In 1961, new president John F. Kennedy inherited an ill-conceived, poorly executed invasion of Cuba that failed miserably and set in motion the events that put the U.S. and the Soviet Union on a collision course that nearly started a war that would have enveloped much of the world. Extensively researched and vividly imagined, The Shadow of War brings to life the many threads that led to this crisis between in 1962. This compelling story is told from a multitude of perspectives and voices: from the Russian engineer attempting the near-impossible task of building the missile launch facilities in Cuba and the U.S. Navy commanders whose ships are sent to 'quarantine' that country to the Soviet Premier, Nikita Khrushchev, and the brothers John F. and Robert Kennedy. While Khrushchev is desperately trying to maintain a balance between the conflicting demands of various powerful forces in the U.S.S.R., JFK cannot allow Russia to place nuclear missiles in Cuba or appear weak in confronting Khrushchev. Yet, as events unfold, both leaders keenly understand how close they are dancing to the edge of war. Award-winning novelist Jeff Shaara once again weaves historical details and figures, famous and little known, into a riveting account of a devastating war that almost happened, the Cuban Missile Crisis.