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kells30's review against another edition
3.0
This is a Spanish translation by a Chilean author. The books starts out with a chronicle of facts about suicides following WWII, which, needless to say, was hard going! Within this though, are interesting scientific facts which caught the beginning of my interest: 40% of humanity do not possess the gene to distinguish the aroma of almonds given off by cyanide; that same poison is a by-product of the pigment beloved by artists; Prussian Blue. Fascinating. I was very quickly awed by the ingenious journey of facts from suicide to European art onwards: there is such a great deal of history just passingly mentioned with great skill - Labatut makes this journey of historical knowledge completely riveting.
This is not always an easy read; there’s next to no dialogue in the book, instead it’s a more of a narrative of historical characters who broke the ‘limits of thought’; it is however a highly interesting read. From the blurb I was expecting a piece of historical fiction about the brilliant twentieth century physics and mathematics that shaped modern day quantum mechanics - and it does recount that, but not like any other fiction book I have ever read or could have expected.
Schwarzchild becomes obsessed with trying to disprove the idea of the singularity which he finds in his equations (aka a black hole), something he can’t conceive of as truly possible and is in increasing despair over - physics loses all meaning at the point at which a black hole can exist. This is just one of the many ways the book approaches the concept of the title, within 5 distinct stories. Some of the stories I found more interesting than others.
Although this is most definitely fiction, most of what it recounts as far as I have looked up is fact, enveloped in beautiful prose. However, Labatut presents us to these scientists and mathematicians in a marvellous and engaging way, and one which helps in understanding the pioneering leaps of scientific discovery and debate. Recommended for fans of Carlo Rovelli.
I’m giving a 3, not because I think it is average, but because I’m unsure how I feel about it. It’s difficult to read genius summarising difficult to understand geniuses and their theories, so it’s... difficult to categorise or to rate. But very thought provoking.
My thanks to #NetGalley and Pushkin Press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is out on the 3rd September in the UK.
This is not always an easy read; there’s next to no dialogue in the book, instead it’s a more of a narrative of historical characters who broke the ‘limits of thought’; it is however a highly interesting read. From the blurb I was expecting a piece of historical fiction about the brilliant twentieth century physics and mathematics that shaped modern day quantum mechanics - and it does recount that, but not like any other fiction book I have ever read or could have expected.
Schwarzchild becomes obsessed with trying to disprove the idea of the singularity which he finds in his equations (aka a black hole), something he can’t conceive of as truly possible and is in increasing despair over - physics loses all meaning at the point at which a black hole can exist. This is just one of the many ways the book approaches the concept of the title, within 5 distinct stories. Some of the stories I found more interesting than others.
Although this is most definitely fiction, most of what it recounts as far as I have looked up is fact, enveloped in beautiful prose. However, Labatut presents us to these scientists and mathematicians in a marvellous and engaging way, and one which helps in understanding the pioneering leaps of scientific discovery and debate. Recommended for fans of Carlo Rovelli.
I’m giving a 3, not because I think it is average, but because I’m unsure how I feel about it. It’s difficult to read genius summarising difficult to understand geniuses and their theories, so it’s... difficult to categorise or to rate. But very thought provoking.
My thanks to #NetGalley and Pushkin Press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is out on the 3rd September in the UK.
cwurst's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
hasanreads's review against another edition
4.0
A very fascinating recollection of historical events in the physics world. Dips in and out of non fiction and fiction setting a strong narrative throughout. Ending is also well thought out.
adrianaad1980's review against another edition
5.0
I picked the book by chance. Only to get so hooked to it, that was looking for small opportunities during the day to continue reading it. After finishing it, invested even more time to further get acquainted with the main historical figures described in the book, and to delve into two very good reviews about the novel - one in The New Yorker and one in the New York Times.
Why this attraction. The style of writing is quite peculiar and engaging - a crafty mixture between non-fiction (science, history) and fiction. The result being a curious take on some of the most prolific and illustrious minds of the 20th century whose inventions and research have laid the grounds for revolutionary advances and findings in mathematics, astronomy, physics, ...society overall. But what has become of these? What was the effect upon the minds who have reached the unimaginable depths of their superhuman intelligence?
I truly loved how the book ended. After pages and pages of awe-inspiring and disturbing genius, the finishing chapters ground us in beautiful in its simplicity nature surroundings and gardening routines to sympathetically provoke us to dwell upon the question - is the toll of reaching such scientific heights worth it? Do we understand and see the consequences of the processes?
Why this attraction. The style of writing is quite peculiar and engaging - a crafty mixture between non-fiction (science, history) and fiction. The result being a curious take on some of the most prolific and illustrious minds of the 20th century whose inventions and research have laid the grounds for revolutionary advances and findings in mathematics, astronomy, physics, ...society overall. But what has become of these? What was the effect upon the minds who have reached the unimaginable depths of their superhuman intelligence?
I truly loved how the book ended. After pages and pages of awe-inspiring and disturbing genius, the finishing chapters ground us in beautiful in its simplicity nature surroundings and gardening routines to sympathetically provoke us to dwell upon the question - is the toll of reaching such scientific heights worth it? Do we understand and see the consequences of the processes?
bagusayp's review against another edition
4.0
Now shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2021.
It is easy to forget that any information that we took for granted as scientific facts right now are merely the results of recent advances that have been made in scientific inquiry in the previous century. The twentieth century might be the deadliest era of human history with conflicts spanning from the Great War – the war that supposedly ended all wars – in 1914 until the conflicts in the Balkans and former Soviet territories following the fall of communism. The First World War was especially the most disastrous with the way mechanization changed the previously observed rules related to war. Benjamín Labatut starts his narrative by chronicling the work of Fritz Haber who invented the deadly gas used by the German Army during the First World War, even though many would remember him more later on for his notable achievement in the invention of fertilizer. Ironically, Zyklon, the gas invented by Haber would later be used by the Nazis to murder Haber’s fellow Jews. How are we supposed to understand the world when we are confronted with the dark sides of science?
A work of fiction inspired by a series of historical events is how this work is simply about, but it’s not as simple as it sounds. In some ways, it echoes the way Olga Tokarczuk approaches the biographies of several characters in [b:Flights|46226186|Flights|Olga Tokarczuk|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1560163588l/46226186._SY75_.jpg|2014747] that brings it close to the imagination as clear as a day. In Schwarzschild Singularity, for example, Benjamín Labatut goes into details describing the life of Karl Schwarzschild, a former confidant of Albert Einstein who helped to support Einstein’s theory of general relativity. Schwarzschild, an astrophysicist who directed the Potsdam Observatory, tried to apply Einstein’s theory of general relativity into objects in outer space. Beyond biographical description, Benjamín Labatut describes Schwarzschild’s discovery with details that are stunning for lay readers in metaphorical ways that blend science and philosophy.
Throughout his life, Einstein tried so hard to develop a Theory of Everything that could explain the paradoxical nature of quantum mechanics. He began to loathe the field that he previously initiated, and was spiteful at his inability to discover the universal law of nature that he gave his infamous remark: “God does not play the dice with the world.” So many scientists, from de Broglie and Schrödinger with their supports of the study of wave mechanics, as well as Heisenberg with his uncertainty principle tried to explain the nature of atoms. Heisenberg especially developed his realisation during the time of his retreat in Helgoland, told in great details in Carlo Rovelli’s [b:Helgoland|55303641|Helgoland|Carlo Rovelli|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1611753436l/55303641._SY75_.jpg|85224137], where he developed a system of quantum mechanics based on matrices of algebra. Schrödinger also found his realisation during his delirious state as he was cared for by Miss Herwig when he was on the verge of giving up physics altogether after a series of failure in building up his career. Blending historical facts and fictionalised recounting, this book gives goosebumps about quantum mechanics discoveries.
I’m not sure if I get the main message, but it rather gives me an impression of the dark sides of science and the impossibility of knowledge when faced with higher unknown forces. It reminds me somehow of the 1980’s film directed by Polish director Krzysztof Zanussi, The Constant Factor, in which the main character attempts to calculate mathematical equations while seeking ways to explain the logic behind the constant factor. In many cases, the constant factor remains the same and it is unexplainable how a set of number could balance some calculation. What the professor says in that film: “What you can calculate, ceases to be a mystery.” In that sense, Benjamín Labatut also triggers an intriguing discussion about the moral values of science. Do we need to understand everything? And if we understand everything, will we put it to some good use?
For lay readers, get prepared to get messed up in the head. Thankfully, there are not many mathematical equations in this book. Einstein's biography, [b:Einstein: His Life and Universe|19031590|Einstein His Life and Universe|Walter Isaacson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1533833071l/19031590._SY75_.jpg|985244] by Walter Isaacson, actually contains more equations than those that exist in this book. However, I would think that recalling high school lessons in physics would help to understand some concepts explained by Labatut. Overall I like the ideas, even though I remain sceptical about whether this book will be understood correctly by lay readers. In some ways, it also helps me to think more than our current world is not entirely singular, that there are always some double meanings, that each branch of knowledge does not stand independently from each other.
It is easy to forget that any information that we took for granted as scientific facts right now are merely the results of recent advances that have been made in scientific inquiry in the previous century. The twentieth century might be the deadliest era of human history with conflicts spanning from the Great War – the war that supposedly ended all wars – in 1914 until the conflicts in the Balkans and former Soviet territories following the fall of communism. The First World War was especially the most disastrous with the way mechanization changed the previously observed rules related to war. Benjamín Labatut starts his narrative by chronicling the work of Fritz Haber who invented the deadly gas used by the German Army during the First World War, even though many would remember him more later on for his notable achievement in the invention of fertilizer. Ironically, Zyklon, the gas invented by Haber would later be used by the Nazis to murder Haber’s fellow Jews. How are we supposed to understand the world when we are confronted with the dark sides of science?
A work of fiction inspired by a series of historical events is how this work is simply about, but it’s not as simple as it sounds. In some ways, it echoes the way Olga Tokarczuk approaches the biographies of several characters in [b:Flights|46226186|Flights|Olga Tokarczuk|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1560163588l/46226186._SY75_.jpg|2014747] that brings it close to the imagination as clear as a day. In Schwarzschild Singularity, for example, Benjamín Labatut goes into details describing the life of Karl Schwarzschild, a former confidant of Albert Einstein who helped to support Einstein’s theory of general relativity. Schwarzschild, an astrophysicist who directed the Potsdam Observatory, tried to apply Einstein’s theory of general relativity into objects in outer space. Beyond biographical description, Benjamín Labatut describes Schwarzschild’s discovery with details that are stunning for lay readers in metaphorical ways that blend science and philosophy.
Throughout his life, Einstein tried so hard to develop a Theory of Everything that could explain the paradoxical nature of quantum mechanics. He began to loathe the field that he previously initiated, and was spiteful at his inability to discover the universal law of nature that he gave his infamous remark: “God does not play the dice with the world.” So many scientists, from de Broglie and Schrödinger with their supports of the study of wave mechanics, as well as Heisenberg with his uncertainty principle tried to explain the nature of atoms. Heisenberg especially developed his realisation during the time of his retreat in Helgoland, told in great details in Carlo Rovelli’s [b:Helgoland|55303641|Helgoland|Carlo Rovelli|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1611753436l/55303641._SY75_.jpg|85224137], where he developed a system of quantum mechanics based on matrices of algebra. Schrödinger also found his realisation during his delirious state as he was cared for by Miss Herwig when he was on the verge of giving up physics altogether after a series of failure in building up his career. Blending historical facts and fictionalised recounting, this book gives goosebumps about quantum mechanics discoveries.
I’m not sure if I get the main message, but it rather gives me an impression of the dark sides of science and the impossibility of knowledge when faced with higher unknown forces. It reminds me somehow of the 1980’s film directed by Polish director Krzysztof Zanussi, The Constant Factor, in which the main character attempts to calculate mathematical equations while seeking ways to explain the logic behind the constant factor. In many cases, the constant factor remains the same and it is unexplainable how a set of number could balance some calculation. What the professor says in that film: “What you can calculate, ceases to be a mystery.” In that sense, Benjamín Labatut also triggers an intriguing discussion about the moral values of science. Do we need to understand everything? And if we understand everything, will we put it to some good use?
For lay readers, get prepared to get messed up in the head. Thankfully, there are not many mathematical equations in this book. Einstein's biography, [b:Einstein: His Life and Universe|19031590|Einstein His Life and Universe|Walter Isaacson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1533833071l/19031590._SY75_.jpg|985244] by Walter Isaacson, actually contains more equations than those that exist in this book. However, I would think that recalling high school lessons in physics would help to understand some concepts explained by Labatut. Overall I like the ideas, even though I remain sceptical about whether this book will be understood correctly by lay readers. In some ways, it also helps me to think more than our current world is not entirely singular, that there are always some double meanings, that each branch of knowledge does not stand independently from each other.
brisingr's review against another edition
2.0
DNF around 100 pages in. really liked the writing style, but i can't tell you how little i care about anything it is saying. my fault entirely bc i didn't look up what this was about, or i would have never read it, reaaaally not my thing
kenhunt's review against another edition
challenging
informative
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Drags in a few parts during the real flights of paranoia or insanity but mostly very tight and compelling
kirstreads's review against another edition
4.0
gcse math had me feeling this way so i know how these bros feel
threepigeons's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a beautiful read and a really fun book to research along with.