well worth a read, i was so excited in getting it the day it came out that i ended up finishing it in a few hours. If you are already an avid fan of this great series you will not be disappointed with the 11th installment, it has everything you are expecting and then some. Enjoy it.
  
  
• What cliffhanger? This'll throw you clean off!
  By A2UXHFW74Y5D0W on 2003-04-09
  Calling this latest in the Left Behind series a cliff hanger is like saying the Great Wall of China is long.

  Two members of the Trib Force stumble into fatal traps while Antichrist's arrogance builds to the imminent extinction of those in Jerusalem and the defenders of Petra. A book that will leave readers alternating between laughter, tension, and shouts of "No!"
  
  

• stick a pitchfork in it, its over.
  By A21IIDAK6HD067 on 2003-04-17
  They've lost it. Tim & Jerry had a GREAT gripping, and wonderful soap opera all the way up books 9, Remnant pretty much signaled to me they don't know what to do with the series. It was a poorly written book, with no real purpose other than to sell the series. Armageddon is *worse*, they don't know what to do with the stories. I *loved* the interactions in the earlier books, the land they set up in the earlier books was rich, and fun (as fun as the rapture can be), and really kept me reading. Now, as expected, humans cannot really imagine the end of times as we know it, and this book proves it. Virtually all the book is devoted to preaching, no story. Why couldn't they have done it like the earlier books?? Everything was integrated with a story, it actually made me pick up a bible, and read Ephesians -- this book is just... blah. We should start a petition to redo it, and Remnant for that matter. I'm really sad the series has gone to the wayside. I'll remain a solid fan of the previous books though.
  
  
• Ready for the finale!
  By on 2003-05-25
  ARMAGEDDON picks up where THE REMNANT left off, leaving us waiting for the glory of the Second Coming and the series to finally wrap up. I was a big fan of the series during the first several books. Although quite unrealistic in their approach, the Left Behind books present the tribulation in a serial form that is quite entertaining. But I'll have to agree with a number of other reviewers that the series has stretched on far too long, most likely to generate money. The past several editions have rehashed plot segments from previous books, helping to add text and pages to the newest installment. Certainly, they could have finished this series by now. If you're a fan of end times fiction, I suggest picking up the CHRIST CLONE TRILOGY. The plot's a bit more believable, and you only have three books to buy instead of twelve! Better yet is CONQUEST OF PARADISE which is only one book and presents the most realistic portrayal of the tribulation. CONQUEST OF PARADISE combines the page turning excitement of Left Behind with the technology and realism of IN HIS IMAGE, BIRTH OF AN AGE, and ACTS OF GOD. Readers would do far better to pick up these books instead. Since I've read this far, I'll most likely buy the last book in the series when it's released, but I'll do so skeptically. Despite this apprehension, I have to give ARMAGEDDON five stars because I like the genre, and especially this book which is one of the best in the series to date.
  
  
• The next to last battle!
  By A1A4DEENGHK51T on 2003-08-01
  Wow....... I have never seen so many bad reviews for any of the "Left Behind" books. But a good many people have taken the authors to task for this book.

  And I almost understand why they have. Unlike all 10 of the previous books, "Armageddon" did not capture me from the very beginning. There were many times during the course of reading the first half of the book that I wanted nothing more than for it to end.

  However, about halfway through the book my attention was finally captured and I was hooked for the remainder of the book.

  "Armageddon" begins where "The Remnant" left off, with New Babylon in total darkness. As Nicolae Carpathia prepares to move the upper levels of his one-world government out of New Babylon, the main Tribulation Force safe house in San Diego is in danger of being discovered, forcing the occupants to quickly flee to Petra and the safety the Lord provides there. Unfortunately, the relocation comes at the cost of Tribulation Force lives.

  As the battle of the ages begins, more Tribulation Force members will lose their lives, and another will be hanging to his life, literally. The final couple of days before Christ's Glorious Appearing will be radically altered for those who are left behind.

  And for those of you who are ready for the next (12th) book to be the last one in the series, I've got bad news for you. Several Christian news sources are reporting that the authors have decided to add a 13th book to the series, supposedly covering the final war between good and evil that will take place at the end of Christ's 1000-year reign on earth.

  I'll be looking forward to it.
  
  

• My least favorite so far of the series
  By AR3IXZM3MGPYY on 2003-09-13
  (Warning: some spoilers here. I will flag them.) Despite my impatience with the ongoing weeping and praying in each of the 10 previous books, I have found myself drawn in by the literal interpretation of the Rapture and the Tribulations. It's really been fascinating. Still, I agree with another reviewer that these books could have been condensed considerably; sometimes the conversation, and especially the preaching, is interminable.

  The characters have also lost considerable draw: Chloe is annoyingly argumentative and constantly putting the community in danger; Buck is less and less the dashing figure he was in the second book; Rayford waffles much too much to be taken seriously as a leadership figure. I'm still glad Hattie is gone. Everyone just seems to be getting less intelligent as the series moves along. Towards the end, everyone is worried about everyone else dying, while knowing that they have just days to be back together again.

  When Buck and others tried to dissuade Tsion from going to Jerusalem, I just wanted to smack them, frankly. Defending your beliefs, your faith, and your people should be shown as heroic, not as a study in fluttery agitation. These people are at war, for heaven's sake, and they know it. Yet they seem entirely unprepared, mentally, seven long years into the struggle.

  The more charismatic, intriguing characters, such as Mac and now Albie, died much too early. Why did Albie, such a savvy guy, not see his death coming? He knew the character; he should have seen it coming right when the tattoo was being applied--I did. And why, oh why, if Petra was invulnerable in the past, did bombs drop inside the enclave and end up whacking Rayford?

  Also, there hasn't been much contemplation on the part of the characters as to how they will deal with their former spouses when they all get back together on Earth. They know, already, that life is eternal and they'll be reunited. Isn't it adultery to have another relationship before then? I think the authors are trying too hard to show that Christians are human, with human sentiments and weaknesses. They are preaching to the converted (the majority of people who buy these books). I guess these books are more meant to be a rapid-fire adventure series, and in that, they often succeed. They are also meant to get the message of born-again Christians across to non-believers and to reaffirm it for believers, and in that, they also succeed.

  I wonder how it will all end? Oh yes, Jesus comes back and the forces of evil are defeated.

  I will read the last book, of course. Maybe some of my questions will be answered there.
  
  

• Enough with this series already!
  By on 2003-04-30
  I agree with a number of other reviewers that this series has stretched on way past where it should have stopped. The original Left Behind novel started off well, but it seems the length of the series was stretched by publishers who wanted to make as much money as possible and cash in on the series. I see no reason why "The Indwelling" and "Assassins" couldn't have been merged into a single book. A lot of what the authors put forward in the later books in the series is rehashed in previous books, like a television soap opera with Monday and Friday shows that mirror each other. Those still interested in reading well-written realistic scenarios of the apocalypse should read The Christ Clone Trilogy and Conquest of Paradise instead. Both those books were a lot more believable, and they didn't need twelve books to tell a good story about the Tribulation!
  
  
• The Final Countdown Has Begun
  By A2I6MHMAZZDCRX on 2003-05-01
  The final year of the tribulation has begun. Chang is hoping to use the oppressive darkness that has fallen on New Babylon to set up remote surveillance and then escape to Petra. The contingent in San Diego finds itself in danger when Global Community forces start nosing around their compound, compromising Chloe. But that's just the beginning. Carpathia is planning the ultimate battle combining all the world's forces in one final push to finally destroy the Judah-ites and others who still oppose him. What can the Tribulation Force do?

  Like the last book, this book starts out with lots of action that will keep you glued to your seat anxiously turning pages. There are several different storylines going, and the action jumps quickly from place to place. However, the last part really bothers me. While it was still interesting and action backed, almost all the characters starting doing things that made no logical sense given the previous few books. This led up to a final chapter that didn't need to happen. I guess the authors felt the pressure to have some action, and couldn't come up with anything else to do, but it left this long time fan disappointed. Also disappointing was the fact that several characters were given nothing to do. While the cast of characters has grown too huge to properly handle, several were only mentioned in passing, and I missed hearing from them. There's only a couple scenes with Carpathia and his henchmen (usually highlights of the books), but they are some of the best in the series. I especially liked the one where he announces his plans for the battle.

  The writing style no longer really bothers me when I sit down for these books. As always, there is nothing here that will change anyone's mind about the series. And those of us committed to finding out what happens next will read it no matter what. I'm looking forward to watching everything brought to a conclusion in the final book. If done correctly, this could be a finale that blows the other books out of the water.
  
  

• The Final Battle of the Ages Is About to Begin
  By A1F7CMDX6QDJVA on 2003-06-17
  'Armageddon,' book #11 of the 'Left Behind series' is coming to a close. It's coming to less than a year until the greatest final cosmic battle of the ages begins. Armageddon is the final stand between good versus evil. Led by AntiChrist Nicolae Carpathia the evil forces have mobilized an enormous army in the Middle East and the faithful of God seem to be outnumbered. The Tribulation Force (Rayford, Buck, Bruce and Chloe) struggle to stay alive until the Glorious Appearance (Second Coming) of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through their ordeal they push onto their mission to minister the gospel to as many souls as possible. Enduring this time is difficult when three friends are murdered [Revelation 17: 6]. A plague of Darkness falls on Carpathia's city of New Babylon, but nothing will stop him. Only now the Hope that is to come will keep the Tribulation Force through the trial of their lives. The same Hope that kept them alive throughout the Tribulation, their redemption is close at hand [Revelation 18: 5-24].
  

  
  (PERSONAL NOTE: Even though I've enjoyed the 'Left Behind series' I feel that somehow it could have been shorter. Maybe it could have been told in just half the time in six (6) books instead of the soon to be twelve (12) books. But then I could be just bias.)
  
  

• That will be enough guys....
  By AZBD8XZR721J6 on 2004-02-17
  Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Lahaye, please stop pumping out this crap. This is like a bad Michael Crichton/Clive Cussler series for southern fundie conservatives. You're making Americanized christianity into an even bigger joke than it already is.

  I have a Newsflash for you Left Behind fans: People of all cultures all over the world have been predicting the end of the world since the beginning, and you know what? It hasn't happened yet, nor will it happen for a long time, and it definitely isn't going to happen like this. The fate of the human race doesn't rest on Judeo-Christian beliefs anymore than it does on New Age ones. Give it up already.
  
  

• OK, Listen, I won't steer you wrong
  By A1R754POQNJO51 on 2004-03-03
  Most who like the Left Behind series will like this. That's not a good gauge of this book. I like the Left Behind series too, but let's face it... it's not the VERY BEST WRITING YOU'VE EVER READ. It's ok. It pleases us Christians. We love seeing sales of Christian fiction hit the New York Times lists where it must really steam those editors there.

  But I would tell you straight if I didn't like it. Here's an example... Books 2 through 10 were s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g this series FAR too much. Admit it! This would be better as 3 or 4 books! And some books really felt like filler books. We have to admit that if we are going to be listened to as reviewers of books within this series.

  Having said that...

  This was BY FAR the best book. Best written and most compelling.

  Many folks will downgrade these books because they are post-trib, post-mill non-rapture theology people. Yet, even if they read this book (they probably won't), they would say the story is the best-written to date and it is gripping... and let me tell you. So far, books 1 through 10 had cliffhanging endings that were not REALLY all that grabbing.... but this one... OH WOW I was stunned in the last few pages. Listen, THIS BOOK'S ENDING (and an incredible scene in the middle with a guillotine) WILL KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF!!! (Even Dr. Sock's sock for you Supergeddon fans! (Of which I'm also one.))
  
  

• Yes, Virginia, It's All About The Money
  By on 2003-04-25
  The more you read these books, the more you come to know that the LaJenkins Twins really don't have an idea what they are doing - nor do they have any real writing skills.

  Hm. Think about this for a moment - the series was originally going to be 7 or 8 books. Well, something interesting happened - they became bestsellers! So, what do our heroes do? They stretch out the series to somewhere around a dozen books to cash in! How spiritual of them!

  And it really shows. The padding on this book is unbelievable. There are over 390 pages here, but about 300 of them are pure fluff - you can almost hear the words squeak as Jenkins ssttrreeettcchhheesssss out the story to fill time (LaHaye didn't write a word of this, despite his name on the top of the masthead). He often repeats whole paragraphs verbatim!

  Astonishing. But, nothing really happens in this book until you hit page 250. I kept looking at the clock, wondering how long it was going to take until some real writing appeared. You have to dig deep to find it, though, becuase there isn't much there.

  The characters are so one-dimensional. This is book number 11, and we still don't know how these people operate, except for trite little passages that really don't let us in. Some reviewers compare the LaJenkins Twins to Clancey, but I think that's only in terms of sales, because the writing is certainly not up to Clancey's standards. Very thin and amateurish.

  I guess the Christian community is used to this kind of simple-minded henpecking (which, sadly, says more about the standards of Christian readers than it does about the writers, who would be laughed out of a real publisher's office with material like this). How sad.

  Well, the curtain has finally been pulled back, and the king stands revealed as a hollow man. Maybe there was nothing in this series after all; just fluff, smoke, and mirrors.

  One big, polished 500-pager could have done the job these 11 books have attempted. But then, the LaJenkins Twins and their publishers would have missed out on all that money. Which is what, in the end, this little fan dance is really all about, isn't it?
  
  

• Compromised Witness
  By A591IM573LQRB on 2003-05-02
  It seems that whole point of the Left Behind series was to portray in modern times how the Bible speaks of the last days. I thought the first few books of the series started out great. There was good character development that we could relate to. They were put in situations supported by scripture and fleshed out in exciting and innovative ways.

  But with ARMAGEDDON, we see immature writing, silly...almost PAINFUL dialogue, numerous cut scenes to add spacing, long winded and rambling conversations that added absolutely nothing...just to fill up the pages. But most disturbing was the use of Biblical scripture as FILLER. The authors would transplant whole pages of scripture without offering a real context, transition, or explanation. They reduced God's word to nothing more than empty calories to fill up a 400 page book. Shame on them.

  LaHaye and Jenkins have compromised their integrity and Christian witness by putting their name on such a poor product. There was an excellent opportunity to for Christians to use this series as a witnessing tool...but I would be embarrassed to us this. Too bad. I guess I'll just have to do it the old fashion way and pick up the Bible. (SMILE)
  
  

• One of the Best Left-Behind Books
  By A24QB5BF3B5A9S on 2003-07-09
  I am with those who agree that some of the Left-Behind books seemed to lag in the action--that is expected of a 12-book series on the end-times. However, Jenkins and Lahaye have delivered an absolutely thrilling spiritual masterpiece with Armageddon. For those who take the Bible literally and look forward to the events of Revelation, this book brings chills to the spine.

  Christian readers will especially enjoy the courage of Chloe as she faces execution. It really puts all of our faith in perspective. Often, we can get lost in the everday shuffle of things and lose sight of what it is we live and perhaps, die for.

  Another reason Armageddon is one of the most thrilling in the Left-Behind series is because it show the agony of a husband losing his wife, a child losing his mother, and a father losing his daughter. It shows the soft, human side of believers who are not too spiritual to mourn and yet it shows the hope of seeing our loved ones again on the other side.

  I was also intrigued by the incident with Albie. I thought it showed a oft-forgotten element of the post-rapture world: people who defy the antichrist and yet reject the real Christ. Armageddon shows that these people are the real mission field of the Rapture saints.

  Jenkins subtle plot twists and LaHaye's theology provide a powerful double-play combination, making this book one of the most potent of the Left-Behind series. It is my prayer that these books reach many for the Kingdom of Christ.
  
  

• My god! I think you are all mad.
  By A1EV2P1C8A1SB on 2003-04-30
  Trying to relate some nonsense fiction to the fates and realities of real living people is ludicrous. Either all of you guys are at the far left on the bell curve or you are misfortunate enough to have been raised as a fundamentalist.

  The bible was written by men and the koran was written by men. So please use your heads people and get in touch with reality.
  
  

• Sorry to say.
  By A28NDSUCLIABAY on 2003-12-16
  The last two books in this series have volumes of scripture in LaHayes and Jenkins attempt to use The Word as a way to create character development. They don't do a good job. I guess I am like the marathon runner. After spending so much time with the other books in the series, I felt forced to continue with the current edition.

  This book's ending was very poorly conceived. It felt like the bell rang in an exam and everyone had to put down their pencils. Like most good things, there is time to call it a night.
  
  

• Glorious Appearing (Left Behind)
• The Remnant: On the brink of Armageddon (Left Behind)
• Desecration: Antichrist Takes the Throne (Left Behind No. 9)
• Kingdom Come: The Final Victory: The Final Victory (Left Behind Sequel)
• The Mark: The Beast Rules the World (Left Behind No. 8)