5 comments about Desecration: Antichrist Takes the Throne (Left Behind No. 9).

1. From the very first letter of the alphabet that my eyes looked upon inside this series of books, until the very last period of the very last sentence, I was hooked. Each one of these books absorbed my attention like no other book has ever done in my life. Biblically sound, theatrically entertaining, and brilliantly written, the Left Behind books will inspire you to dig into God's word and take the pieces of news from your T.V. screen and match them right smack-dab up with the prophecies of the Bible. Your hair will stand up, your heart will race, and you will find yourself helplessly caught in the suspense. Once you finish one of these books, you will desperately race to your computer screen or your local library to pick up the next one!
   
   Carrie Lynn Jones
   Author of It All Began... When Jesus Gave Me Sneakers



2. Another one of those Christian Fictions that bespeaks doom and destruction for all who don't turn their lives over to Jesus. If you can get past the religious psychobabble, its a good book. Otherwise, Buddha is a much better choice and his followers are typically less intolerant and war-like.



3. It has taken me two months to read this book, it never takes me that long to read 1 freaking book. I had to force myself to read it and I was trying to finish this series by the end of the year, doesn't look like it's going to happen..The authors should be ashamed of themselves for milking people by dragging this story out. I hope they don't think they can take all the money with them. And I refused to pay full price of any of the books, so I'm not contributing to their wealth. Thank God for library book sales.



4. I've read this series over and over. It's a good easy reading and I think most of the books are good. I don't agree with the writer and the fundamentalist point of view. I don't see how you can get a whole theroy for a "Rapture event" out of one passage of scripture but, whatever. I'm a Chrstian, that's probably why I kind oflike these. But, this book in particular shows how whimpy a leader Raford Steele is. They should've put Albie in charge. He was willing to do what was necessary to get the job done. Steels only concern seems to be whether he can pull rank and be above others that really should be incharge. I find is VERY annoying they all refer to him as "Captain" Steele; leader in his own mind and the writers didn't do it justice. I know he's an airline captain but now they're giving it military significance. That's a stretch. He doesn't even want to arm his subordinates against the enemy. Freak! That and he thinks it's his call to tell them if they should defend themselves or just get slaughtered. It's a ludicrous idea. Thinking people, with faith or without, would neither follow a man like that or put up with him. I wouldn't. There were some good points to this book but it definately wasn't their best work. Chloe is as annoying as usual, a basic brat. The more I re-read the series the more aggrevated I get.



5. This is one of the later books in the Left Behind Series. Similar to all the others. Fortunately is a story in itself, so if you don't get the whole series you can still get a good read.

5 comments about Wristwatch Annual 2008: The Catalog of Producers, Models, and Specifications (Wristwatch Annual).

1. This has always been a great watch reference book with exceptional pictures but this year the pictures are way too small so there's no detail. Don't know if I'll purchase next year if they continue with the small picture style.



2. I have read the reviews here and have to disagree. How can anyone give this book just 1 star.
   Its a very nice book and has some great quality pictures. It does not have too much content but its not that sort of book, it is a 2008 catalog. The author has done a super job putting it togther.



3. If you like fine watches then this is a great book. It has a good range from almost all the major manufacturers and includes prices. Highly recommended.



4. This large book has a wealth of information on many watch types and styles, and primarily showcases a limited array of various manufacurer's offerings. Plenty of photos, and information on many brands, a few of which are very obscure and known to only a few true watch aficionados. Each listing, however, gives only a cursury history of the brand, and only a few of the watches they showcase. Helpful for the beginner, although most watches are financially out of reach for most people. A nice inclusion though is the addition of new brands, and rare watches they offer. Obviously not all manufacturers are included, or should be, and while the lack of certain brands and individual watches is frustrating at times, most people will be quite satisfied to drool over the many pictures and will undoubtedly come away from it with a broader knowledge and appreciation of horology.



5. Great compliation of wristwatches for those who want to know what's new to the wristwatch world. Great info on the manufacturers and their history.

5 comments about A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America.

1. This book was used in one of my undergrad courses and I was thrilled to have a book that filled in the blanks and expanded on the crap textbook makers such as McGraw Hill, et.al. publish to public school students. Our history, American history is watered-down and skewed in the textbooks. Thanks you Mr. Takaki for bringing truth to American history. This book made me want to explore different cultures more. To have learned that the Irish worked alongside Blacks in building railroads and in shipyards without major issues was mind-opening; to learn that the some of the first Blacks that were here in the U.S were indentured servants and not merely slaves was flooring; to learn that Native American tribes number more than Cherokee, Choctaw, Mohican, Seminole and Crow is fascinating and learning that stereotypes date long before Long John Silver. This book told me what I wanted to know and my junior high and high school history teachers couldn't. This book is becoming a part of my library (personal and professional).



2. If one were to write a history of any nation exclusively from the perspective of minority groups would it be a fair, complete and accurate portrait of that nation's story, character and culture? Probably not, but nonetheless you would have a penetrating look inside the world view of those who may get overlooked in the panoramic style of many history books. This is what you walk away with from Ronald Takaki's wonderful book `A Different Mirror'.
   
   The book is somewhat dated considering many newly published American history books include the tales of blacks, women, Indians, Jews and even gays but `A Different Mirror' remains valuable because Takaki provides nuggets of information about the contributions of particular groups that aren't well know but are important and deserve acknowledgement.
   
   A downside to this book, and it's serious, is that with the use of Shakespearean and other literary references, Takaki weaves a common thread of victimhood among all groups, suggesting that American society is nothing close to what it claims to be in the preamble of the Constitution. No society is perfect and though groups in America may have been exploited, America does not hold a monopoly on exploitation. Yet millions of minorities continue to rush into this nation for its distinct qualities that are rare and non-existent in other parts of the world. It would have enhanced Takaki's goal, which was to tell the stories of minority groups, if he didn't overlook the positive factors that compelled many to select this country.
   
   If you want an introduction into American history this shouldn't be the only book you read, but `A Different Mirror' is enjoyable and highly recommended for anyone who wants to get a fuller picture of the American story.



3. I hated this book. Needed it for a "multicultural awareness in education" class. It was boring, hard to follow, difficult to understand and written in some sort of "language" that only Einstein could comprehend.



4. I had to read this book for a class and write an essay on it. I gave this book two stars because it is informative. Otherwise, it's a book that makes "white" people look horrible. What about all of the other cultures that systematically perform atrocities on their people? If you want to feel guilty about being white, read this book. It is good to know the history in this book and to learn that these cultural-hate-crimes should not be repeated.



5. He gives some needed attention to different perspectives in American history. It is valuable, but I have problems. For one, he lumps Euro-American together too much as one monolithic bad group. Different socioeconomic, geographical and religious groups of Euro-American have responded much differently than his stereotype suggests. (such as Quaker efforts to fight against slavery and for the arrest of those who attacked Native Americans.)
   Also, this text comes in the context of a university system that won't allow similar texts about non-European civilizations. Virtually every literate civilization was sexist and, to one degree or other, oppressed and killed people who were different from the dominant male group (although usually not for racial reasons, I don't think that mattered much to the people these civilizations killed or oppressed.)
   I did an internet search of university classes--not one that I could find offered anything close to a critical evaluation of a non-Euro civilization. Evidence exists in abundance--for example Asian primary sources describe massacres of indigenous peoples during state expansion (as Euro-Americans did in American expansion) but these indigenous peoples never get a voice or more than a footnote in mainstream Western histories of Asia (although the facts are freely acknowledged in Asian histories of Asia.) Some Islamic imperialists, contrary to Western ivory tower beliefs, did massacre and oppress people because of their religion (as described by contemporary Muslim historians and accounts of their Zoroastrian, Jewish, Christian and Hindu victims.) Instead of acknowledging a real diversity of Muslim civilizations over time which ranged from enlightened to totalitarian, we get assigned books like "Good Muslim, Bad Muslim" which rationalize every unprovoked act of imperialism over the last 1,400 years. Europhile liberals even want to minimize some of what Europe did compared to what the United States did. The university itself won't be free of bias until we can actually see Empires like the Aztec and Assyrian analyzed not only by the view of the dominant male groups in those societies, but also by the women and conquered people, without the rationalizations currently employed. Multicultural historians don't seem to notice the irony that histories of these non-Euro empires have the same bias of having only one perspective that tradional American history books had. If anyone challenges this they cry "colonialist" just as older Euro-American historians would cry "unpatriotic" when their biases were being questioned.

5 comments about Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days (Left Behind No. 1).

1. The novel follows two mens' lives who have been transformed from the darkness of self-centeredness to the light of the Lord, and have vowed to warn the world. They are part of the "left behind", after the world has just befallen to the tribulation and the Anti-Christ begins his reign. The rest (which I think the authors gave too high a percentage) were swept off in the rapture, leaving all their articles where they once stood.
   
   The story is mediocre; the writing and characters are lacking in depth. It does have the unusualness to draw you in, and one almost has to fight the impulse of buying the next book in the series. The story did get better as it drew on.
   
   The problem with these interpretations of the Bible, which is called Dispensationalism or Millenniumism, is that LaHaye and Jenkins have taken literally what is meant to be taken in a figurative way----they have not allowed scripture to interpret scripture. They have also twisted the meaning of "born again".
   
   Even though the authors have misinterpreted scripture there is a message that comes through: faith in Christ and to repent now, before it is too late; there is no second chance as espoused here. Know what it is; read it as interesting fiction.
   
   Wish you well
   Scott



2. Leave this false rapture teaching behind. Read Carl Olson's "Will Catholics be left behind?" Totally debunks the "Rapture" and these books.



3. I loved the whole series... giving a modern spin on the old biblical prophocy. This one will stick out to me because of the two witnesses at the Wailing Wall. They are the most interesting characters in the series. I am now on number 4



4. Both Lahaye and Jenkins are primarily non-fiction writers.
   
   It is very difficult for a non-fiction writer to write fiction well. I have never seen it done well. You either end up with fiction and non that are superficial and bland (ala Asimov and Clarke) or non-fiction that is reasonable but fiction that is boring and uninteresting (ala Buckley or Steve Allen). These men join that list, though I would say their non-fiction works are equally dreary.
   
   It's because fiction is an art, non-fiction is not. It's the difference between framing a house or doing the intricate finish work. They both deal with wood-working, but one is production, the other is (or can be) an art. It is much more difficult for the framer to do the finish work if he's never done it before, much easier the other way around. And having read some of Jenkins and LeHaye's non-fiction, it is easy to see why their novels fall so far short.
   
   The success of this book--nay, the entire series--is no surprise. Christians don't read generally read fiction, and the fiction that is published as "Christian fiction" has been so hideously bad (except for the old standby's, Tolkein and Lewis) that when a Christian does read a novel it becomes, by default, the best thing they've ever read. It's like showing a man who grew up on a desert island any Adam Sandler movie. It will be, again, by default, the best movie he's ever seen. After viewing a few more films his taste must change. (If not, death must be considered.) The dilemma of the Christian concerning fiction is in finding something of quality that is not worldly. Since writers of any worth don't want to be stuck in the box of Christian fiction (from which no man escapes), good writers don't flock to that genre. Therefore, quality remains low.
   
   Christian writers of today can't write about realistic characters because they have either: a) have shut themselves off in a "spiritual" bubble from the rest of the world, or b) they feel that writing realistically about the world makes one "worldly." There is a balance, and it isn't hard to reach. But this book (and the entire series, as much as I could stomach reading) is below mediocre, i.e., in the forefront of Christian fiction.
   
   (A personal aside: I have met both of these men and they are personable and accessible. And my or anyone else's criticism will not affect their paychecks one iota. Still, creating a novel of quality is well beyond their combined talents.)



5. I could not put the first book down. I enjoyed all the characters and looked forward to each adventure. I ran through all 12 books in record time. If you are real serious then don't get the book. But if you like to read books that try to show the book of Revelations in a literal way and also explore the effects of the church being raptured then have fun. People have been talking about the rapture for years...and we are still here...so don't go selling all you have or running up the credit cards just yet. the books did help me more with having faith and about praying more. The Left Behind Series also made me get the Holy Bible out and read it more. In both cases that ends up being a good thing.

5 comments about The Samurai's Garden: A Novel.

1. A delightful story of a chinese teen, sent to japan on the eve of WW2 to recuperate after getting tuberculosis. He meets his father's servant who he gets to know and the locals, finding them friendly and welcoming even with the war. He finds the simple way of life, instead of being boring, fills his days and he is bereft when the war forces him to leave.
   
   A wonderful piece of prose, this haunting story of the simple people and their tragic lives is a page turner.



2. The plot of this book makes a terrific outline: A young Chinese man recuperating in Japan from tuberculosis while Japanese troops are slaughtering his Chinese contemporaries in the pre-World War Two invasion; a quiet but strong and wise caretaker who lives to rescue victims of leprosy, including a woman spurned by his best friend; a marriage crisis for the Chinese man's parents; a Romeo/Juliet type love story between the Chinese man and a young Japanese woman. Should be socko.
   
   Instead, it's sedating. Whether it's the passive nature of Stephen, the young Chinese man, or the very pedestrian writing style of the author, I found this book consistently tepid. She shows off her new knowledge about Japanese culture, giving detailed descriptions of every meal and every kimono.
   
   She tells the story through Stephen when the caretaker, Matsu, is the central character. Because Matsu is strong and silent, we don't get inside his character development.
   
   Nevertheless, it's an interesting look at Japan before WWII: religion, relationship and customs.



3. This story was simplistic and wonderful. I read it in two days and was mesmerized by the rich culture. The best book I've read in a long time



4. Pleasurable read. She has a nice flow to her writing, the story was interesting.



5. This book is beautifully written. The characters are complex and drawn with such skill and intimacy that by the end of the book you feel as though you have truly known each one of them and seen into a piece of their world. Moving and poignant, but not dark, the story and the characters will stay with you long after you finish the book.

5 comments about Complete Price Guide to Watches 2008 (Complete Price Guide to Watches).

1. The pictures are small black and whites, so bad they almost look drawn. The prices are inline with what 'SELLERS' would pay for a watch. The definitive guide to watches. Not very good, but where else are you gonna get this info.



2. One of the best watch books around, it basically plods along, virtually unchanged, year, after year. Except for price updates, and a new cover every year, this book is getting long in the tooth. My main problem is realistic pricing, which would not serve the authors, primarily Tom Engle, who is a high-end watch dealer. Many items are underpriced, in my opinion, and do not reflect real world pricing.



3. Use the book often in my work. A great addition. Thanks for the fast shipping.



4. A good source for information but to refer to the guide as "complete" would be streching it a bit.



5. I got this for my husband to use in our business. He says it's been very helpful. I got it to update his old one.

5 comments about Message in a Bottle.

1. I love Nicholas Sparks and all of his work, but this book was a little stale. It seemed like the same overdone story, and has the same elements as every overtold love story. But I love his writing techniques and word choices, and his use of imagrey is amazing. I will definately be re-reading this book.



2. If you have not read the book or seen the movie, I recommened seeing the movie first. It will help you when reading the book. I did not like the movie. I thought it moved to fast. Their were parts in there that just not needed.Plus the movie was a little slow. I LOVED THIS BOOK. It was so beautifully written. You could actually feel the love between Theresa and Garrett. THe book they see each other so many times. The movie, they only see each other about 3 times. The movie, her reason for going back to Wilmington, was to do reasearach on him, in the book, it was because she was intriguied by his feelings for his late wife. The end of the movie, was very diffent from the book. I will not give away what happens, but the movie did make me shed a tear. Book however I cried for about ten minutes. I highly highly recommened this book who is a hopeless romantic. Make sure that when you get to Chapter 13, you bring tissue, cause you will cry.



3. This book is ridiculous. I was bored out of my mind for the majority of it, and it didn't become even REMOTELY interesting until Garrett ripped Theresa a new one when he found his letters. But lets start from the beginning.
   
   First of all, throughout reading this book, I probably rolled my eyes over fifty times. Did Sparks really think that the dialogue between Theresa and Garrett was "cute" or "romantic"? It seemed more like he was trying to make it as nausiating as possible. They used so many cliches in their baby talk I wanted to blow my brains out. And don't even get me started on that "you're so perfect" babble in the bathtub.
   
   Second, both characters are complete morons. Theresa is an idiot for getting in a relationship with a guy she already knew was obsessed with his deseased wife. Garrett was obviously using her to try and get over it. And then she had the nerve to complain about it later when she was fully aware that she what she was getting involved with? And then Garret, ugh, his whining and analyzing was seriously annoying. There's only one explanation for them jumping into bed after the second freakin' date. Garrett was getting so much pressure from his dad to move on that he wanted to speed the process along. And Theresa was jsut excited to be sleeping with the guy who wrote those oh so heartbreaking letters. God, I hated them both.
   
   Pretty soon, I couldn't WAIT for one of them to die. I knew it was going to happen since the book was supposed to be a "tearjerker," and I was anticipating it. At first I thought it would be Theresa since having it be Garrett would be rather predictable and nausiating. So obviously it DID end up being him. And why was with it raining all the time whenever something sad happens? I understand it was neccessary for one of the to finally die, but I thought since it happened with Theresa broke up with him, she would end up dying in a plane accident or something thanks to the weather. So why didn't it happen? What was the point of that stupid rain at such a convenient time? Why does every sad love scene have to involve RAIN?
   
   I cannot even begin to understand why this book is so loved.



4. (Contains spoilers)
   
   I sobbed with this book, enough to actually throw it across the bed. I felt her pain in the end, and it was all so terrible wrong. I hate the ending with a passion. To hell with the dramatic effect his death brought on... I'd rather be stuck in my tiny bubble of unrealistic fantasies than read that ending thoroughly. It was just a punch in the chest when I read the last letter he wrote to Theresa... to know that he wanted her, loved her, wanted to have children with her and... Oh god! The pain! I feel it!
   
   I am only 16, and have never felt what true love is like, and if when he goes it'll be this painful, I'm not entirely sure I'd be able to go on, as Garret went on when Catherine died. I would feel empty. That's if I ever find true love... *smiles*
   Maybe... I'm getting melodramatic and absurd about all this, but this book really left me cowering in the bathroom crying in whispers as to not wake up my sleeping mother.
   
   It is unbelievable, the emotions that this book has stirred in me. I feel weak, with hurt, and compassion, and simply curse to Mother Nature for brining up the storm that lead to his death.
   
   I feel so pathetic. My waterworks have turned into pointless sobs. I can't bring myself to finish the damn book. It's too painful. You'd almost think that I myself have lost someone... I felt what Theresa felt. I understood how he felt when his wife Catherine died, and like both of them, I feel grief and utter agony. It'll pass these feelings of mine, but today I can't sleep.
   
   I think this book deserves in my eyes a happier ending for them both. The book is supposed to teach you about true love once again and how it's timeless and everlasting. OH BALONEA! It's a tragedy. An excruciating, heart wrenching tragedy.
   
   ........................................................................
   
   Ok so I brought myself to read the ending. Her letter left a huge impact on me. It had truth, yet... all of me is screaming! Screaming at the author, at Theresa, at Garret! I feel like they both deserved each other and that..... OH! The agony!
   
   
   I recommend this book greatly, because as much as I try to deny it, it does teach you certain lessons. I just have to learn how to cope with what has will one day be taken from me. And...
   
   Ok, just read it. It is truly beautiful.



5. I love the story because I love the plot of this story. The book is far more bewitching than the movie. If people just being simple and contributed for their lovers, may it will lead to the happiness. Whoever you are, a love loser, a divorced woman, a widower, walk out of your past and be acceptable. Believe God has other plans for you.
   
   Every step in your life will give you much more benifit for your future life, it's all about treasure, don't dwell on it. Move on!

5 comments about Armageddon (Left Behind #11).

1. I thought this book was very well written,very detailed to what is written in the book of Revelation.I now have 12 books that the authors have written and in my opinion they are without a doubt the best books I have ever read.Please get a copy and read it!



2. Another one of those Christian Fictions that bespeaks doom and destruction for all who don't turn their lives over to Jesus. If you can get past the religious psychobabble, its a good book. Otherwise, Buddha is a much better choice and his followers are typically less intolerant and war-like.
   
   More religious intolerance masked in fiction.



3. My oh my oh my, this as is the rest of this series is beautiful book. It paints a realistic view of what could happen in a world lost. I actually saw and heard the events and characters. This book fits into the storyline with ease and leaves one screaming for. This is part of a tale that will make you want to go back to the beging of the series if you missed any of it. However it can also sevive as a stand alone story. I recomend this book for any avid reader. It's the kind of book you may find hard to put down once you start reading it. You may also find yourself reading it again and again.



4. This is one of the later books in the Left Behind Series. Similar to all the others. Fortunately is a story in itself, so if you don't get the whole series you can still get a good read.



5. This book is definitely one of my favorites of the series. I just love how Dr. LaHaye and Mr. Jenkins take so much scripture and turn it into a very fascinating fictional story that is highly based on truth. This book was a great and easy read much like the rest of the books I've read in the series so far.

5 comments about National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders (Audubon Society Field Guide).

1. Good quality, very comprehensive book with great color pictures. It could benefit from telling you if the creatires pose any threat to humans or are poisonous, as that's why I bought it!



2. As with all the Audubon Field Guides, so with this one: The color photos are the best of the guides; the durable construction with leatherette cover is very good; and the information is generally accurate and descriptive. The index is organized to cross refererence the color plates with the descriptions - it's pretty straight forward when looking up a bug. Yet, the summaries, as in all the Audubon books, are just too brief; this may be the most glaring of its deficiencies. Any future edition could use a fleshing out on the details.
   
   The Audubon books are better than the Stokes and Peterson guides. As a general all round guide, these books have a place in any naturalist's library.
   
   Extracts: A Field Guide for Iconoclasts
   
   The Cloud Reckoner
   



3. Absolutely wonderful !!! my dinnette has windows to the West and North, and every morning while having my coffee I find myself referring to it as the butterflies and bees and birds share my lovely flowering trees and bushes...along with the ground squirrels, chip monks, rabbits and multiple birds.....if people could only take their example, it could be a better world.



4. Very informative like all the Audobon Guides, and lots of photos, which really helps. Only caveat is that I'd like to see them have several volumes to cover ALL insects in North America, as there are too many to cover in just this one guide. Although I am aware that they have separate guides for butterflies.



5. I refer to it at least a couple of times a week & recommend it to any other amateur. Bought this copy for my nephew, who also loves it. The illustrations & information may not impress an expert, but I find it well-organized & easy to use. I've never seen an insect that I couldn't identify by using it (tho' I live in LA, not exactly the insect capital of the world). Also-the photos are gorgeous!

5 comments about The Remnant: On the brink of Armageddon (Left Behind).

1. Another one of those Christian Fictions that bespeaks doom and destruction for all who don't turn their lives over to Jesus. If you can get past the religious psychobabble, its a good book. Otherwise, Buddha is a much better choice and his followers are typically less intolerant and war-like.



2. I am so bogged down with this series it has taken forever to get this far and I hope as i've said before that I finish these books before Jesus comes back. I'm sick of Chloe who should be at home taking care of her child instead of running around impersonating GC. And I'm just about tired of everyone else too. The ones you want to stay end up getting killed off and the were left with only the Trib Force. whatever.



3. This is a great book, although you do need to have read the previous books for the set, it's a great book :)



4. This is one of the books in the Left Behind Series. Similar to all the others. Fortunately is a story in itself, so if you don't get the whole series you can still get a good read.



5. Bloodline The first in a wonderful series. Frighteningly real it jolts you into considering the future. Excellent story!