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On sale at sc price! 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.

604 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

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About the author

Michael R. Phillips

221 books588 followers
Librarian Note: there is more than one author with this name in the Goodreads database.

Michael Phillips has been writing in the Christian marketplace for 30 years. All told, he has written, co-written, and edited some 110 books. Phillips and his wife live in the U.S., and make their second home in Scotland.

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5 stars
252 (43%)
4 stars
198 (33%)
3 stars
99 (16%)
2 stars
25 (4%)
1 star
9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
December 15, 2012
This is a bang-up blast that gives Left Behind a run for its money. Full of action, suspense, admirable heroes, despicable villains, and Biblical allusions, A Rift in Time is a wonderful novel. I didn't agree with the theology behind the story, but it was a crackling good adventure yarn nonetheless.
November 26, 2010
Without question, one of the best books I have ever read!!!!! Thrilling storyline, unexpected twists & turns, and an earnest search for truth, make this book a must read!!!
Profile Image for Donna Bayse.
13 reviews5 followers
January 25, 2012
Tremendous amount of detail capturing theory and thought on the location of the Garden of Eden. Amazing information on vegetation and the zest of life that throbs deep in aa plant, in the roots, and even dormant seeds.

Catured in a complex plot with multiple characters -- requires apt attention to stay with some of the detail. I have reread the book several times and always find it amazing and engaging.
100 reviews
September 7, 2012
Adam Livingstone, world renowned archeologist, takes on the adventure of discovering Noah's Ark and the Garden of Eden. It's a race against other fame seekers, as well as those who don't want Biblical truths revealed. Mystery, intrigue, science, spirituality, light and darkness. It's all in this story. I enjoyed it very much.
Profile Image for Lynette.
457 reviews4 followers
June 23, 2016
I believe that the intention of this book was to drive me insane... fascinating material - topics and way out there premises that were so great - but the author just can't get out of his own way!! The plot nearly collapses under the byzantine writing style - I'm all for being mysterious and not revealing your characters all at once - but when you have 15 or 16 unnamed characters and the action moves around from group to group, it's ridiculously confusing to try to figure out WHICH unnamed character you're reading about --- sigh. Also, the "Christian" point of view is nearly gagging --- unfortunately for me, there is a sequel that deals with similarly fascinating subject matter so I'm not done with this guy yet... sigh
Profile Image for Laura.
186 reviews1 follower
July 13, 2010
I'm impressed that Michael Phillips imagined-up this plot line. I would never in a million years (or 6000 years depending on your point of view) been able to dream this up. Good reminder for me to use my own imagination since I primarily default to a 'what you see is what you get' mode of operation.

- Solid read, plot kept me engaged (in large part because I remained curious as to what Phillips would unfold next).
- Slightly cheesy in parts.
- I haven't digested all the theology to offer an opinion on soundness - I've simply never encountered some of these ideas before.
Profile Image for Jen.
2,037 reviews156 followers
January 1, 2016
I read this book quite awhile ago. I was intrigued by the title, and I wasn't disappointed.

The best thing about this book for me was simply the plot. The continual unraveling of the author's speculation on the origins of man were so fascinating that it kept my interest until the very end. There was a lot of actual history in it. The connection to reality was the anchor that kept me guessing.

It's a great mystery, a grand adventure, and has characters with depth. I'm not sure you can ask more from a book. I'll be re-reading this one.
Profile Image for Shauna.
394 reviews5 followers
February 15, 2009
I liked the book very much. It was a little too...how shall I say this? Right-wing fundamentalist Christian political in some places... But, I loved it none the less. It did remind me that there is good and evil in this world and I want to be on the good side. It is a Christian book by a Christian author and includes archeology, mystery, adventure, and love. Awwww.

I'm going to read the sequel.
October 4, 2017
I read A Rift in Time when it first came out in hard cover. It is one of my favorite all time stories, and of course I wish it was real. But is it? Michael Phillips uses sound Scriptural reference, archaeology, history and modern facts to weave a mesmerizing tale. Could they really have discovered where the Garden of Eden and the Tree of Life were/are located? I like to think so.
Profile Image for Trine.
120 reviews4 followers
February 13, 2009
Thought-provoking thriller on the quest for the original Garden of Eden that may appeal to readers who don't like the novels of Steve Berry or James Rollins as this book also focuses on a religious theme, but viewed primarily from a strictly Biblical point of view.
Profile Image for Donna.
59 reviews
March 15, 2012
Really enjoyed this book. This was a great biblical archeological book, that weaved history, archeology and the bible all together. There was mystery, suspense and a little romance. A little bit of everything.
Profile Image for Danielle.
86 reviews11 followers
Shelved as 'did-not-finish'
May 30, 2014
stopped on page 289. In my last status update I said I would consider giving this a second shot some other day, but for now I just can't do it. I was going to try and finish it today and have it be my last book for 2012, but no such luck. Oh well
Profile Image for Rick Bavera.
688 reviews41 followers
June 30, 2013
Have read other Michael Phillips, so thought this might be worth the effort.

It is a long book, and was a bit tough at times....sometimes the "preachiness" got in the way of the story.

But it was a good read, dealing with history, archaeology, Noah's ark, Eden, geology, and God.

7 reviews1 follower
Read
November 10, 2008
I love books by Michael R. Phillips. This one was little different because the story took place within the last 20 years. I thought I wouldn't like it but I ended up loving it.
59 reviews
June 18, 2009
Pretty interesting theory and a good read, but not terribly challenging. Predictable.
Profile Image for Rachel Wheat.
4 reviews
November 8, 2011
Too repetitive in some areas. Too many uses of the word "rejoined/rejoinder" Ok story line.
Profile Image for Caleb.
5 reviews4 followers
July 2, 2012
It was difficult to adapt to the author's style, but a fascinating plot and thought provoking biblical interpretation make this a good read.
319 reviews
September 10, 2016
Well written story with an interesting take on biblical history in a fictional setting. Fast paced action with an "Indiana Jones" type feel. I enjoyed reading this book.
Profile Image for Katy.
34 reviews
September 16, 2014
The story takes a long time to unfold, but the author keeps the reader interested the whole time.
Profile Image for Brandy.
9 reviews2 followers
September 24, 2015
One of my all time favorite books and one of the few o have read more than once.
Profile Image for Trana Mathews.
Author 4 books56 followers
August 17, 2016
While I enjoyed the plot and premise, I found the novel to be repetitious in spots and often over wordy.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
28 reviews1 follower
September 5, 2017
This book is thought-provoking and well researched. The characters are engaging as well. It's long, but I enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Rocky Henriques.
Author 26 books1 follower
March 28, 2022
Recommended by a friend. "Rift in Time" is well-researched. Combined with the author's keen imagination, the book takes the reader from England to America to what is apparently the Garden of Eden! This is a Christian book without being preachy, and does open up some possibilities for where the Garden of Eden may have been. A little long, as it seems there were some scenes or dialogue that could have been left out. But Phillips has done a masterful job of presenting his subject well.
Profile Image for Kendra.
281 reviews
April 29, 2024
Interesting topic but mediocre story development and lots of questionable content (why would they rent a car in Cairo and drive down to Tanzania?? How could they have reasonably taken a boat across from Egypt to Saudi Arabia??). Characters were shallow and predictable and the love interest was cringy. I probably wont continue the series… at least not out of an interest in following the characters farther.
Profile Image for Paula Parker.
Author 16 books23 followers
October 27, 2020
Interesting story line...very much in the Indiana Jones vein, except this archeologist is rich. The author weaves story line with spiritual matters with science. A special bonus is the back matter, where the author explains his research that was included in the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews

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