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For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows. Mark 13:8
When Agent Joshua Stone is called to a high-level meeting at the Department of Homeland Security, he learns about a new global order which will be transitioning into power. Stone is read in on the plan for a single planetary government and a world-wide cashless-currency, which will step in to fill the void left by the failing monetary system. To win wide acceptance by the nations of the world, the old system must first be allowed to fail, bringing about a state of global chaos never before seen by mankind. Once desperation has taken the place of pride and hubris, humanity will beg for the proposed one-world empire led by the charismatic tech guru Lucius Alexander.
The United States will fall without a single shot being fired.
While still considered a sovereign nation under the new global charter, America is required to make some major adjustments in order to fit in. One of the mandatory changes comes in the form of oppressive firearms restrictions. Agent Stone is tasked with infiltrating a group of anti-government nationalists to monitor their activities in the wake of the new gun ban. But what he learns from the group while working undercover causes him to question if he is on the right side of the fight.
The final world empire will demand absolute loyalty.
Stone will have to make an impossible choice. If he chooses to ignore the information gleaned during his time undercover, he will violate his deepest personal convictions. However, if he turns his back on the Global Union, he’ll put not only his own life on the line, but also those of his wife and son.
Don’t miss this chilling depiction of what America will look like in the last days. Read The Beginning of Sorrows, Book One: Cabal, a heart-stopping tale of the end times, today!
As with all works by Mark Goodwin, this book contains no profanity and no embarrassing sex scenes. However, if you're offended by conservative principles and references to Scripture, this book might not be for you.
When Agent Joshua Stone is called to a high-level meeting at the Department of Homeland Security, he learns about a new global order which will be transitioning into power. Stone is read in on the plan for a single planetary government and a world-wide cashless-currency, which will step in to fill the void left by the failing monetary system. To win wide acceptance by the nations of the world, the old system must first be allowed to fail, bringing about a state of global chaos never before seen by mankind. Once desperation has taken the place of pride and hubris, humanity will beg for the proposed one-world empire led by the charismatic tech guru Lucius Alexander.
The United States will fall without a single shot being fired.
While still considered a sovereign nation under the new global charter, America is required to make some major adjustments in order to fit in. One of the mandatory changes comes in the form of oppressive firearms restrictions. Agent Stone is tasked with infiltrating a group of anti-government nationalists to monitor their activities in the wake of the new gun ban. But what he learns from the group while working undercover causes him to question if he is on the right side of the fight.
The final world empire will demand absolute loyalty.
Stone will have to make an impossible choice. If he chooses to ignore the information gleaned during his time undercover, he will violate his deepest personal convictions. However, if he turns his back on the Global Union, he’ll put not only his own life on the line, but also those of his wife and son.
Don’t miss this chilling depiction of what America will look like in the last days. Read The Beginning of Sorrows, Book One: Cabal, a heart-stopping tale of the end times, today!
As with all works by Mark Goodwin, this book contains no profanity and no embarrassing sex scenes. However, if you're offended by conservative principles and references to Scripture, this book might not be for you.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 17, 2020
852 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
About the author
Mark Goodwin
107 books412 followersMark Goodwin is a Christian author and host of the popular Prepper Recon Podcast which interviews patriots, preppers and economists to help people prepare for the uncertain times ahead. His previous fiction series, The Days of Noah spent several months at number one on the Amazon best-sellers list in multiple categories. His first series, The Economic Collapse Chronicles, also hit the Amazon best-sellers list in several categories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
July 7, 2020
Well I guess I missed any indication that this was Christian novel, so the constant religious talk and scripture was very unwelcome and very tiresome. The premise of the downfall of our currency and the rise of a global government was very shaky and improbable at best. The right-leaning sentiments were obvious from the persistent usage of cherry-picked quotes from liberals to the slagging of the Catholic church. I lost track of the main characters alternate identities and abodes and he seemed way too willing to just invite people to his secret getaway. I managed to finish this book but won't continue with this odd and mostly silly story.
May 13, 2021
The Beginning
It took the whole book to get the plot going. Not saying that is bad. There’s a lot of set-up before the main action gets going. I’m looking forward to the next book.
It took the whole book to get the plot going. Not saying that is bad. There’s a lot of set-up before the main action gets going. I’m looking forward to the next book.
April 16, 2025
This is was a great book! I'm a fan of dystopian, apocalyptic survival-type books and this one was probably one of the best I've read in a while. I'm not a fan of series books and rarely read past the first book in most series, but I look forward to reading book #2 at some point in the near future.
The book was well written and well edited and the characters were easy to like. The world building was done in a way that it was easy to visualize what was going on.
My only complaint about the book was how easy it was for the characters to make it through the extreme hard times they faced. The whole world was in such global chaos that everything from food to fuel had skyrocketed in price to the point that no one could afford most things they needed, yet the main characters always had a surplus of money to rush out and buy thousands of dollars of food on multiple occasions, weapons, gold and silver, stockpile fuel, and not to mention still had plenty of cash on hand. He bought not one but two houses, both with tons of land, and even had enough to buy a car at the end of the book.
Though the world around them was in shambles, it was a little too *eye roll* easy for the main characters. To be fair, though, this seems to be a common concept in these types of end-of-the-world survival tropes. The main characters in these books never seem to have it as hard as everyone else around them, and it takes away from the realism of survival. Even if they were rich before the hard times started, their relative ease in always having the things they wanted, above the basics, kind of took away from the apocalyptic feel. Sometimes I think I'd like to see the main characters catapulted into true survival mode to match the world around them. Since this is only book #1, maybe the hard times will be more evident in subsequent books.
As for the end-time theology in the book, I never heard any mention of the rapture having happened, so it appears as though this may be written from the perspective of a mid or post tribulation rapture, but it's yet to be seen. While my belief lies in a pre-trib rapture, I can read other points of view on the matter without it shattering my entire belief system.
Five stars and highly recommend!
The book was well written and well edited and the characters were easy to like. The world building was done in a way that it was easy to visualize what was going on.
My only complaint about the book was how easy it was for the characters to make it through the extreme hard times they faced. The whole world was in such global chaos that everything from food to fuel had skyrocketed in price to the point that no one could afford most things they needed, yet the main characters always had a surplus of money to rush out and buy thousands of dollars of food on multiple occasions, weapons, gold and silver, stockpile fuel, and not to mention still had plenty of cash on hand. He bought not one but two houses, both with tons of land, and even had enough to buy a car at the end of the book.
Though the world around them was in shambles, it was a little too *eye roll* easy for the main characters. To be fair, though, this seems to be a common concept in these types of end-of-the-world survival tropes. The main characters in these books never seem to have it as hard as everyone else around them, and it takes away from the realism of survival. Even if they were rich before the hard times started, their relative ease in always having the things they wanted, above the basics, kind of took away from the apocalyptic feel. Sometimes I think I'd like to see the main characters catapulted into true survival mode to match the world around them. Since this is only book #1, maybe the hard times will be more evident in subsequent books.
As for the end-time theology in the book, I never heard any mention of the rapture having happened, so it appears as though this may be written from the perspective of a mid or post tribulation rapture, but it's yet to be seen. While my belief lies in a pre-trib rapture, I can read other points of view on the matter without it shattering my entire belief system.
Five stars and highly recommend!
August 22, 2020
Too close for comfort!
With everything that is going on now with the pandemic and the cover-ups and riots, this book is most timely. And even a bit unsettling. Still, I couldn't put it down! What I enjoyed most was the discussion with Rev about the rapture and the timing of the last days. The conversation they have about why it's so important to know your Bible will definitely help me explain to new believers...and even some long-time believers whose Bibles just gather dust.
With everything that is going on now with the pandemic and the cover-ups and riots, this book is most timely. And even a bit unsettling. Still, I couldn't put it down! What I enjoyed most was the discussion with Rev about the rapture and the timing of the last days. The conversation they have about why it's so important to know your Bible will definitely help me explain to new believers...and even some long-time believers whose Bibles just gather dust.
Read
October 8, 2021couldn't finish it. Seemed to be just an exposition on how much the author knows about guns. Not enough about the characters and what was happening with them.
July 20, 2021
Mark Goodwin always writes a great bible based fiction book. I have read almost all of his books, I am just starting this series, because he said the next series is a continuation of this one. I waited until all 6 books were out there to start, so that way I could go from one to another without having to wait. I hate the hurry up and wait dance between publications. Therefore, I decided this time I would wait it out and read all 6 one after another. I finished the first today, and as usual, I find myself into a great read. I love that he always backs things up with bible truth. Moving on to book two tomorrow and find myself waiting to find out what happens next in this thriller........NEW WORLD ORDER....love your books Mark, keep writing till we are called home. We know it's coming, that one world order, ruler, the biggest villain of all time, this series is showing one scenario of what might be our future, in any case it's Mark's roller coaster ride we're on so let it spin it's tail. Tail as in Dragon...................
August 12, 2024
Another excellent book by Mark Goodwin. In this one he uses a Government Agent, who starts to see the end of times. He and 400 other agents are called to DC for a meeting. At the meeting, he and the others discover that America and the world is financially collapsing. The UN and other world leaders are setting up a New World Order called the Global Union. Many of the signs point to the beginning of the end of the world. Josh Stone takes a transfer to Kentucky to get away from the City of Tampa. When he gets to Kentucky, he and his family begin to prep for the end if it comes. The Government uses a False Flag attack to start confiscating regular citizens guns. Josh buys another property with a cave that he believes he will need to survive the coming of the end of the world. I story follows and is backed up by bible verses and statements made by politicians. It is a very interesting take on how the end but come about in the future. Highly recommend Mark Goodwin's different series they are thought provoking.
June 2, 2021
It is very rare for me to give a 5 star rating but i did on this book. It is so good, that i am going to re-read it again so i can understand it more. iT IS ALMOST LIKE READING TODAY'S NEWS. Super good and interesting also. One thing i might MENTION to Mark Goodwin, it that by putting rice or beans in a sealed container, will NOT stop it from getting weevils. Sorry to say, weevils are in those types of products and will eventually develop. YOU have to freeze ALL dry food for at least 48 hours (and for me, i usually freeze for a week or two) then you take your frozen beans, rice, pastas, flour, cornmeal and let it come to room temperature THEN you put into sealed containers. Just a note for you and your readers.
I like this book and it is on my kindle and i am thinking about buying a hard copy to have on hand. I can hardly wait to read the second book but i must re-read the first one AGAIN. GOOD JOB MARK.
I like this book and it is on my kindle and i am thinking about buying a hard copy to have on hand. I can hardly wait to read the second book but i must re-read the first one AGAIN. GOOD JOB MARK.
January 19, 2023
1.75 làm tròn lên 2.
Ehhhh cuốn này cũng được. Mình hợp văn của tác giả, nhưng mấy chỗ kinh tế này nọ mình không hiểu nhiều cho lắm. Nhịp sách nhanh, mảng action ít nếu nói thẳng với mình là hầu như không có. Cuốn thứ nhất này mình có thể du di (tại mình hợp văn của tác giả ok, nên mình bias) là đang xây dựng bối cảnh nên mảng hành động, cũng như các nút thắt vẫn chưa có gì hào hứng. Cái twist cuối truyện làm mình có chút ngạc nhiên dẫu bản thân đã đoán ra được ít nhiều chi tiết trong plot.
Cuốn này khá chán, tại như đã nói trên; mình nghĩ tác giả vẫn đang xây dựng bối cảnh.
Nhân vật cuốn này...không có gì mới hay đa chiều. Nói trắng ra là nó phẳng, nhưng mình hợp với plot driven hơn nên mảng này (nằm trong thể loại này) thì mình không quan tâm cũng như chú ý.
Viết trên ngôi thứ ba, một pov duy nhất.
Có thể sẽ đọc tiếp cuốn thứ hai trong tương lai, nhưng độ hào hứng để đọc thì không nhiều.
Ehhhh cuốn này cũng được. Mình hợp văn của tác giả, nhưng mấy chỗ kinh tế này nọ mình không hiểu nhiều cho lắm. Nhịp sách nhanh, mảng action ít nếu nói thẳng với mình là hầu như không có. Cuốn thứ nhất này mình có thể du di (tại mình hợp văn của tác giả ok, nên mình bias) là đang xây dựng bối cảnh nên mảng hành động, cũng như các nút thắt vẫn chưa có gì hào hứng. Cái twist cuối truyện làm mình có chút ngạc nhiên dẫu bản thân đã đoán ra được ít nhiều chi tiết trong plot.
Cuốn này khá chán, tại như đã nói trên; mình nghĩ tác giả vẫn đang xây dựng bối cảnh.
Nhân vật cuốn này...không có gì mới hay đa chiều. Nói trắng ra là nó phẳng, nhưng mình hợp với plot driven hơn nên mảng này (nằm trong thể loại này) thì mình không quan tâm cũng như chú ý.
Viết trên ngôi thứ ba, một pov duy nhất.
Có thể sẽ đọc tiếp cuốn thứ hai trong tương lai, nhưng độ hào hứng để đọc thì không nhiều.
June 15, 2020
Decently done. No gratuitous sex, perversions or foul language. The protagonist is a Federal Special Agent with friends who can follow him anywhere and money and means to buy a retreat. I'd like to see an everyday guy--prior regular army, current insurance salesman or something--with average savings and credit cards deal with an Armageddon scenario instead of the so-frequent ex special forces, CIA super agent, senator's son, or rich guys etc. But this book is not outrageous like some others. A decent break from reality and food for thought. I am ex military and a retired Treasury Special Agent who worked for three additional Federal LE agencies, so am waiting for the next books to see if he stays within the bounds of reality with the Special Agent characters and will update.
July 11, 2020
It's like he knows the future!
I just saw an article today, the day I'm finishing this book, that the U.N. Chief is calling for a "One
Supreme Body of 'Global Governance'". Mr. Goodwin surely has his finger on the pulse of world events! I love the characters in this story, they could be my brothers family, so very real and lovable. I also like the way he explains a relationship with Jesus without being preachy and gently nudges us to renew our relationship with our Savior and also our church family and explains why it's important to find the right one.
I can't wait to dive into book two so I'm cutting this short, but this is an awesome book! You just have got to read this one!!
I just saw an article today, the day I'm finishing this book, that the U.N. Chief is calling for a "One
Supreme Body of 'Global Governance'". Mr. Goodwin surely has his finger on the pulse of world events! I love the characters in this story, they could be my brothers family, so very real and lovable. I also like the way he explains a relationship with Jesus without being preachy and gently nudges us to renew our relationship with our Savior and also our church family and explains why it's important to find the right one.
I can't wait to dive into book two so I'm cutting this short, but this is an awesome book! You just have got to read this one!!
July 2, 2020
This was an interesting view of the end times. It was a time when the world was changing rapidly. The main character begins as a soldier for the government, but soon realizes what's really happening and sets out to protect his family and friends. It's quite a read to see how he goes about all that. It appears that the author may not believe in the pre-tribulation rapture, because what he shows happening to Christians in this book looks like the beginning of the tribulation. Even so, it was very interesting and I was inspired by reading it.
October 3, 2020
Awesome book I cannot put it down read it straight through
This is a great book. I enjoyed the whole story. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys learning about the preper lifestyle as well as any patriot or conservative. The story is fascinating. I am going to take a few minute break to get a few things done but I cannot wait to start the next one in this series. Thank you for writing this series.
This is a great book. I enjoyed the whole story. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys learning about the preper lifestyle as well as any patriot or conservative. The story is fascinating. I am going to take a few minute break to get a few things done but I cannot wait to start the next one in this series. Thank you for writing this series.
January 13, 2021
A Good Tale About About the Possible End
I enjoyed reading this as light reading and had it done in two days. I liked how the author didn't beat you over the head with the Bible or his beliefs, but still kept them relevant in the story line. My problem with it is everything moved too quickly. Everything broke down within a week. I may not be an expert on the economy, but that seemed a bit far fetched. Or I'm just naive e old fashioned.
I enjoyed reading this as light reading and had it done in two days. I liked how the author didn't beat you over the head with the Bible or his beliefs, but still kept them relevant in the story line. My problem with it is everything moved too quickly. Everything broke down within a week. I may not be an expert on the economy, but that seemed a bit far fetched. Or I'm just naive e old fashioned.
March 14, 2023
I love Marks books ...
He's never quite lived up to the 1st book of his I read
(Seven Cows, Ugly and Gaunt: A Post-Apocalyptic Saga of America's Worst Nightmare) ...
but this was nearly as good... I really think these are great to read as it brings you an awareness of how to view how prophecy may play out...
This story line is particularly good as the 1st domino to fall probably will be the ever weakening economy ....
He's never quite lived up to the 1st book of his I read
(Seven Cows, Ugly and Gaunt: A Post-Apocalyptic Saga of America's Worst Nightmare) ...
but this was nearly as good... I really think these are great to read as it brings you an awareness of how to view how prophecy may play out...
This story line is particularly good as the 1st domino to fall probably will be the ever weakening economy ....
August 21, 2020
This sounds like it came from the daily headlines!
What a page turner! I read this in one sitting. It is pretty amazing to see how the Bible is tied into this book so well. I've read several of Mark Goodwin 's books. They are all a bit scary. Especially as you see things unfolding each day that almost parallel chapters in his books. Can't wait to read the next one.
What a page turner! I read this in one sitting. It is pretty amazing to see how the Bible is tied into this book so well. I've read several of Mark Goodwin 's books. They are all a bit scary. Especially as you see things unfolding each day that almost parallel chapters in his books. Can't wait to read the next one.
January 22, 2021
Thrilling book from begining to end
Mark must have the gift of.prophesy at the time of my reading news headlines rolled out as I was reading the chapters , these are must read books but once you pickup book one you will eat t energy other book he has written. Love this man and love these books
Mark must have the gift of.prophesy at the time of my reading news headlines rolled out as I was reading the chapters , these are must read books but once you pickup book one you will eat t energy other book he has written. Love this man and love these books
February 8, 2021
LOVE THE BOOKS THIS AUTHOR WRITES
Everything Mark Goodwin has written I have really enjoyed reading. What makes it so great is he ties it in with world events happening to a small degree and uses the Bible in his story to show how some of this could play out. I hope he keeps writing like this.
Everything Mark Goodwin has written I have really enjoyed reading. What makes it so great is he ties it in with world events happening to a small degree and uses the Bible in his story to show how some of this could play out. I hope he keeps writing like this.
May 17, 2021
The end is coming. Get ready.
While this tale takes place in the future, it could happen at any time. Mark tells his story in a way that makes sense. He makes me want to go out and buy gold and large amounts of beans and rice. And, of course large buckets with kids. It also makes me pull out my study bible.
While this tale takes place in the future, it could happen at any time. Mark tells his story in a way that makes sense. He makes me want to go out and buy gold and large amounts of beans and rice. And, of course large buckets with kids. It also makes me pull out my study bible.
January 9, 2022
LOVE LOVE LOVE
I want to start by saying that I'm in love with the Josh character; I could use a Josh or two in my life. Josh's son, Micah, is just as awesome: Real men. This book is so well written, and I love that the chapters start with either a relevant Bible verse or a profound quote from long ago.
I want to start by saying that I'm in love with the Josh character; I could use a Josh or two in my life. Josh's son, Micah, is just as awesome: Real men. This book is so well written, and I love that the chapters start with either a relevant Bible verse or a profound quote from long ago.
April 25, 2023
I appreciate the effort that the author puts in to the plots of his books. This is far from the first of his books that I have read but it just struck me that one of the reasons I enjoy his work so much is that he doesn't make things easily predictable. The ending of this book caught me totally by surprise yet made total sense in retrospection. I am eager to begin the next book in the series.
June 5, 2020
Wake up and put on your armor
The book is amazing, especially making me aware of Agenda 2030 and the thoughts and words of David Rockefeller, Kissinger, Clinton, and Cronkite. I have been a student of prophecy for many years.
The book is amazing, especially making me aware of Agenda 2030 and the thoughts and words of David Rockefeller, Kissinger, Clinton, and Cronkite. I have been a student of prophecy for many years.
June 20, 2020
Another great series
As with all of Mark Goodwin's books, I'm really enjoying the beginning of this series. The lack of profanity, gratuitous sex, and secular socialism is refreshing. Being a born-again Christian makes his writing even more meaningful to me.
As with all of Mark Goodwin's books, I'm really enjoying the beginning of this series. The lack of profanity, gratuitous sex, and secular socialism is refreshing. Being a born-again Christian makes his writing even more meaningful to me.
June 26, 2020
Well written story
I'm a non Christian man but I really enjoyed the book ! The story moved along fast and kept me very interested to what will happen to the character s in the future.
I'm a non Christian man but I really enjoyed the book ! The story moved along fast and kept me very interested to what will happen to the character s in the future.
July 6, 2020
Another excellent book by Mark Goodwin!
I have read his other two trilogys about the end of days.So far all including this one are awesome! I know they are fiction but they feel so real! Makes me want to search the Holy Bible for myself!
I have read his other two trilogys about the end of days.So far all including this one are awesome! I know they are fiction but they feel so real! Makes me want to search the Holy Bible for myself!
July 20, 2020
Book One promises to be the start of a great series.
Trying to do your job in a covert, secret way and realizing what they expect you to do isn't the right thing to do complicates things that are to come through prophecy .
Trying to do your job in a covert, secret way and realizing what they expect you to do isn't the right thing to do complicates things that are to come through prophecy .
July 31, 2020
Good clean riveting story
What can I say? No fowl language, great story and the verses and quotes that start every chapter? Riveting. I've read every series this man has written and I'm still hot to read the next book.
What can I say? No fowl language, great story and the verses and quotes that start every chapter? Riveting. I've read every series this man has written and I'm still hot to read the next book.
August 12, 2020
The beginning of sorrow
Aptly named, this leaves you wanting more. Good thing there is a sequel. Seriously, end times prophesy is upon us and this could become real way faster than imagined. Well written!
Aptly named, this leaves you wanting more. Good thing there is a sequel. Seriously, end times prophesy is upon us and this could become real way faster than imagined. Well written!
September 14, 2020
Keeps getting better
Goodwin’s stories of the coming meltdown get better with each outing. His character development has improved as well. I’m going to jump right in to book 2 of The Beginning of Sorrows.
Goodwin’s stories of the coming meltdown get better with each outing. His character development has improved as well. I’m going to jump right in to book 2 of The Beginning of Sorrows.
March 24, 2021
I had trouble putting this book down.
The characters have depth and the scenarios depicted are relevant to today's events. The quotes both biblical and historical at the start of each chapter add food for thought. I think I will be doing some research.
The characters have depth and the scenarios depicted are relevant to today's events. The quotes both biblical and historical at the start of each chapter add food for thought. I think I will be doing some research.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews