
Running on Merit
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed

Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Buy for $19.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Sam Metzger
-
By:
-
Chris Bentley
About this listen
How do you lead a revolution when there is no government to overthrow, and what should society give up for the sake of safety, stability, and economic growth? In a world with no government, no safety nets, no privacy, and no value other than your credit score, what does it take to succeed and what is that success really worth?
Meet Patch Robinson, an awkward teenager who has survived on the streets scrounging for scraps of food left behind by the posh society that sprung up after the world’s banks decided to stop investing in world governments. He’s bright, cautious, and can run like the wind. When a wealthy patron spots his talent and makes him an offer, it opens up a new world to him. But even as he moves into a life of luxury, he sees the darkness behind the system that keeps him fed. Gwendolyn Reynolds is a lost remnant of the abandoned Midwest, getting by on her wits and innate fighting skills and spirit. A chance encounter with an aging man of lost renown opens her eyes to the possibility of making a difference. But how can a teenage girl change society when she barely has enough to eat? Revolution is coming.
Discover the paths Patch and Gwen take through relationships, self-realization, and loss—the paths that bring them together at a critical moment and could change the course of the world order forever.
Remarkably, little changed once the Economic Wars ended and all government assets were transferred to the bank corporations in exchange for the overwhelming debts the world’s government owed. People still owned and worked for companies trying to beat out their competitors. Differences showed up in more subtle ways: People no longer feared flashing lights in the rearview mirror when running late to work on Monday mornings. No more body scans took place at the airports. Reports of terrorism, mass shootings, and homemade car bombs no longer kept news organizations solvent. No privacy meant no more crime.
©2021 Chris Bentley (P)2022 Chris BentleyListeners also enjoyed...
-
Timebound
- The Chronos Files, Book 1
- By: Rysa Walker
- Narrated by: Kate Rudd
- Length: 12 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Kate Pierce-Keller’s grandmother gives her a strange blue medallion and speaks of time travel, sixteen-year-old Kate assumes the old woman is delusional. But it all becomes horrifyingly real when a murder in the past destroys the foundation of Kate’s present-day life. Suddenly, that medallion is the only thing protecting Kate from blinking out of existence. Kate learns that the 1893 killing is part of something much more sinister, and her genetic ability to time travel makes Kate the only one who can fix the future.
-
-
Completely Enjoyed It
- By Lessa on 06-27-14
By: Rysa Walker
-
The Candy Shop War
- By: Brandon Mull
- Narrated by: Emily Janice Card
- Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Welcome to the Sweet Tooth Ice Cream & Candy Shoppe, where the confections are a bit on the... unusual side. Rock candy that makes you weightless. Jawbreakers that make you unbreakable. Chocolate balls that make you a master of disguise. Four young friends - Nate, Summer, Trevor, and Pigeon - meet the grandmotherly Mrs. White, owner of the Sweet Tooth, and soon learn about the magical side effects of her candies.
-
-
Entertaining for grade schoolers and their parents
- By D.R. on 07-08-13
By: Brandon Mull
-
The Second Ship
- The Rho Agenda, Book 1
- By: Richard Phillips
- Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews
- Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1948, an alien starship crash-landed in the New Mexico desert and brought with it the key to mankind’s future. Code-named the Rho Project, the landing was shrouded in secrecy, and only the highest-ranking US government and military personnel knew it existed. Until now....
-
-
Terrific story
- By Mike From Mesa on 01-03-13
By: Richard Phillips
-
Rewinder
- By: Brett Battles
- Narrated by: Vikas Adam
- Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
You will never read Denny Younger's name in any history book, will never know what he's done. But even if you did, you'd never believe it. The world as you know it wouldn't be the same without him. Denny was born into one of the lowest rungs of society, but his bleak fortunes abruptly change when the mysterious Upjohn Institute recruits him to be a Rewinder, a verifier of personal histories. The job at first sounds like it involves researching old books and records, but Denny soon learns it's far from it.
-
-
Poul Anderson's Time Patrol meets Jumper
- By Bob on 01-23-15
By: Brett Battles
-
Dark Beginnings
- By: Michael Robertson Jr
- Narrated by: Joe Cliff Thompson
- Length: 2 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With visits from lingering spirits, telepathic whispers, and an uncanny ability to solve the unexplainable, Lance has spent the first 22 years of his life in his small hometown, wishing only to be normal. His mother is his most trusted confidant, and together they've survived as Lance comes to grips with his gifts, his burdens, and the unsettling knowledge of the darkness that lives among us.
-
-
A must listen series
- By Michelle Grindle on 06-21-23
-
Con Academy
- By: Joe Schreiber
- Narrated by: Michael Hinton
- Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's his senior year, and Will Shea has conned his way into one of the country's most elite prep schools. But he soon runs into Andrea, a fellow con artist. With the school not big enough for the both of them, they make a bet that whoever can con Brandt Rush, the richest, most privileged student in the school, out of $50,000 gets to stay at the school. Will starts setting up his con (an online poker scam) with his uncle, who's one of the best grifters in the business, and with the unwanted help of his father.
-
-
Intriguing plot
- By shopper on 12-22-24
By: Joe Schreiber
-
Timebound
- The Chronos Files, Book 1
- By: Rysa Walker
- Narrated by: Kate Rudd
- Length: 12 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Kate Pierce-Keller’s grandmother gives her a strange blue medallion and speaks of time travel, sixteen-year-old Kate assumes the old woman is delusional. But it all becomes horrifyingly real when a murder in the past destroys the foundation of Kate’s present-day life. Suddenly, that medallion is the only thing protecting Kate from blinking out of existence. Kate learns that the 1893 killing is part of something much more sinister, and her genetic ability to time travel makes Kate the only one who can fix the future.
-
-
Completely Enjoyed It
- By Lessa on 06-27-14
By: Rysa Walker
-
The Candy Shop War
- By: Brandon Mull
- Narrated by: Emily Janice Card
- Length: 10 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Welcome to the Sweet Tooth Ice Cream & Candy Shoppe, where the confections are a bit on the... unusual side. Rock candy that makes you weightless. Jawbreakers that make you unbreakable. Chocolate balls that make you a master of disguise. Four young friends - Nate, Summer, Trevor, and Pigeon - meet the grandmotherly Mrs. White, owner of the Sweet Tooth, and soon learn about the magical side effects of her candies.
-
-
Entertaining for grade schoolers and their parents
- By D.R. on 07-08-13
By: Brandon Mull
-
The Second Ship
- The Rho Agenda, Book 1
- By: Richard Phillips
- Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews
- Length: 11 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 1948, an alien starship crash-landed in the New Mexico desert and brought with it the key to mankind’s future. Code-named the Rho Project, the landing was shrouded in secrecy, and only the highest-ranking US government and military personnel knew it existed. Until now....
-
-
Terrific story
- By Mike From Mesa on 01-03-13
By: Richard Phillips
-
Rewinder
- By: Brett Battles
- Narrated by: Vikas Adam
- Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
You will never read Denny Younger's name in any history book, will never know what he's done. But even if you did, you'd never believe it. The world as you know it wouldn't be the same without him. Denny was born into one of the lowest rungs of society, but his bleak fortunes abruptly change when the mysterious Upjohn Institute recruits him to be a Rewinder, a verifier of personal histories. The job at first sounds like it involves researching old books and records, but Denny soon learns it's far from it.
-
-
Poul Anderson's Time Patrol meets Jumper
- By Bob on 01-23-15
By: Brett Battles
-
Dark Beginnings
- By: Michael Robertson Jr
- Narrated by: Joe Cliff Thompson
- Length: 2 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
With visits from lingering spirits, telepathic whispers, and an uncanny ability to solve the unexplainable, Lance has spent the first 22 years of his life in his small hometown, wishing only to be normal. His mother is his most trusted confidant, and together they've survived as Lance comes to grips with his gifts, his burdens, and the unsettling knowledge of the darkness that lives among us.
-
-
A must listen series
- By Michelle Grindle on 06-21-23
-
Con Academy
- By: Joe Schreiber
- Narrated by: Michael Hinton
- Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It's his senior year, and Will Shea has conned his way into one of the country's most elite prep schools. But he soon runs into Andrea, a fellow con artist. With the school not big enough for the both of them, they make a bet that whoever can con Brandt Rush, the richest, most privileged student in the school, out of $50,000 gets to stay at the school. Will starts setting up his con (an online poker scam) with his uncle, who's one of the best grifters in the business, and with the unwanted help of his father.
-
-
Intriguing plot
- By shopper on 12-22-24
By: Joe Schreiber
-
Empty Threat
- The Black Pages, Book 1
- By: Danny Bell
- Narrated by: Whitton A. Frank
- Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Elana Black has the power to make herself fictional. But when she decides to start saving all the people in books and TV shows who die just for the sake of advancing the plot, she quickly learns that she's not the only one with her powers. All Elana wants to do is save people. But these others don't want the stories to change, and they'll do everything they can to stop her.
-
-
Like to get lost in stories? This book's a nod to you
- By Christine E. Moore on 07-29-17
By: Danny Bell
-
In Times Like These: Mega Boxed Set
- By: Nathan Van Coops
- Narrated by: Neil Hellegers
- Length: 61 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Can you outrun the past? Can you outlive the future? One time traveler must find out. Accidental time traveler Ben Travers is thrown into a multiverse of adventure in this action-adventure through past and future. This compilation includes: In Times Like These, The Chronothon, The Day After Never, and The Warp Clock. Now you can get them in one volume! All the adventure at a fraction of the price. Start your time travel adventure today, because yesterday may be too late!
-
-
Unfortunate
- By Kylee on 05-08-22
By: Nathan Van Coops
-
Shades of Pink
- Lola Pink Mysteries Series, Book 1
- By: Gina LaManna
- Narrated by: Wendy Tremont King
- Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
He schedules everything. And I mean everything. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I took this job. I thought it would be simple - pretend to be Mr. Dane Clark's personal assistant, find the missing blueprints, and get out of the Clark Castle for good. But, somehow this socially awkward, tech-genius billionaire has wormed his way into my heart. And even if we survive this mess, I'm not sure I want to leave.
-
-
A cozy romance and mystery
- By BikeVON on 07-14-19
By: Gina LaManna
-
The Blake Brier Thriller Series Boxset - Books 1 to 3
- Unmasked, Unleashed, Uncharted (Blake Brier Boxsets)
- By: L.T. Ryan, Gregory Scott
- Narrated by: Scott Brick
- Length: 22 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The first three books in the riveting new thriller series from Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author L.T. Ryan. The Blake Brier books are gripping thrillers loaded with twists, suspense, and nonstop action.
-
-
Will seek out the next books
- By K. Roko on 11-24-22
By: L.T. Ryan, and others
-
Freak of Nature
- IFICS, Book 1
- By: Julia Crane
- Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky
- Length: 5 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Donate body to science. Check. When 17-year-old Kaitlyn checked the box, she never suspected she'd have her life - and her body - stolen from her. She awakens one day in a secret laboratory to discover that her body is now half robot and is forced to hide her own secret: that she still has human emotions and a human mind. If the scientists who made her find out, they'll erase what remains of who she was.
-
-
Trigger warning, just not worth it
- By Jessica M. Henn on 10-01-19
By: Julia Crane
-
The Slummer: Quarters Till Death
- By: Geoffrey Simpson
- Narrated by: Andrew Tell
- Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In 2083, Benjamin Brandt is among the millions of “slummers” who are relegated to poverty and struggle on the outskirts of society. As a minority growing up in the gritty underbelly of Cleveland’s Industrial Valley, Ben sees the way genetically designed “elites” live only from a distance: from the shadows of public spaces people like him are forbidden to use, and on TV, where he watches the enhanced athletes compete at an extraordinary level. For years, a national track championship has inspired Ben to ferociously cultivate his own talent as a runner.
-
-
Everything
- By Toni Johnson on 03-10-25
By: Geoffrey Simpson
-
We Cast a Shadow
- A Novel
- By: Maurice Carlos Ruffin
- Narrated by: Dion Graham
- Length: 9 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"You can be beautiful, even more beautiful than before." This is the seductive promise of Dr. Nzinga’s clinic, where anyone can get their lips thinned, their skin bleached, and their nose narrowed. A complete demelanization will liberate you from the confines of being born in a Black body - if you can afford it. In this near-future Southern city plagued by fenced-in ghettos and police violence, more and more residents are turning to this experimental medical procedure. Like any father, our narrator just wants the best for his son, Nigel, a biracial boy.
-
-
Fantastic
- By Jade Hawk on 02-03-19
-
Enemies Abroad
- By: R.S. Grey
- Narrated by: Casey Holloway, Miles Johnson
- Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It’s simple: Noah Peterson and I are enemies. Our fellow teachers know it, our friends know it—even the Starbucks drive-through lady knows it. The shrill whine of the school bell announces the start of each day’s no-holds-barred grudge match. Since neither of us is looking to get fired or thrown in prison, we war with our words and our wits. We prefer banter that bites. All day, I’m on edge, looking around every corner, expecting him to do his worst. Summer usually offers the sweetest relief—a two-month Noah detox—but not this year.
-
-
Skip This One
- By C. Y. on 07-08-22
By: R.S. Grey
-
The Infinity Caverns
- Parallel Society, Book 1
- By: Stuart Jaffe
- Narrated by: Stuart Jaffe
- Length: 5 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
There are other worlds. Other universes. And sometimes, they slip into our own. When Veronica “Roni” Rider discovers this, she also learns there are three people tasked with saving our universe - her grandmother and two 70-year-old friends. But it’s hard to defend your world with a bad back and arthritis. Tossed into a new reality that she never expected, Roni must decide if she will step up and join the team or forever leave behind all she has learned and all she cares about. Oh, and she’ll have to save the universe, too.
-
-
2hrs 20 minutes in but is a DNF
- By Diana on 02-14-21
By: Stuart Jaffe
-
The Candymakers
- By: Wendy Mass
- Narrated by: Mark Turetsky
- Length: 11 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
ALA Schneider Family Book Award-winning author Wendy Mass offers this tasty treat of a tale sure to appeal to any listener’s sweet tooth. The Candymakers follows 12-year-olds Logan, Philip, Daisy, and Miles as each tries to invent a candy even better than the Oozing Crunchorama. But with these contestants—who can detect chocolate by touch and lift 50 lbs. of taffy as if it weighed no more than a loaf of bread—it’s going to be a close race.
-
-
Candy makers makes new Audible convert.
- By Ladydaytrippin on 12-23-15
By: Wendy Mass
-
Dark Matters
- Dark Matters Series, Book 1
- By: Michael Dow
- Narrated by: Graham Halstead
- Length: 10 hrs and 41 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rudolph "Rudy" Dersch is the newly minted CEO of the world's largest, multi-trillion-dollar corporate conglomerate. But the job comes with an unexpected twist - an invitation to join the Consortium, a small, secretive group of global elites who effectively decide what's best for the rest of humanity. How does Rudy's struggle to reconcile business and family impact the world's future? And who, if anyone, can break the Consortium's iron grip on the status quo?
-
-
Great story line that builds into real captivating
- By Janine Lex on 09-05-17
By: Michael Dow
-
The Physicists' Daughter
- By: Mary Anna Evans
- Narrated by: Kimberly M. Wetherell
- Length: 10 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
New Orleans, 1944. Sabotage—that's the word on factory worker Justine Byrne's mind as she is repeatedly called to weld machine parts that keep failing with no clear cause. Could someone inside the secretive Carbon Division be deliberately undermining the factory's war efforts? Raised by her late parents to think logically, she also can't help wondering just what the oddly shaped carbon gadgets she assembles day after day have to do with the boats the factory builds....
-
-
A fun insightful read!
- By Tinker on 03-09-23
By: Mary Anna Evans
What listeners say about Running on Merit
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Melissa
- 07-16-22
Next Harry Potter but more
More technological and society ideas along with the great plot and characters. A triumph. Enjoy.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!