Iron Fist: The Lives of Carl Kiekhaefer

Rating:
Summary: Part of an unbeatable combination
Review: As anyone reading this review will know, Cark Kiekhaefer was one of the godfathers of the racing world. His Kiekhaefer 625 motors and Don Aronow's cigarette designs, decimated the competition for many years. The book made me appreciate just how hard he strived for success. It also brings to light a softer, more vulnerable side to Kiekhaefer that is endearing. I'm sure he probably would have been highly embarrassed. The book is a great account of a life that I believe would make a great movie. If you liked the offshore world of the 70's and 80's where monohulls and KAM power ruled - you should enjoy the book. The only drawback for me personally was that there weren't more pictures.

Rating:
Summary: An incredible book for Mercury outboards fanatics
Review: As one who grew up on a marina in central Ky., the outboard "wars" of the 1960-70's were a major part of my life. We were Mercury fanatics in Evinrude country. Rodengen's work on the life of Carl Kiekhaefer is mandatory reading for anyone who worshipped at the Mercury altar. It confirms the genius of Kiekhaefer, and the superiority of his product, while at the same time making clear the weaknesses that ultimately led to the loss of his company to Brunswick, and with it the unique "personality" that made Kiekhaefer Mercury the beloved company of its time.

The most amazing thing to me was the number of engineering accomplishments and the ultimate dominance of the marine industry by the men in black. For any Mercury devotee, this book will literally cause tears in your eyes. I'm glad it was written.

Rating:
Summary: An incredible book for Mercury outboards fanatics
Review: As one who grew up on a marina in central Ky., the outboard "wars" of the 1960-70's were a major part of my life. We were Mercury fanatics in Evinrude country. Rodengen's work on the life of Carl Kiekhaefer is mandatory reading for anyone who worshipped at the Mercury altar. It confirms the genius of Kiekhaefer, and the superiority of his product, while at the same time making clear the weaknesses that ultimately led to the loss of his company to Brunswick, and with it the unique "personality" that made Kiekhaefer Mercury the beloved company of its time.

The most amazing thing to me was the number of engineering accomplishments and the ultimate dominance of the marine industry by the men in black. For any Mercury devotee, this book will literally cause tears in your eyes. I'm glad it was written.

Rating:
Summary: An incredible book for Mercury outboards fanatics
Review: As one who grew up on a marina in central Ky., the outboard "wars" of the 1960-70's were a major part of my life. We were Mercury fanatics in Evinrude country. Rodengen's work on the life of Carl Kiekhaefer is mandatory reading for anyone who worshipped at the Mercury altar. It confirms the genius of Kiekhaefer, and the superiority of his product, while at the same time making clear the weaknesses that ultimately led to the loss of his company to Brunswick, and with it the unique "personality" that made Kiekhaefer Mercury the beloved company of its time.

The most amazing thing to me was the number of engineering accomplishments and the ultimate dominance of the marine industry by the men in black. For any Mercury devotee, this book will literally cause tears in your eyes. I'm glad it was written.

Rating:
Summary: Biography of Keikhaefer and history of Mercury Outboards
Review: Rodengen has written what is likely to remain the most complete Keikhaefer biography, and because of this man's life will be the detailed history of Mercury outboards. Rodengen reveals here for the first time: who really invented the inboard/outboard and why Volvo and Mercury never challenged each others patents. He details how Keikhaefer made the mistake of a lifetime, and lost everything he had built. How the genius engineer inventor, Charles Strang was lost from Mercury as an employee, and from Carl as a friend, and became instead the leader and CEO of the "Enemy", at Evinrude. Loaded with detail, and fully indexed, a work to be admired and a "must-have" for any Mercury Outboards fanatic.

Rating:
Summary: my favorite subject!
Review: This book is full of details few imagined about Kiekhaeffer and Mercury Outboards. Many of his personal triumphs and disasters are explained. Mr. Rodengen has done a very through job of researching the story of a very secretative and often confusing character. Serendipity often followed this gentleman through his amazing career. From early on when outboard motors were not his intended focus, to when he sold Mercury to Brunswick (for what turned out to be a less than favorable deal for him, though he remained well off by average standards) to his last adventure with the rejuvenated Kiekhaeffer Aeromarine as an Offshore racing engine and outdrive maker making him another fortune in boating. The story is very interesting, but the source material for the book is Mr. Rodengen's anthology of of his own magazine articles about Mercury and Kiekhaeffer. While background information was necessary in each magazine installment a little too much remains in each chapter and story for best clarity. I recommend perservering with the writing style to learn this interesting story that is told no where else.