Douglas Brunt's introduction to his fascinating new work offers some insights for readers and book groups to the story behind the story: “I came upon a list of “mysterious disappearances at sea.” Down the list a bit I saw the name Rudolf Diesel and wondered if there was any connection between this person and my new Diesel marine engines. I clicked to a summary of the events of September 29, 1913, and began the extraordinary voyage that led to this book…”