TheDiesel Odyssey of Clessie Cummins is a lively historical account ofan American entrepreneur and inventor best-known as the father of the Americandiesel truck. The adventurous path of Clessie Cummins is told from his early exploitsas a boy genius through the founding and success of his global brand andcompany. AuthorC. Lyle Cummins, Jr., who is Clessie's son, peersinto every corner of Clessie's life, from his first foray into the enginebusiness at age eleven--when he began building steam engines out of pennies andshotgun shells until a mob of disgruntled locals shut down hisenterprise--through a lifetime of miraculous stunts, such as accidentally convincinga town he created an engine that could run on river water! Lyle Cumminsrecounts memories of his father from his own youth and describes how later, asa practicing engineer, he saw other sides of the man who would become hisemployer, mentor, and colleague. Cummins's formal schooling ended at the eighth grade. Despitethat, he generated thirty-three US patents over fifty-six years. A racer atheart, he set world speed and endurance records in race cars and trucks.TheAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Society of AutomotiveEngineers posthumously honored Clessie Cummins for his achievements. A tirelessindividual, years of grueling effort resulted in declining health. Yet, in hisretirement, he created a new product that launched a second industry. Foranyone who loves engines, innovation, or early American history, thiseasy-to-read and engaging book is a must.