You see Diesel fuel sold at every gas station, then realize many cars, many trucks, all long haul trucks, all heavy equipment, many boats, and many trains run on Diesel fuel. But did you know Diesel is someone’s name— Rudolf Diesel? I did not! At the heart of this captivating book is a mystery, which grows in significance as you learn the historical context.

Rudolf Diesel rose from desperately poor to very well educated, as an academic and engineer, chasing a dream. He wanted to invent a motor that would be small, clean, powered by locally sourced fuel, and capable of assisting rural, artisanal workers, lifting them from poverty. While his invention, the Diesel engine, was smaller than the steam engine of his day, cleaner than the competing Otto gasoline engine, relatively quiet, and could be powered by anything from vegetable oil to coal oil, it was not to be the solution for artisans that he imagined. Instead, it was destined to help spark the arms race that made World War I so very deadly.

While Diesel’s engine was used in nearly every form of powered locomotion, the immediate application that caught like wildfire was its use as a marine engine. When the Diesel engine powered cargo ships, there was a reduction in crew (no need to shovel coal), weight of fuel and engine, due to its amazing fuel efficiency. All this meant more room for cargo, and far fewer refueling and servicing delays. While this was truly revolutionary, the timely application proved to be the engine’s use in military ships, especially submarines. The reductions in noise, crew, fuel, and poisonous exhaust; the increases in fuel efficiency, all made Diesel an ideal solution for its use on subs. The British Royal Navy ruled the seas at the beginning of the Twentieth century, much to the envy and chagrin of Kaiser Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany. He had great hegemonic ambitions, and saw Great Britain as his primary rival. Rudolf Diesel had no similar ambition for his country, identifying more as a “citizen of the world”, and despising nationalistic fervor. What’s more, Diesel had developed rewarding relationships with like-minded industrial innovators from various countries, with whom he worked to improve the design and applications of his engine. Improving the usefulness of his engine was far more important to Diesel than Wilhelm’s arms race.

As Diesel’s engine was on the rise, John D. Rockefeller was teetering on a knife’s edge. His domination of the fuel industry was perilous at the time, since Edison’s electrical illumination rendered kerosine unnecessary. The gasoline powered automobile had not yet gained prominence. Enter Diesel’s engine, which could be powered by nearly anything at hand, but not requiring Rockefeller’s oil or gas. If Diesel engines dominated the automobile industry, that could spell the end of Standard Oil and Rockefeller.

So when Diesel inexplicably disappeared from a Channel ferry on September 29, 1913, the mystery began. Was it suicide? Did Rockefeller or the German Kaiser have him eliminated? Or was there another explanation? You will learn about Gilded Age world politics, the feverous turn-of-the-century explosion of invention, and the story of an important figure you may never have heard of. Enjoy this accessible, well researched nonfiction story, imbedded in a fascinating mystery. Excellent choice for a book discussion group, debating the most likely reason for Diesel’s disappearance.