The Rising by Jerry B. Jenkins, Tim Lahaye (2005, Hardcover)

We learn about Nicolae's mother, Marilena (who's name means bitter), and her strong desire to bear a child. She attends spiritual meetings and is courted by Satan to bear a child for the cause. She is also visited by God who urges her to turn from evil. She chooses to have the child believing that her love for the child will be returned. A spiritualist, Viv helps her to raise him and appears to bond closer to him than his mother. We get insights into Nicholae's childhood and his early development of manipulation of children. We also get to see Steele's background including childhood and his great desire to become a pilot. We see his college years, a sorta fiancé, and his desire to own things. Nicholae mimics many of Jesus' trials. Marileana finally discovers some of the truths about this child too late. She pleas for God's forgiveness, is she too late?. The book ends with Irene being introduced to a Bible believing church.

I was on EBAY lokking for some books when I came across this book. It was the Best book I've read this year. I couldn't put it down.The book goes into detail on how the left behind series started. I read the whole book in a week.It has been a while since I have done that. The writer realy keeps you intrested to see what happens next. If you like the left behind books you will love this book. It lets you see why Ray is who he is and how Nicoli was brought about. I was told it is a three book story so I am looking forward to reading the other two. It left me wanting more. 5 stars to the writers May GOD continue to bless you.

I HAVE READ THE REST OF THE LEFT BEHIND SERIES AND BOUGHT THIS TO CONTINUE WITH THEM....I WAS ENGROSSED AS USUAL AND FINISHED THE BOOK IN THREE DAYS....NOT QUITE THE SAME AS THE SERIES BUT WAS A FUN READ.

This is Book 13 in the Left Behind "saga"...It is kind of like the "First shall be last" theory, in that, this book heralds the "Birth" of the anti-christ, Nicolae Carpathia....the great adversary of the world. After you have read this far, it makes sense to the reader why this book had to wait until now...At first I wondered why until I got into it a little, and then it made sense. It just wouldn't have worked if the authors had made it "book 1". Having it be book 13 it ties the whole story together very nicely and now everything makes a whole lot more sense. These books are fast moving and very exciting. I am finding I don't want them to end. I wish there were more than 15!

I am a fan of the "Left Behind" series, and decided to start reading the prequel. For some reason, I found a few of the first sections difficult to read (very wordy and using "big" words). But after about the second chapter, it seemed to read very smoothly (it might have been me trying to get into the swing of non-fiction reading again). Either way, I absolutely loved it...I had a very difficult time putting it down, and looked forward to the times when I could just sit and read it. I am eagerly looking to buy the next two books - The Regime and the Rapture!

I really enjoyed this book and the explaination of how Nicoli came to be. I would recommend starting with this book now before reading the rest of the series and if you have previously read the series go back and read the three prequals.

I liked this book very much. It makes you think about your life and where it is going. Marilena personality, Nicolae's mother, seem so really you feel like calling her and helping her out, not sure if she would listen, see! so real. I learned do not rush into making a decision. I have read all 12 of the Left Behind series, but this one book really got to me. It the kind of book you will read a second time.

I had read the whole Left Behind series and enjoyed them very much so I was pleased to see a prequel to the series. Even though the prequel was written after the series, which seems a little backwards, I still enjoyed learning about the characters before they were in the series. I think it gave more depth to the characters and helped explain why they reacted to events the way they did. In this case, the prequel after the series actually worked and the authors did a fabulous job. I am going to re-read all the books and I am sure I will enjoy them as much or more the second time around.

Excelent read in conjuction with the other books by Jenkins and Lahaye.
Makes you really think about what is happening in the world today.
Answeres the questions about before we were "Left Behind".

The book is a good book for those who know the God is the one true God and that the devil was cast from heaven for wath he tried to do. the book delves into the result of ones spiritually and what happens to one if he should follow a path other than that God has provided. I think that any one who reads this book should also have a good firm belief in God and Jesus Christ. It shows that yes the devil can and will give a person what they might be looking for but at a great expense to their life or family. This what I liked about the book.
What I did not like was the explored nature of how a person can come involved with the devil.
This was a great book to read and yes I would encourage other believers to read it. I really like the left Behind books and hope to get more of them as they come avaible.

In my opinion any book by LaHaye and Jenkins is a good book. I decided to buuy it because I already have the set "Left Behind" and wanted to start the prequal books.

I read this bood right after reciving it, IT was awsome, I could not put it down!! I will be looking for more books like it in the future and books I do not already own by the authors.
The transaction on the purchase of this book was excellent!! and I will buy from the seller again in the future!

I have been collecting this series of books for a few years. I would recommend this to be excellent reading material. Great buy for the price.

Another great one in the series, gives you background in the begining of the characters we read about in the original. A must for any Left Behind fan !

Another book in the Left Behind Series. My first encounter with ebay and I'm lovin' it. Wish I had more time to spend just browsing.

I found the Rapture and The Glorious Appearing in a box of free books. I read the Rapture first, which was the third prequel book, then I read the Tribulation Force through The Remnant. But I wanted to know more about the characters in the beginning. So I purchased The Rising which was the first prequel book and the Left Behind which was the first book in the series. I do have Armageddon, but I don't want to read that one until I have read The Regime, which was the second prequil book, which I have purchased on eBay on 11/06/2009. Then I will be caught up on the series except to finish reading the last two books in the series. I am not too much of a reading buff, but this Left Behind series was well written and every book held your interest and ended in such a way, where you just had to get the next book in the series and start reading it right away. Other then the two books I got for free, I purchased the rest of the books on eBay and got a very good buy on each one.

IT IS VERY INTERESTING TO FILL IN SOME BLANK SPOTS AFTER READING THE WHOLE SERIES OF THE LAST DAYS BY JENKINS AND HAYES. LEFT BEHIND IS A GREAT SERIES.

The whole series is engaging and very interesting.
Good fiction that Christians can read without worrying about what
might "pop up" on a page. Inspires one to get out the Bible and study what's coming.

Very entertaining and a very good read!I started the series several years ago and am just now having the time to read the rest. With the times the way they are the books really make you think.

I bought this book for my grandson. It is a very good book to help him have an idea of what is coming in the last days.
I like the book because it is written to captivate a reader as they learn of factual events to come.