Imagine Dan Brown's "The Lost Symbol" without the excitement. Colonial historian Benjamin Wainwright is drawn into a "shadow war" that touches on The Founding Fathers, the USSR and codes. I kept awake through it, but it has the high octane of a "Visit Washington DC" guide book.

For those who think a Dan Brown comparison is unfair, The Shadow War mentions Dan Brown IN THE FRONT INSIDE COVER FLAP.

Try a different book instead. The Shadow War isn't BAD, it just isn't very good. ( )