Buck Out

By: Ken Benton

Narrated by: Jim Roberts

Malcolm Carter and Ryan Boone, two New York City friends whose lives have been dominated by the financial markets, are about to exchange their charts and reports for guns and survival supplies - but not because they want to. When China and Japan decide it's time to dump US Treasury bonds, an economic nightmare plays out in America. The Federal Reserve watches helplessly as the dollar is decimated, and the resulting food shortage spreads lawlessness across the land like a virus.

Malcolm is a successful day trader who always needs to make one more score before he'll listen to Ryan and diversify some of his assets into real estate or gold. He figures an impressively larger bank account might be the only way he can lure his Secret Service agent ex-wife back.

Malcolm finally hits it big by aggressively shorting bonds when the market crashes but waits too long to invest in tangibles. All that newfound money suddenly won't buy him a bar of gold, a pint of beer, or a minute of Hannah's attention - especially when she's in the field chasing down a former counterfeiting gang.

As luck would have it, Ryan turns out to be a closet doomsday prepper. The two of them attempt to escape the chaotic Big Apple and reach Ryan's land in West Virginia, supplied by only the contents of Ryan's bug-out bag. But it's not going to be an easy journey. Traveling has become difficult and dangerous. Malcolm learns he must redirect the same tenacity that helped him beat the markets toward staying alive on the road...and, hopefully, finding Hannah.

©2015 Andrew P. Kasch (P)2015 Andrew P. Kasch

Liked book but have mild rant.

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

One of the best.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Very suspenseful..was hard to shut it off.

What does Jim Roberts bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Good reader. Nice voices.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes but...it would be a spoiler so I'm not telling

Any additional comments?

Here's the rant. Audible listeners would, you would think, be some of the more educated of the population. After all, not a heck of a lot or people read - or listen any more. So why do some not bother to l listen to the sample for 3 to 5 minutes and then spend much more than that writing really nasty reviews. Use some common sense. I hate to say it but I think the current political climate is influencing many people...those who don't bother with facts ( in this case, listening to the sample ) and than get nasty and insulting instead of reasonable...just like one of our current Presidential candidate. Really sad that he seems to be having an influence even with the mostly bright folk who listen to Audible books. Can't we all just be civilized in our reviews?

An interesting take on SHTF

I read the book first and enjoyed it very much. The story line is well thought-out and progress quite smoothly the different elements all coming together.
Jim Roberts was too dramatic for my taste, also his insertion of an r sound at end of words ending in w took away from the story.
saying that I have not returned the Audible version not do I plan too.

Captivated Me

Would you listen to Buck Out again? Why?

I was very pleased to have the opportunity to listen to this book as a gift from the author. I definitely plan on listening to this story again because the narration made the story flow so well.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

There were unexpected twists and turns that held my attention because although I didn't expect the story to flow that way, the way our world is going they could happen - believable that they could happen even though different than what happens in my life.

What does Jim Roberts bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Mr. Roberts used his voice in a way to assisted my imagination to "see" what the author wrote and "feel" the action and suspense better than just reading the book. I was captivated by the way he assisted the flow to the point where I couldn't quit listening and wound up listening to the entire story without a break longer than a few minute to stretch my legs.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

What would you do if you discovered the monetary system is on the verge of collapse?

Any additional comments?

Allow plenty of time to listen to this audio book because the suspense of what is going to happen next is going to make breaks in listening difficult. I highly recommend this book!

Excellent and potentially real!

What made the experience of listening to Buck Out the most enjoyable?

It was a very good story, very well written and very suspenseful. Characters are all well fleshed out and believable...even the bad guys.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Buck Out?

Can't say....would give too much away but...it was powerful.

What does Jim Roberts bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Thank goodness the author got a new narrator. I listened to the sample of his first book - Surviral - but didn't get it because the narrator was not good...what I heard and what the reviews said confirmed this. This guy sounded good so I got it and was very pleased with the story and the narration. Finished the whole thing in two days. One of those "take long drives just to listen" books.

Any additional comments?

This was a different kind of "end of civilization" story and a bit terrifying because it could happen! I thought the first part about the financial markets collapsing might be boring but it was anything but. Is was fascinating..and a bit of an education.

Great Book

What made the experience of listening to Buck Out the most enjoyable?

Well written with a good story line. A real page turner.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Buck Out?

The collapse of the U.S. dollar. Too close to a real possibility.

What about Jim Roberts’s performance did you like?

Nice job all around.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Buck Out is fine.

Any additional comments?

This was a good, smooth read with many nice insights into how money markets work, along with some practical advice. Solid characters and also read well. Five Stars.

Above Average Story

What made the experience of listening to Buck Out the most enjoyable?

This was a pretty good SHTF ( you know what hits the fan ) Whole situation was very believable and the characters were also believable.

Which scene was your favorite?

The flight from the city on motor scooters.

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

Not really.

Any additional comments?

Most people seemed to like the reader and so did I. However, don't take anybody else's word for it. There is a fairly long ( about 5 minutes ) sample. Listen first to make sure. It always amazes me that people won't take a few minutes to do this and then complain if they don't lie the reader. Kinds of like buying a car without taking a test drive. Not smart.

great writing, horrible narration!!

I nearly gave up on the book simply because this is one of the worst narrators out of the 50 plus novels that I've listened to. The writing is excellent.

Narration terrible.

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

I couldn't even finish it the narration was so terrible.

Would you be willing to try another book from Ken Benton? Why or why not?

Story wise sounded ok, I would check it out if it had a different person reading it.

How could the performance have been better?

Different narrator.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I didn't finish the book.

Any additional comments?

Felt like i wasted my money because I couldn't finish it because of the annoying voice.

Realistic in two ways

Would you listen to Buck Out again? Why?

Probably not but hoping the author writes a sequel.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes...kept going from one "cliff-hanger" to another and actually "fleshed out" the bad guys...even felt bad for one of the them when he got his just desserts.

Which scene was your favorite?

Where the camped out and met the Baptist minister. Although he was a fairly minor character, he was very well done...and the reader did a great job with his voice.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Title of book sounds fine to me

Any additional comments?

I'm a stockbroker and found the events leading to financial chaos well done and, unfortunately very possible. I'm also a fan of suspense novels and "what if" scenarios so I really enjoyed the rest of the book as well. Too bad this is the only audio book by this author.

Enjoyable story

What made the experience of listening to Buck Out the most enjoyable?

God story. Likable and realistic characters.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Malcolm...a man with a conscience and one true love.

Have you listened to any of Jim Roberts’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I liked his narration.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

When the dollar hits the fan.

Any additional comments?

Book started off with a detailed description of the turmoil in the financial markets, due to China and Japan dumping huge quantities of American Bonds. Author obviously knows his way around the markets. Besides being a good story is serves as an education about the possibility of a devaluation of our currency after a financial crisis.