Explore the fascinating world of black holes in this 54-minute lecture by Chris Impey at The Royal Institution. Delve into the extreme nature of these cosmic objects, their presence at the center of every galaxy, and their significant role in theoretical physics. Learn about Einstein's contributions, general relativity, and how light follows curved space-time. Discover the life cycle of stars, black hole basics, and the information paradox. Examine gravitational engines, waves, and the detection of space-time ripples. Investigate black hole mergers and the intriguing concepts of death by black hole. Gain insights from Impey, a distinguished professor and researcher with extensive NASA and National Science Foundation experience, as he unravels the mysteries of these cosmic monsters.