13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Babylon Stumbling (out of the gate)?, January 1, 2004
An OK read overall, but not up to par with Mr. LaHaye's other works. This series has potential, but it needs to fine tune some aspects of the writing. For example:
1) Michael Murphy, our hero, is a real Renaissance man. He's really, really, really smart; he relates well to the kids (in his Biblical archeology class); he's a wonderful husband; buff and tough enough to whup up on a big, nasty, slobbering lion; a dead-eye shot with a compound bow; and blessed with the talent of solving multiple inpenetrable mysteries buried in desert sands for 2,500 years in a single minute. Yes, this Action Hero does everything but sing like his musical namesake (we think).
Any weaknesses? Oh yeah, he's got a thing for risking his life, career and pride at the whim of the mysterious "Methuselah" to gather archeological treasures which could prove events in the Bible really happened. Fortunately, our hero's biggest challenge in the first half of the book is withstanding his Just As Smart And Independent wife's withering anti-machismo comments and first-aid treatment after besting Methuselah's challenges.
Oh yes, he doesn't shave for a few days after his wife's tragic death, and is a little ticked at God. But a quick confessional to his congregation, and he gets over it.
I like to engage my suspension of belief when I read fiction, but this was too much. Come on, the woman he intended to invest the next 50-60 years (and maybe planned a family with) is gone. It's not something you just get over -- you learn to live with it.
The elements are there -- just don't make him a superhero. Rayford Steele of the Left Behind books is a great example of a more balanced (and human) protagonist.
2) Methuselah. Mysterious dude (always in the shadows) gets his jollies by getting Murphy to fall into one of his elaborate traps. Soooo, what will he do for fun if Murphy bites the big one? Get a relative of Louis Leakey?
Well, Methuselah's Lion King bit (ha ha!) does establish Murphy as a Man Of Action, unlike that wimpy college dean. But please don't bring this character back.
3) Dean Fallworth, Unbelieving Head Weenie. I kept visualizing the college dean of the Nutty Professor movies when I read the book. Do college deans drop dimes on their professors like that on national TV?
4) Stacy, the Up And Coming News Reporter. Sells her soul (literally) to get her Big Break. Never read that cliche before...
5) Steve Barrington, the Soulless TV Mogul. Hey, just go ahead and name this guy Ted Turner already! OK, guess you can't since Jane Fonda isn't in the novel. Oh, wait, there is Stacy...
6) The lesson that teaches that Archeological Digs Really Don't Require Mountains Of Paperwork And Red Tape -- just call that pal from grad school, and you'll dig up that artifact and be on to the next pyramid in time for corn flakes! And don't forget the unlikely -- but stunning -- bookworm who speaks long-dead languages. Never know when you'll need her to rescue you from sinister zombie sacrificers.
OK, there are some very promising aspects to this book (and series).
Talon is a very scary adversary, unlike the straw man Global Community people in the Left Behind books. The falcons are an interesting touch (ouch!). A little more character development in the next book.
"Christian Terrorists" theme -- One reviewer didn't think it's plausible that the media would portray Christians in that manner. I don't believe all media would do that, but many would. I've lost count of people who claim religion -- and Christianity -- is the reason we have so much strife in the world. I could go on about how our media demonstrate how tolerant we should be of other religions but will interview anyone who tries to debunk Biblical "myths", such as the divinity of Jesus, the Flood, etc.
Archeological/historical aspects -- Very interesting and innovative premise. I remember reading about the Brazen Serpent and the Golden Head, but never thought of a possible connection between the two. Great lesson.
Other positive aspects included the pacing (a LaHaye and Dinallo trademark -- I also read Dinallo's "Final Answers"), unexpected twists and loose ends.
I look forward to the second book, but please give the central characters more dimension.
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22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Completely Engrossing Supernatural Adventure, January 23, 2004
After working on eleven books in the phenomenal Left Behind series, you might think that Tim LaHaye would relax a bit. Instead he has found another writing partner, Greg Dinallo, and has begun a new series of thrillers starting with BABYLON RISING. Dr. LaHaye says that he is more excited about this than any of the other books he has ever written. That's quite a comment from the author of more than forty books, including the Left Behind series that has sold over 60 million copies! But within the first few pages of BABYLON RISING, the reader will begin to share his enthusiasm and become totally engrossed in this supernatural adventure.
Michael Murphy teaches Biblical Archaeology and Prophecy at Preston College --- not exactly an "A" list course. To enhance his classroom lectures and satisfy his desire to authenticate the Bible, he seeks and uncovers ancient artifacts that are directly tied to Biblical events. This scholar/adventurer image makes him somewhat of a campus hero and students flock to hear him bring the Bible to life.
For the reader's enlightenment, chapters are interspersed with the story of King Nebuchadnezzer, the world's most powerful ruler, and Daniel, the young Israeli slave who fearlessly interprets the King's dreams. This writing technique serves to underscore the role that faith plays in the lives of people throughout history. Faith that allows a young slave to stand fearlessly before the most powerful man on earth and tell him the hard truth, knowing that his God will protect him regardless of the King's reaction. Faith that allows a small-town college professor to stand up to evil forces in order to unearth ancient Biblical artifacts that glorify God, the enemy of evil.
While Michael Murphy is busy with his latest find, there are those who want to discredit him, his faith and his God. The evil ones are powerful and have the ability to captivate, intimidate and seduce the weak and the greedy into service for the Enemy. With the help of a reporter and a ruthless mogul they begin a campaign to destroy the credibility of Christians everywhere. These supernatural beings take on different forms, moving swiftly to accomplish their evil deeds, and soon the headlines are full of stories about Christians threatening to blow up the United Nations, building bomb factories in church basements, and killing those who get in their way.
The story moves at a rapid clip, with short chapters that carry the reader from one set of protagonists to another and back in time to the court of Nebuchadnezzer. There is enough action to satisfy the most avid adventure fans, humor and romance, likable characters to cheer for and evil villains to hate. But even more exciting, we have a new series to look forward to that unapologetically offers moral and philosophical anchors --- a series that elevates both man and God and is not afraid to depict the chilling aspects of evil.
--- Reviewed by Maggie Harding
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