Kindle Edition Amazon T&R Independent Books Amazon Category:  History Publisher: AmercaStar ISBN-10:  1462678599 Type: Fiction Pages: 323 Copyright: May 21, 2012 ISBN-13: 978146268594 Price: $9.95 (eBook) This second book of The World That Was series follows Shem,a son of Noah. Picking up where Perished left off, the book tells the story of the Flood, the Ark, Tower of Babel, and much more. In this sequel to Perished: The World That Was God's judgment of the world with a worldwide Flood leaves only eight people who survive, land on the Ararat Mountains, and start a new life. But it isn't long before Satan causes trouble, raising up Nimrod, who quickly rises to power and leads the people into false religion. Called of God, Shem witnesses and records the rise and fall of Babel, the Confusion of Tongues, and the spreading of humanity abroad. He travels the known world recording the unfolding events, frequently reporting back to Noah the results. During this time we also witness the birth and early years of Abram. We watch as he marries his half-sister Sarai and later hear God's call to him to leave Ur. True to the Bible it tells the story behind the story bringing people and events alive! Excerpt Eber was confused. Moments earlier, he had been listening to Nimrod and others discussing the tower and the plans for the dedication. He had perfectly understood their conversation and Nimrod's words. But then an engineer had spoken up and in mid-sentence, his words suddenly were very confusing. Something’s wrong! Turning to a fellow carpenter, he whispered, “Something’s wrong. I can no longer understand what is being said.” His friend’s face went from blank confusion to anger in almost an instant. Eber quickly retreated. As he did so, he remembered the fiery message by Shem only days before. Looking around the room, he saw faces of confusion. Turning toward Nimrod, he saw fear and confusion in his face as well! “Is this the judgment he spoke of? Whatever is happening is causing people to get very angry. I better go home.” He turned and headed out the door and down the stairway. A feeling of caution, and maybe fear, caused him to avoid others. Once out the palace door, he ran toward home, all the time wondering what he would find.

4.0 out of 5 starsA little imagination goes a long way
By Jill P. Jones on August 2, 2012
Format: Hardcover
In "The Rise of Shem," R. Frederick Riddle captures the imagination through the retelling of the events surrounding the flood and weaves a believable tale of what might have happened once Noah, Ham, Shem and Japheth stepped off the Ark and repopulated the earth with people set again on defying God and His commandments. However, there is another story of Shem's rise to become the ancestor of God's chosen people.

Riddle opens up a new way to view the biblical events of the Flood, the Tower of Babel, and the confusion of tongues. He offers a unique look, although fictional, of the people who became the forefathers of the nations.

Laced throughout with theology and prayer, we catch a glimpse of God's redemption plan from the very beginning. "The Rise of Shem" is a quick read and an engaging story from the Flood until the entrance of Abram.



4.0 out of 5 starsA good one
his is a good one! I don't often do pleasure reading. Summer allows me the benefit of time by the pool watching the kids swim with lots of time for reading. As soon as I saw this one come across my email I knew it would be a hit. I love Biblical fiction because it helps bring the Bible to life for me I lack imagination and often feel I am missing something because I can't visualize what is taking place like some people do. Authors, such as Francine Rivers in her Lineage of Grace series, really give me a richer appreciation for what it was really like in Bible days by filling in the gaps with what it might have been.

This book caught my attention in the first sentence as I began reading aloud to Allen and the girls. Even though it was after 11 and I knew I was going to be beat the next day, I kept right on reading after they had said their good nights.

I know this one will be passed around our house at lightening speed and I look forward to getting the first book in the series, Perished: The World That Was.

Special thanks to Mr. Riddle for this signed copy.

4.0 out of 5 starsGreat Story!
Many have either heard of the Book of Genesis, a revelation of the beginning; without it we wouldn't know our beginning. The Rise of Shem is strictly a work of fiction based loosely on a small section of the Book of Genesis the time of Noah, beginning with the flood and ending the story shortly after Noah's passing.
One of the benefits of reading fiction based loosely on Scripture is that it helps us remember that the people, places and events revealed therein are real. It is a story that engages the imagination of the reader and transport them back to the beginning, if only in the mind. I wonder how much of the description of the places were based on archeological findings. While we know the Ark hasn't been uncovered, it still grips the heart of many who long to discover it.
The imagination of the reader is pulled into the story as we begin mentally traveling with the family of eight on the Ark. We read a fictional tale of the sons of Noah, their wives and peoples that come from them after the Ark. Altars and worship are spoken of many times in Scripture, and appropriately in the story as well.
When marriages happen, babies born, elders die, and civilization is being born, it is hard to put the book down. The event at Babel with Nimrod as its leader, followed by the confusion of languages can almost be sensed as the reader progresses in the tale. To be reminded that from these eight came civilizations and peoples, the spreading of them after the confusion reminds one and all of how Holy God is.