Chapter 3 Summary

Several months later, Einstein asks Uncle Jake to explain how the compass works. His uncle says they should begin with the Magnetic North Pole and drops a ball to illustrate gravitational attraction.

The young Einstein asks where gravity is. His uncle responds that it is in space and suggests he question his teacher. But the boy says he hates school, because it is like being a soldier that must march with officers shouting at him and lives away from his family. His teachers, 6-year-old Albert says, are concerned with rote recitation, not understanding, and they don't like being questioned.

His uncle suggests Albert save his questions for Uncle Jake, but right now he must return to the factory. The boy retreats to his space under the shrubs, wondering how space can be empty yet full of gravity and magnetism.

In addition to military...