Instinct

By: T. D. Jakes

Narrated by: Ezra Knight

Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's Summary

Modern life can seem like being lost in a jungle. With distractions and dangers emerging from every direction, it's easy to lose focus. Over time, we lose touch with one of our most powerful, purposeful, God-given attributes - the desire to be fruitful and multiply, what Bishop T. D. Jakes calls our "instinct for increase".

Combining historical, cultural, and personal examples with biblical insights, in Instinct Bishop Jakes outlines how to rediscover your natural aptitudes and reclaim the wisdom of your past experiences. When attuned to divinely inspired instincts, you will become in sync with the opportunities life presents and discover a fresh abundance of resources. Knowing when to close a deal, when to take a risk, and when to listen to your heart will become possible when you're in touch with the instincts that God gave you.

Bishop T. D. Jakes - iconic preacher, best-selling author, and entrepreneur - has inspired millions of people around the world. Here he writes from the peak of his personal power about how to experience the satisfaction of a life well lived. If you long to conquer the jungles of life, Instinct offers the personal and professional tools needed to navigate your course successfully and according to God's design.

©2014 T. D. Jakes (P)2014 Hachette Audio

Critic Reviews

"A boost of caffeine for the Baby Boomer mid-life crises, encouraging people to take stock, get unstuck and chase dreams." ( USA TODAY on Reposition Yourself)

"Bishop Jakes offers sound advice on how to put faith into action." ( Booklist on Reposition Yourself)

"Bishop Jakes offers sound advice on how to put faith into action." ( Booklist on Reposition Yourself)

"One of the nation's most popular evangelists --- and quite possibly the smartest." ( USA TODAY)

Book info great, Narrator??? Not so much!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend the content. Great ideas and info.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Ezra Knight?

Anybody!!! Ezras' delivery was poor. Choppy!!! As though he never picked the book up to practice before it was time to read it. I had to keep coming back to it, taking in bits at a time. It was painful to listen to. I only finished because the content was wonderful.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No but I had an extreme reaction to the narrator. His choppy voice was just sooo irritating!! Nothing smooth or flowing about it.

Any additional comments?

Listen to the preview before downloading to be sure you can tolerate Ezra's voice for 6 hours!!

20 of 20 people found this review helpful

Wise Words Delivered Poorly!

Would you consider the audio edition of Instinct to be better than the print version?

Not at all. The narrator did absolutely no justice to the author and his words. I would have preferred to hear Jakes' voice in delivering these words, rather than the chosen narrator. Ezra's rhythm pales in comparison to Jakes' making the delivery of such complex, nuanced and powerful insights far less impactful than it should have been. I had to purchase the Kindle (print) edition to get the most of the message. Audio did not contribute in any way to my enjoyment of the text and the intended lessons.

Would you be willing to try another one of Ezra Knight’s performances?

Initially I thought "NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT"!!! Then I had to concede that he simply doesn't have a rhythm similar to Jakes' resulting in a HUGE mismatch in delivery of this kind of content. His voice is just fine and perhaps wouldn't be problematic with some other text.

20 of 22 people found this review helpful

Instinct is Good, but narrator is Horrible

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would recommend this book, but listening to this the narration is difficult. He reads with no flow. Is there any way to change this. T.D. Jakes reads much much better than this man.

How could the performance have been better?

Let Jakes, Read. It has not Instinct without Him.

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

One Personal Epiphany After Another

Where does Instinct rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is absolutely phenomenal!

What did you like best about this story?

TD Jakes has a way of getting to the point and making you realize you can do anything.

Which scene was your favorite?

The entire book is amazing!

Any additional comments?

I have read the book 2 times and listened also. I purchased approximately 16 copies and handed them out to my friends! Excellent!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Who ever hired this narrator?

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Couple insights did make me think deeper and come to my own conclusions, which I like.

Do you think Instinct needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Most likely if I'd have an option to blacklist narrators in my profile on Audible, I'd do that to Ezra. Here's why: Most educational books are listened to at faster rate, and the way Ezra narrates, makes it sound terrible at 1.5 speed. At normal speed - it's ok, but at normal speed the book seems quite "wattery" (as many books these days are - like the bigger the better). I guess the idea was that the book from black author should sound black - that was wrong. Now it does sound black, but Jakes doesn't speak like black when accent is concerned...

Any additional comments?

Somehow I did expect much more of the book in general. Few days after listening I couldn't figure out why exactly am I disappointed. Then it downed on me - I hoped to get a manualas to How to increase the instinct. But either I missed it or it is not in the book...

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Can't get into the book because of bad narrator

I love - TD Jakes. I listen - to his - podcast - every week. Visited - his church - once. You could say - I'm a fan. I was really - looking forward - to this book - as - he had been preaching from it - for quite - a few times. Imagine my - disapointment...

The narrator - has - a pleasant voice. But - he pauses - every few words - like he - is dyslectic - or something. A bit like - the way I - am writing here. With all these -

-

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to negative or condesending. I really, really wanted to listen to this book, and I've tried. But I simply can't get in to it. It just doesn't register when I listen to it. And I listen to a lot of audiobooks. 2 a month on average.

So, yeah. Would I recommend this book to my friends? Well, not as an audiobook. Maybe as a paper book, but I can't say.

If I were TD Jakes (or the distributor) I would have someone else narrate it all over and publish a new version of this audiobook, because I think the message is worth it.

PS: Ezra Knight, if you read this, please take this as constructive criticism. If you see my point you could offer to narrate the book again for free, if you think you can do better.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I Expect it's a Great Book

Would you try another book from T. D. Jakes and/or Ezra Knight?

I have read many of Bishop Jakes books and will likely wait till my next break from school to read Instinct for myself. I just ordered the audiobook today but cannot make it past the first 22 mins. The reader sounds like he is fighting the text.

What could T. D. Jakes have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Read the text himself or designate someone else. I can't imagine Bishop Jakes previewed this reading and gave his stamp of approval. This is not quality expected from a masterful communicator like Bishop Jakes.

How could the performance have been better?

If it were simply read. Mr. Knight sounds like he was trying too hard to be dramatic and instead he just sounds frustrated or something. Almost like he was reading under duress.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Frustration, disappointment and regret at having paid for this without reading the reviews. I simply assumed the quality because it was from Bishop Jakes.

Any additional comments?

If refund is possible, I would appreciate one as I will NEVER listen to more than I have already suffered. If the production is redone with a different, more suitable performance, I would settle for a replacement.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Hated the narrator.

Would you be willing to try another book from T. D. Jakes? Why or why not?

Yes, There's nothing wrong with the book. The narrator is horrible!

What didn’t you like about Ezra Knight’s performance?

I would absolutely not purchase another book if it were read by Ezra Knight. I was so excited to purchase this audiobook. My life is so busy that I do not always have time to sit and read books. Given the way this book is narrated makes it really difficult to truly get into the book. It is clear that the narrator is simply reading the book and not "telling the story". The book was not read fluidly. Again, it's so hard to get into it that I'm considering returning it. I truly wish that Bishop Jakes would have narrated this himself. :-(

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Life Changing

Lives up to the hype , first review I've ever made in my life . Uncovered so many blind spots .

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

This Narrator Should Never. Read. Aloud. Again.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I might recommend the actual book, but I could never recommend this audiobook. The narration is so awful that I can't even finish it. I wish I could just return it, honestly. The writing is mediocre at best, made worse by the endless enunciation of the narrator. I can't get lost in the message because of the messenger.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I never finished. Just couldn't do it.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Oh, so awful. His choppy, staccato phrasing was just horrible. I don't know if he was trying to emulate a Baptist preacher, but he failed miserably. I am not one to be harsh unnecessarily, but it is truly important that listeners know how much the narrator will detract from the overall message.

Could you see Instinct being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Absolutely not. It's a self-help book.

Any additional comments?

Don't buy this version. Take some time and read the book. I'm sure that many of the insights are much more profound. I'm disappointed that Mr. Jakes would allow this product (the audiobook) to represent him.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

brilliant and expansive book

Great book in general, covering a wide depth of scenarios and context, I learn't so much from the reasonings behind some instinctive decisions and how to balance it with the right information and relationships.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

The direction everyone needs

Just like Bishop Jakes says.. 'everything we have comes from within'. Sometimes you just need to remember that greater is he who is in us than that which is in the world. Thank you for this wonderful blessing in the form of a book. God bless you, I pray Gods supernatural powers speak through this book and touches the heart and lives of others, like it has with me. God's army is rising.