Army of God by Dennis Bailey is a flawlessly written version of the most catastrophic event in biblical history. The story begins with Malluch, his father, brother, and friend, along with 50 armed men being warned by Noah, whom they call the preacher, and his father Lamech against entering the Garden of Eden. Before they eat the fruit from the Tree of Life, they have to first get past the Guardian Angel and his flaming sword. Ignoring Noah's warning, Malluch sends the soldiers, who are no match for the angel. When his men are easily slaughtered, then Malluch's brother charges to his death, followed by his father. Malluch and Shechem return to the city of Eden. When a beautiful young maiden overhears Malluch planning on murdering Noah and his family, the young maiden, Shiphrah, warns Noah's family. Noah, his wife Miryam, their sons, Japheth and Shem, and their wives, Elisheva and Ariel, the youngest son, Ham, and Shiphrah flee the city. After they get settled in their new home, God approaches Noah and bids him to build the ark.

Mr. Bailey does an outstanding job of bringing this story to life with diabolical villains, namely Malluch, the disgusting Bohar, and Shechem, who has lusted for Elisheva since childhood. The author is able to describe in detail the painstaking process of felling the huge dogwood trees, cutting the planks, and all of the excruciatingly hard work that goes into building the massive ark. Then when friction rises between the wives and the budding relationship of Ham and Shiphrah, Shiphrah runs away. Noah leaves the construction to his sons while he leaves to find her and bring her back. The story telling continues of how all the animals begin showing up as the construction is nearing the century mark, combined with the oncoming storm. Army of God by Dennis Bailey - whose words are vividly painted - is truly a masterpiece. Bravo!

Army Of God by Dennis Bailey is a Christian fiction novel told over a period of two hundred years in the days of biblical Noah. The story opens centuries after Adam’s fall and expulsion from the garden of Eden. Not far from the garden, the descendants of Seth have built a town named Eden. The town is administered by Methuselah and other elders. Enoch, a town built by Cain’s descendants, is the epitome of evil, and murder and mayhem litter its streets with blood and tears. No one is safe there. Unfortunately, its evil has found a place in Eden. Malluch failed in his bid to pillage the garden of Eden and lost his father and brother when God’s angel massacred their small army. He is determined to turn Eden into the image of Enoch. Only Noah and his family stand in his way.

Dennis Bailey writes a truly heartwarming tale that reads like the expanded version of the biblical account of Noah. Army of God is everything Hollywood’s Noah was not. It doesn’t feel contrived or make Noah look like a demented man who would do better locked up in an asylum. I really loved this Noah because he was just a man with human weaknesses. One of the things that make this book so enjoyable is Noah’s personal struggle with what God had asked him to do, not to mention his family’s doubt. Cain’s city, Enoch, was a place of unrestrained evil, the worst mankind is capable of, but in my opinion, Enoch was no better if not worse with people who let bad things happen while telling themselves they couldn’t have done anything differently. There are some truly grim moments that made the joyful moments shine brighter. Army of God is not just for Christians, but for anyone looking for a genuine story with heart. I hope this is not the last book Dennis Bailey writes with biblical origins.

Army of God by Dennis Bailey is a compelling meld of action, suspense, and adventure, inspired by the biblical story of Noah and the ark. An enemy plans to kill Noah, and he evades the danger, thanks to the help of a beautiful young woman who becomes one of their companions as they flee Eden. When God reveals his plan to destroy Earth with the flood and asks Noah to build an ark, few people believe him. Even those of his family and close circle think that his plan is insane when he tells them that the Lord commands that he should build an ark—an ark large enough to hold two of every kind of animal on the earth, male and female—and that they and the animals should go into the ark to stay alive. Noah’s rival in Eden, Malluch, learns of the ark and sends an army of five thousand men to destroy it. But Commander Shechem and his men are in for a bitter surprise. They will meet an army unlike anything they have experienced in the history of war.

Army of God is a powerful story told in an atmospheric style of writing and follows the tale of one of the notable biblical characters —Noah. The writing is gorgeous and from the very beginning, the author shows the differences between the cities of Enoch and Eden, exploring two distinct cultures between the descendants of Cain and Abel. The descriptions are wonderful, from the characters to conflicting situations, to Noah’s encounter with God, to the phenomenal battle against their enemies. The behavior of the animals is one of the elements that I enjoyed. At the sight of the army poised against Noah, the sense of despair is just so evident, but then everything changes as Noah gains the favor of God and the support of the animals. The characters — from Malluch, Shechem, Lamech, Miryam to Noah — are richly developed and they are real. Army of God is a spellbinding story that captures the story of Noah and the ark, exploring themes of war, God’s favor, love, and family, and salvation. It is filled with religious symbolism and packed with action; it is as inspiring as it is entertaining.