None Upon Earth (Paperback)

Paperback. Prussia, 1710. An intense psychological battle between a controlling and abusive father and a sensitive son.King Frederick William's maniacal behavior and military saber-rattling have plunged Prussia into turmoil. The succession is in doubt; spies are everywhere. In public and in private, the king physically and verbally abuses his son Crown Prince Frederick (later Frederick the Great). The comfort-loving Frederick would rather play cards, write love letters and compose music than command the army, so he resists his father, with his mother's encouragement and support. After Frederick's 18th birthday his father's abuse intensifies, so Frederick attempts to flee the country with his best friend, Lieutenant Hans von Katte. The king arrests them both for desertion. He orders Hans beheaded and forces Frederick to watch the execution, then makes his son shoulder all the blame for the death of his best friend. Frederick suffers a mental collapse and eventually submits to his father-or does he? Is he simply acting the part, strategically biding his time until his father dies and he can ascend the throne himself? This item is printed on demand. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability.…