Book Review: The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel by Douglas Brunt (2023)
Synopsis: Born into poverty but with a gift for curiosity and engineering, Rudolf Diesel took full advantage of his unlikely opportunity for an education and used his gifts to invent, among other things, an engine that was a technological masterpiece, making him a millionaire. However, Diesel's rags-to-riches story ended with a mystery after he disappeared September 30, 1913. This non-fiction book tells his story, the story of those who were impactful in his life and the days following his disappearance.
Review: I didn't have any books on hold the last time I was at the library so, after picking out one from an author I was familiar with and a second one that I later discovered I didn't like enough to even make it past the second chapter, I visited the non-fiction section. The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel stood out as I passed one of the shelves, so I figured I'd give it a try.
It turned out to be an interesting read.
To be honest, prior to reading this book, I didn't know a whole lot about Diesel engines or even that they were invented by a guy with the last name of Diesel. That, alone, was educational. However, the book didn't stop there.
I don't say this often, but this was a book that legitimately taught me something new with each chapter. Sometimes it was about Rudolf Diesel's life. Other times, it was the science behind his inventions, both the engine and others, like his restaurant-grade ice maker.
The book also delves into other influential figures that both played a key role in Diesel's life and history in general. This included John D. Rockefeller and Kaiser Wilhelm II. I was especially intrigued by the latter because the author gave a very detailed description of how Wilhelm ended up in power in Germany and the events in his life, including a disability, that shaped his political views. That, when combined with a good overview of German history and politics made it clear just how important Diesel's engine was and made me question how world history might have changed had he been able to study in Paris, where his family lived, or if he hadn't gotten the opportunities he did.
Based on the book's title, I had expected it to spend a bit more time on his disappearance than it did. However, despite that, I did think the author was very thorough when discussing the disappearance, the aftermath and the various theories about what could have happened, ranging from suicide to an assassination, while also addressing the overall impact Diesel had on the world in the years to come. At minimum, it provided a solemn ending to a book that focused on the man and his life.
Final Opinion: As I said, it was an interesting book that was educating me with every chapter, and not just on the person it was written about. It is worth taking the time to read, especially if you like real-life mysteries.
My Grade: A
_________________________________________________________________
Here are some reviews of other non-fiction books:
Book Review: The Pirate Queen by Susan Ronald (2007)
Book Review: The Forbidden Garden by Simon Parkin (2024)
Book Review: Killing Patton by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard (2014)
Comments
Post a Comment