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The Last Day
by Glenn Kleier (Reader: Rene Auberjonois)
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Hachette Audio (1997-12-01)
ISBN: 1570425493
EAN: 9781570425493
UPC: 070993254940
Dewy Decimal #: 813.54
Audio Cassette
SKU: MOZ124542
Condition: New
Comments: 1570425493 This audio book is in brand new condition and shows no apparent wear or use of any kind; gift quality, pretty. Your book will be carefully protected for transit in sturdy, weather-resistant packaging. We are prompt, efficient, communicative.
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
It is one second before midnight 1999. Cynical TV correspondent John Feldman is stationed in Jerusalem, ready to report on the letdown of the century--he firmly believes nothing momentous could possibly happen. Yet his world is rocked when something does indeed happen--a geological event of staggering proportions. Then come reports of a miraculous woman--one whose arrival promises to change the world, and John's life, forever. Simultaneous hardcover release from Warner Books. 3 cassettes.
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Amazon.com Review
Just in time for the millennium, Glenn Kleier mixes bioengineering and religion, miracles and modern warfare, politics and physics to produce a gripping tale set in the Middle East at the dawn of the 21st century. When a mysterious explosion destroys a top-secret laboratory in the Negev desert on Christmas Day 1999, Jonathan Feldman, a reporter, isn't satisfied with the official explanation. Neither is the Vatican, nor an American fundamentalist preacher, nor the patriarch of the Jehovah's Witnesses, all of whom believe that Armageddon may truly be at hand. After a New Year's Eve earthquake strikes the temple at the Well of David and a mysterious figure appears in the ruins, strange things begin to happen. Reports of miracles filter in from throughout the region, and the legend of Jeza takes on a life of its own. When the young miracle worker chooses Jonathan to connect her to the world and broadcast her warning of the cataclysm to come, the world's religious leaders are plunged into conflict. Seeking to discredit her, they spread the secret of her high-tech, bioengineered birth. But their actions backfire; Jeza's influence grows. Holy wars break out in the Middle East and chaos erupts all over the world. As Easter 2000 approaches, the political situation grows even more tense: Will there be another crucifixion, another resurrection? Kleier handles this complicated plot with ease, and fans of futuristic thrillers won't be disappointed. --Jane Adams
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Customer Reviews
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Disjointed storytelling
Rating  (1)
Date: 2007-05-06
2 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
This book came highly recommended to me, and by the virtue of the glowing reviews here on Amazon, I thought this story would be riveting, interesting, and worth the time it would take to read it. Unfortunately, that's not what happened as I trudged through to the end of this book.
This book is already quite dated - we miraculously survived the turning of the new millenium without so much as a cosmic peep, and much more horrific things have happened since that time. The story takes us through the events leading up to January 1, 2000, with a fantastic explosion, a mysterious, covert experiment, and an even more mysterious young woman who may or may not be the messiah. What ensues is chaos as the world begins to divide itself into the "we believe she's the messiah" and "we think it's a hoax" camps of thought.
First, I like that the author brings in the media frenzy that would undoubtedly occur with this type of event. However, the fact that it took what felt like about 5 minutes for everyone in the world to take a side on the messiah issue was far too forced and unbelievable. In short, although I can read almost anything and find something to like about it, I was bored by this story. The characters were very one-dimensional, the action seemed forced, and I never read anything that had me on the edge of my seat. In fact, if this book had not been recommended to me by a fellow book lover, I doubt I would have finished it at all.
Based on all the positive reviews of this book here on Amazon, I can concede that this simply was not the right kind of story for me. However, I can forgive almost anything while I'm reading a book (poor editing, bad grammar, inconsistencies, etc.), but I can't forgive a story that doesn't pique my interest at least slightly, and this particular book was a chore to read.
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Makes you think about religion versus money
Rating  (5)
Date: 2005-11-29
3 out of 3 customers found this reveiw helpful
After reading this book, I have a better understanding of the impact a Messiah would have on the religious organization. When Jesus scattered the money changers, he was rocking their income boat. Would it be any different today if the Messiah returned? Would they welcome him/her or try to discredit and destroy such a threat to the statis quo? I hate to say it, but I think he'd have a real hard sell...if he performed miracles, it would be called a trick, sham, or the work of an Anti-Christ. A very disturbing and tantalizing read....I highly recommend!
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enjoyable, with some personal nits!
Rating  (4)
Date: 2005-02-19
1 out of 8 customers found this reveiw helpful
I was looking forward to reading the book. We surely do need a female messiah :) but I was hard-pressed to suspend disbelief at how overwhelmingly her messiahhood(?) was accepted, esp. after background information was revealed about her origins and in light of her sex.
Jehovah's Witnesses get a mention albeit an unflattering (and unaccurate) one. JW leadership are pretty closed-lipped about predicting things assertively these days and are not publicity seekers. ie the president of the governing body does not seek tv interviews and if he did, his 'pronouncement' would be rather tame and generic (and released through public relations).
Muslims get pretty positive treatment as accepting Jeza. Except, Muhammed (SAW) is traditionally considered the Seal of the Prophets- the last one- no more- no new revelations. Sure, she'd get a few followers, but the majority? At one point the author mentions they seem to accept her as begotten daughter (or prophetess at least). Yikes! Big time shirk (associating someone with God)there.
Towrds the end her detractors suggest she's the antichrist. Finally! I was surprised this didn't get thrown out a lot earlier in the storyline.
How long was the storyline anyway? The novel has her emulating the life of Jesus. So, was it 3 yrs? I didn't get a sense of three years of her presence in the novel. Nor did she really gather any disciples to really speak of, except the news guy through whom we experience the story.
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Pleasantly Surprised
Rating (5)
Date: 2004-11-04
6 out of 7 customers found this reveiw helpful
I bought this book after reading the reviews, which are quite strong, and being a skeptic, read this with a critical eye. Nevertheless, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this novel. It held my suspense from the very beginning, is far more complex and intriguing than most suspense thrillers, and kept building as I went. By the time I was halfway through, I found myself thinking about it even when I wasn't reading it, to the point it became a near obsession. Like the best books, when I finished it, I was both thrilled and sad. Thrilled at a story that surpassed my expectations by far, sad for it to end. I'd like to read more from this author, and hope a sequel is in the offing. I can give THE LAST DAY my highest endorsement. An exceptional, intelligent, fascinating story.
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The best of the best
Rating (5)
Date: 2004-07-14
4 out of 6 customers found this reveiw helpful
I was delighted to have this book recommended to me by a close friend. I've read a number of books in this genre, including the "Left Behind" disappointments (gave up after book four), and I've read Stephen King's The Stand, and of course, the Da Vinci Code -- all of which pale in comparison to The Last Day's fascinating, and totally unique take on the "second coming." While much in this book will shock (and perhaps anger) some conservative Christian readers, it is undeniably thought provoking and unlike any other novel you will read on the subject. Very fast paced, gripping and challenging, it wraps current events around biblical ones in ways that will startle and amaze. Unquestionably, I put this at the top of the Apocalyptic heap, and true gem of a suspense thriller with an ending that will take your breath away.
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