Book details

Citadel on the Mountain

A Memoir of Father and Son

Author: Richard Wertime

Citadel on the Mountain

Citadel on the Mountain

$22.00

Trade Paperback

About This Book

A warped dream, an overbearing father, and his son

A handsome, brilliant man, the author's father-irascible, strong-willed, a compulsive womanizer-stands at the center...

Page Count
192
On Sale
05/16/2003

Book Details

A warped dream, an overbearing father, and his son

A handsome, brilliant man, the author's father-irascible, strong-willed, a compulsive womanizer-stands at the center of this strangely compelling story.

In the mid-1970s, after a life in government service, which was shadowy in its depths, Ted Wertime built a fortress-like house on a mountaintop in south-central Pennsylvania. He had forged for himself a secondary career as a highly respected historian of ancient science and technology, and was convinced that it was his fate to lead a sweeping revolution that would cleanse the United States of energy abuse, political corruption, and an odd assortment of social ills. His "citadel" would serve as his revolutionary headquarters. He, his wife, and Joan, the last and most troubled of his succession of mistresses, lived in the house together in a bizarre ménage à trois. His dream was to recruit his four sons to take part in his cause.

The author, Richard Wertime, is the second-oldest son. Citadel on the Mountain is the story of his struggle to escape from a domineering and, at times, hypnotizing father who sought to control the sexual and professional lives of his offspring.

Imprint Publisher

Farrar, Straus and Giroux

ISBN

9780374529147

In The News

"A portrait that is at once loving and heartbroken, confused and sympathetic. It adds up to a remarkable—and unsettling—study in failure and forgiveness." - Kirkus Reviews

About the Creators

Citadel on the Mountain

Citadel on the Mountain

$22.00

Trade Paperback