Summary

In the second section of the novel, Albert Einstein receives a letter from Karl Schwarzschild that contains “the first exact solution to the equations of general relativity” (37). The work stuns Einstein, particularly because Schwarzschild completed the equation while serving in World War I. Labatut then recounts Schwarzschild’s calculations. Schwarzschild uses a hypothetical, perfect star in order to solve Einstein’s equations. He notices, however, that the collapse of a star would create “an inescapable abyss” (39), which becomes known as the Schwarzschild singularity. The idea of this terrible singularity consumes Schwarzschild as he serves in the war. Labatut reveals that Schwarzschild falls ill and dies after two months.

Labatut describes Schwarzschild’s kindness, intelligence, and fear during the war. He recounts Schwarzschild’s childhood, during which he was “obsessed by light” (42). Schwarzschild becomes a prodigy in mathematics and astronomy as a young man. He...