The mysterious case of Rudolf Diesel: genius, power, and deception on the eve of World War I

Part I: War & oil engines, 1858-1897

An international identity ; A brief stay in London ; A new empire in Europe ; Is anyone truly self-made? ; Petroleum upends the game ; Pursuit of the ideal ; Meant for more than a salary ; Wilhelm II envies a navy ; The birth of diesel power ; Part II: Diesel proliferation, 1897-1910 ; Lord Kelvin goes first ; A hiccup before the grand prize ; The trappings of success ; A study of the sleeping giant ; "The old house" fights for its life ; The Kaiser adopts "risk theory" ; A place among the armaments of nations ; Dawn of the new era ; Part III: Masterpiece, 1910-1913

Rudolf Diesel breaks ranks ; The admiralty boards the MS Selandina ; Secrets of the first Lord ; The great light to the west ; Rising pressure ; The final months ; SS Dresden: September 29, 1913 ; Part IV: Vanishing act

The world reacts ; The available theories ; Operation Rudolf Diesel ; Fingerprints ; Epilogue: at last.