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The Diesel Odyssey of Clessie Cummins

by C Lyle Cummins

The Diesel Odyssey of Clessie Cummins Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Clessie Cummins was the father of the American Truck diesel. His inventive genius generated 33 U.S. Patents over 56 years. He founded and was president for nineteen years of the diesel engine company bearing his name. Salesman and enterpreneur, he set world speed and endurance records in race cars and trucks. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Society of Automotive Engineers posthumously honored him for his pioneering achievements. He was an educated man, althought his formal schooling ended at the eight grade. A tirelss individual, he paid a price in declining health for years of grueling effort yet, in his retirement, he created a new product which launched a second industry. At almost eighty he designed, built and ran a new concept engine in his basement shop.

The Diesel Odyssey is more than a recitation of a unique individual's exploits and accomplishements. It also tells of successes and adversities through historical research and personal knowledge. The author adds remembrances of his father while growing up, and later, as a practicing engineer who saw other sides of the man now his employer, mentor and colleague during seven of those productive sunset years.

Book News Annotation:

Engineer and historian Cummins' third book is about his father Clessie (1888-1968), a pioneer of the American diesel truck. He combines company records and other documents with Clessie's memoirs and his own memory both of his childhood and of working with and for his dad as an adult.
Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Synopsis:

In The Diesel Odyssey Lyle Cummins follows his other highly recommended books, Internal Fire and Diesel's Engine, with this revealing account of this father's personal, technical and business life. He uses the same documented and readable style that has made his earlier work so well received. In addition to several notable awards for his writings on internal combustion engine history, Cummins holds five fuel injection related U.S. Patents. His extensive career in mechanical engineering, product development and as an historian for over twenty-five years brings a critical objectivity to the incredible story he tells.

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
nick61, October 24, 2007 (view all comments by nick61)
really good book. i love the cummins and this book explanes the history of how it started.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780917308048
Publisher:
Carnot Press
Location:
Wilsonville, Oregon :
Subject:
Automobiles
Subject:
Diesel motor
Subject:
Mechanical engineers
Subject:
Diesel motor -- History.
Subject:
Automobiles -- Motors (Diesel) -- History.
Edition Description:
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Publication Date:
c1998
Binding:
hardcover
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
xiii, 399 p.

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