A Rift in Time (The Livingstone Chronicles, No. 1) [Hardcover]

Michael Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 17, 1997

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A Rift in Time is an archeological thriller from best-selling fiction author Michael Phillips. Adam Livingstone, a British archeologist, makes a major discovery that sets off ripples in the scientific community around the world. As people debate whether the discovery is indeed Noah's Ark, Adam Livingstone is led to a particularly compelling theory regarding another major finding that will dwarf the discovery of Noah's Ark.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Prolific author Phillips (A Dangerous Love, LJ 4/1/97) turns away from historical sagas with this new novel. Archaeologist Adam Livingstone makes the discovery of a lifetime when he finds evidence of the existence of Noah's Ark. Though ambivalent about religion, Adam soon is encouraged to start rethinking his attitudes toward God, especially after he meets his housekeeper's niece Juliet Halsay. Juliet is living with her aunt and slowly recovering from the aftereffects of a terrorist bombing that killed her father and brother. To Juliet's horror, it soon appears that a terrorist group is now targeting Adam. Together, the two investigate the group, which appears to want Adam to stop finding more proof of the Bible's truth. Although some of the characters tend toward the stereotypical, this exciting thriller should still appeal to most readers. Recommended.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 604 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers; First Edition edition (October 17, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0842355251
• ISBN-13: 978-0842355254
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #960,361 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

In 1970, while students at Humboldt State University, Mike and Judy Phillips began what would become the One Way BookShop as a small, informal source of Christian books and materials for their fellow students. Over the next two decades God prospered those small beginnings, and now the bookstore is a thriving part of the Humboldt County Christian community.

Mike's first published book was about his wife's pregnancy and the birth of their twin sons. After several more nonfiction titles, Mike undertook a lifelong dream to renew the popularity of Scottish writer George MacDonald, whose teachings had been central to Mike and Judy's spiritual growth. Mike began editing some of MacDonald's lengthy novels, heavy with Scottish brogue, into shorter and more readable editions, with some of the work being done right at the bookstore counter between customers.

Through the years, God has continued to guide Mike in the production of books emphasizing strong spiritual values and unforgettable characters. In addition to being best sellers in Christian bookstores all across the country, Mike's books have been offered through several book clubs, have been translated into a number of foreign languages, and have been published in over 120 editions in all, with sales of over 3 million. Mike is today recognized as one of the Christian bookselling industry's most prolific and versatile authors.

Family is very important to Mike. He and his wife, Judy, have taught their three sons, Patrick, Robin, and Gregory, at home throughout their education. Home schooling enables the family to frequently accompany Mike in his work-related travels.

It has always been Mike's desire in his writing that all who read his books will find a closer and more real walk with God through the characters and stories. Both he and Judy enjoy responses from readers and find great encouragement from the letters they receive.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WARNING! You won't be able to put it down!, August 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Rift in Time (The Livingstone Chronicles, No. 1) (Hardcover)

Don't read this book, unless you have time to devote to it. It will put a huge rift in your personal time ... because it is one of those books that you simply can not put down! You find yourself lost in its characters ... and its theories and ideas. From its central characters to the new-age villains, you are entrapped in a world of discovery, suspense, and even a touch of romance. I loved it, and can't wait to read more of Michael Phillips works!

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book!, May 18, 2000

By 

SM "sm-1" (Washington, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Rift in Time (The Livingstone Chronicles, No. 1) (Hardcover)

A wonderful story about the finding of Noah's Ark and the search for the Garden of Eden. I was totally enthralled and found it hard to put down, even very late at night when I should have been sleeping. It will make you stop and think about God, and you'll find yourself looking items up in your bible to really try to understand the theories this book is proposing. With a dash of romance to keep you smiling, this book is a must read that you will really enjoy. I'm looking forward to the release of the next book in the series.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A rift in believability--but still entertaining, August 7, 2000

By 

Tom Hinkle (Tulsa, OK USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rift in Time (The Livingstone Chronicles #1) (Paperback)

Like most readers, I found the theories embodied in this book concerning the location of the Garden of Eden and its connection with Mt. Sinai/Horeb to be fascinating and somewhat plausible. The reflowering of the Garden of Eden in the end days? Well--kind of a stretch, but I won't say it couldn't happen. I did appreciate a little different take on the end times chronology. What I found hard to swallow centers around two different areas.

1. The author seems to subscibe to a conspiracy theory which traces all evildoings on the world scene back to a small group of people. Whether you call them the Illuminati, the Trilateral Commission, or whatever, I have a hard time believing that a gathering of 12 new-age wackos have all the power. I used to be a conspiracy buff, but I think the "new-age agenda", if you want to call it that, is much more disorganized and chaotic than is portrayed, even with the one loose cannon that causes the most trouble in the novel. It makes for exciting reading to have such an open, frontal attack on the archaeologist and his team, but I think the devil works in much more subtle ways, through discrediting the discoveries, for example. I don't believe that the discovery of Noah's Ark or the Garden of Eden would bring a massive religious revival, anyway. Some won't believe even with the evidence staring them in the face.

2. Adam Livingstone, the main character in the novel, puzzled me somewhat. Livingstone, before he gets saved (I don't think I'm giving anything away, it's obvious that will happen from the beginning, and, hey, this is a book for the Christian market, after all) seems to have a curious interest in proving the Bible accounts are true, even before he believes them himself. In addition, for such a swashbuckling, debonair, single world-wide celebrity he seems to live a squeaky-clean, wholesome life, even keeping his girlfriend at arms' length (It's pretty clear there was no hanky-panky going on). It was not too big a turnaround, it seems, for him to become a Christian, he acted like one practically through the whole book. I guess the Christian market prefers blatant, sinister evil wrapped up in a new-age package to simple hedonism. Plus, the idea of a celebrity archaeologist is peculiar. How many people can name even one modern archaeologist?

This is not to say the book is not a good read, because it is. It is exciting and tense, and would make a better movie, in the right hands, than the lame "Omega Code". Genesis fascinates me more than the book of Revelation, anyway, and there is a lot concerning ancient world here. So I give it a thumbs up, with reservations.