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  • 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
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (14 ratings)

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The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel

By: Douglas Brunt
Narrated by: Scott Brick
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Summary

This instant New York Times bestselling “dynamic detective story” (The New York Times) reveals the hidden history Rudolf Diesel, one of the world’s greatest inventors, and his mysterious disappearance on the eve of World War I.

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 the world.

Now, New York Times bestselling author Douglas Brunt reopens the case and provides an “absolutely riveting” (Chris Bohjalian, #1 New York Times bestselling author) new conclusion about Diesel’s fate. Brunt’s book is “equal parts Walter Isaacson and Sherlock Holmes, [and] 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
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What listeners say about The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

The fascinating story of Diesel’s life and the uncovering of so much that is taken for granted these days.

The strange prononciation of some words “dissel” (diesel) and “elimination” (illumination) grated for a while

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A great listen - full of conspiracy

I only read this due to having it recommended- I not only learned a great deal about the workings and history of the Diesel engine, I found out a lot about the underhand practices of the big oil and energy businesses. An interesting tale weaves it all together and I am a bit ashamed I’d never heard anything of the tale of the inventor of the Diesel engine… but then … that’s what they wanted. History, as they say, is written by the survivors.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A great man who should be buried in Westminster Abbey!

The evils of war know no bounds. Rudolf’s vision was to improve humanity for the better. What an amazing man.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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An extremely good read

This book is filled with lots of very interesting history. I really enjoyed the information on lots of extraordinary people which set the scene for what could have happened to Rudolph Diesel. well worth a listen.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

He’s very a boring voice

His voice is fantastic. If you read him, just go to bed he’ll be put asleep perfectly as for the book it was very informative.

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