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The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel
The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel: Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War I | Douglas Brunt
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The hidden history of one of the worlds greatest inventors, a man who disrupted the status quo and then disappeared into thin air on the eve of World War Ithis book answers the hundred-year-old mystery of what really became of Rudolf Diesel. September 29, 1913: the steamship Dresden is halfway between Belgium and England. On board is one of the most famous men in the world, Rudolf Diesel, whose new internal combustion engine is on the verge of revolutionizing global industry forever. But Diesel never arrives at his destination. He vanishes during the night and headlines around the world wonder if it was an accident, suicide, or murder. After rising from an impoverished European childhood, Diesel had become a multi-millionaire with his powerful engine that does not require expensive petroleum-based fuel. In doing so, he became not only an international celebrity but also the enemy of two extremely powerful men: Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and John D. Rockefeller, the founder of Standard Oil and the richest man in the world. The Kaiser wanted the engine to power a fleet of submarines that would finally allow him to challenge Great Britains Royal Navy. But Diesel had intended for his engine to be used for the betterment of mankind and refused to keep the technology out of the hands of the British or any other nation. For John D. Rockefeller, the engine was nothing less than an existential threat to his vast and lucrative oil empire. As electric lighting began to replace kerosene lamps, Rockefellers bottom line depended on the worlds growing thirst for gasoline to power its automobiles and industries. At the outset of this new age of electricity and oil, Europe stood on the precipice of war. Rudolf Diesel grew increasingly concerned about Germanys rising nationalism and military spending. The inventor was on his way to London to establish a new company that would help Britain improve its failing submarine program when he disappeared. Now, New York Times bestselling author Douglas Brunt reopens the case and provides an astonishing new conclusion about Diesels fate. Equal parts Walter Isaacson and Sherlock Holmes, The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel yanks back the curtain on the greatest caper of the 20th century in this riveting history (Jay Winik, New York Times bestselling author).
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The Book Review Haiku
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A genius, artist.

To fight for humanity,

When the world wants war?

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RamsFan1963
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12/150 While this sounds like the title of an Agatha Christie novel, it's actually the true story of the mysterious disappearance of Rudolph Diesel, pioneering engineer and designer of the diesel engine. Intertwined with the story of Diesel's life is the history of industry, specifically the advancements in mechanical engines, leading up to World War I. What happened to Diesel? Suicide? Accident? Was he done in by German spies ⬇️⬇️⬇️

RamsFan1963 determined to keep Diesel's new engine designs out of Allied hands before WWI? Or was it Pinkerton agents sent by J.D. Rockefeller to put an end to a rival of the gasoline engine and Rockefeller's oil empire? The concluding solution is both elegant and makes the most sense given the available data. 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 9mo
Crazeedi I bought this when I hear author conversation, it sounds really interesting 9mo
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RamsFan1963 @Crazeedi Scott Brick narrates the book. He's always been one of my favorite narrators, he never disappoints. 9mo
DieAReader 🥳Great! 9mo
Crazeedi @RamsFan1963 oh boy, I got the physical book, but the audio would be really good 9mo
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quirkyreader
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#Bookmail I won this in a goodreads giveaway. Thank you Atria Books and @SimonSchuster