The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel

Genius, Power, and Deception on the Eve of World War I

By: Douglas Brunt

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 12 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

The hidden history of one of the world’s greatest inventors, a man who disrupted the status quo and then disappeared into thin air on the eve of World War I—this 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 Britain’s 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, Rockefeller’s bottom line depended on the world’s 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 Germany’s 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 Diesel’s 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).

©2023 Douglas Brunt (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio

Just a girl and an audio book.

I love history and I learned so much listening to this book. Well done! I am fascinated.

Excellent

Best historical account of the industrial age I've read. But more than history, its a story...reads like a mystery novel.

fascinating

well wrote, well paced, well read.

I was captivated from start to finish and came very close to finishing it in one session.

Wow! Great Listen!

There is so much history in this wide-reaching story. I heard the author on a podcast discussing the general premise and the mystery surrounding Diesel’s disappearance. I did not see this conclusion coming! This is one I will be pondering for quite some time!

I gave the performance a 4-star only because of the accent of the narrator on the German words. I’m sure that he was accurate, but it made the listening a little tougher for me.

More history than mystery

This was a Very good history review mostly skipped in US education system conjecture excluded

Great story!

Very intriguing with lots of fascinating details! I had no idea there had ever even been a Rudolph Diesel. I’m glad there was, as the world would be so much different without his having been here! Delightful story, and the reader did a fine job with the various languages he periodically had to speak, he sounded as native with them as he did with English. 🙂👍

Motivation

Makes you want to buy a Diesel!! Highly recommend this-great for a road trip!

Reads like a novel but so much historical information!

This is so well researched. I appreciate how the author connected the dots across countries, industries and two world wars. I could not stop listening. The mystery still looms large!

Fascinating every way you look at it!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have always like Diesel engines, even as a young girl, though I knew nothing about them. I loved the sound of the engines, was fascinated with the drivers leaving the engines on while running into 7-11, the fact the didn’t stink, and the green handle is the petro pump. Then my husband bought a Ram 3500 6-speed Diesel dually, and I fell in love! I fought him to drive the truck, I loved the power of the engine!
So when I heard Doug Brunt talking about his book, on the Megyn Kelly show, I bought it immediately. I’m so glad I did! I never knew the engine was actually named after its inventor, it the era in which it was invented. Doug does a wonderful job painting the picture of Rudolf’s life, his trials and triumphs, and the stories of his biggest cheerleaders and nemesis.
He also does a great job leading to the anticipation of Diesel’s mysterious death. I was caught completely off guard with Brunt’s theory, however can completely see his reasoning.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes mechanics, Gilded Age history, WWI history, or just good murder mysteries!

Scott Brick does an excellent job narrating.

Learned so much

Great storytelling that paints a great picture of an age similar to our own. A time when technological advances were upending the world. Every single day while listening to this book, I would share two or three fascinating tidbits with my wife.