Langdon glanced down at his attire. He was wearing his usual charcoal turtleneck, Harris Tweed jacket, khakis, and collegiate cordovan loafers . . . his standard attire for the classroom, lecture circuit, author photos, and social events.
The woman laughed. "Those turtlenecks you wear are so dated. You'd look much sharper in a tie!"
No chance, Langdon thought. Little nooses.
Neckties had been required six days a week when Langdon attended Phillips Exeter Academy, and despite the headmaster's romantic claims that the origin of the cravat went back to the silk fascalia worn by Roman orators to warm their vocal cords, Langdon knew that, etymologically, cravat actually derived from a ruthless band of "Croat" mercenaries who donned knotted neckerchiefs before they stormed into battle. To this day, this ancient battle garb was donned by modern office warriors hoping to intimidate their enemies in daily boardroom battles.
"Thanks for the advice," Langdon said with a chuckle. "I'll consider a tie in the future."
Mercifully, a professional-looking man in a dark suit got out of a sleek Lincoln Town Car parked near the terminal and held up his finger. "Mr. Langdon? I'm Charles with Beltway Limousine." He opened the passenger door. "Good evening, sir. Welcome to Washington."
Langdon tipped Pam for her hospitality and then climbed into the plush interior of the Town Car. The driver showed him the temperature controls, the bottled water, and the basket of hot muffins.
Seconds later, Langdon was speeding away on a private access road. So this is how the other half lives.
As the driver gunned the car up Windsock Drive, he consulted his passenger manifest and placed a quick call. "This is Beltway Limousine," the driver said with professional efficiency. "I was asked to confirm once my passenger had landed." He paused. "Yes, sir. Your guest, Mr. Langdon, has arrived, and I will deliver him to the Capitol Building by seven P.M. You're welcome, sir." He hung up.
Langdon had to smile. No stone left unturned. Peter Solomon's attention to detail was one of his most potent assets, allowing him to manage his substantial power with apparent ease. A few billion dollars in the bank doesn't hurt either.
Langdon settled into the plush leather seat and closed his eyes as the noise of the airport faded behind him. The U.S. Capitol was a half hour away, and he appreciated the time alone to gather his thoughts. Everything had happened so quickly today that Langdon only now had begun to think in earnest about the incredible evening that lay ahead.
Arriving under a veil of secrecy, Langdon thought, amused by the prospect.
Ten miles from the Capitol Building, a lone figure was eagerly preparing for Robert Langdon's arrival.
Excerpted from The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown Copyright (c) 2009 by Dan Brown. Excerpted by permission of Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Brace yourself for the most anticipated novel of the year. The long-awaited follow-up to Brown’s publishing phenomenon The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons, this exhilarating thriller features the return of symbologist Robert Langdon in a fast-paced adventure that takes place within a 12-hour time frame. Weaving more than five years’ worth of research into a taut storyline, it showcases Brown’s prodigious talent for keeping us guessing as Langdon follows a trail of hidden clues and ingenious puzzles in his quest to find the lost symbol.
Packed with secret codes, shadow conspiracies and unexpected twists, this is vintage Dan Brown—a mind-bending, heart-hammering thriller where only one thing is certain: Nothing is ever as it seems.
Lrg Print Hardcover: 784 pages
Publisher: Doubleday & Co, Inc./Div. Random House ( September 15, 2009 )
Item #: 06-1633
ISBN: 9781615232161
Product Dimensions: 6.125 x 9.25 x 1.26 inches
Product Weight: 34.0 ounces

There are many book's out there that can give me the historical info. and background that I got in this book. Often time's I have wanted to delve into these book's, but not this time. I just wanted a good, enjoyable read. Brown offer's more info. then is necessary, to the point where you almost lose the character's. I had the story line figuered out half way through the book as well as what the "Lost Symbol" actually was. This is the first time that I could not wait for a book to end. Too much info. and not enough story Mr. Brown.
Reviewer: Lisa
The book was boring not any thing like the Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons.
Reviewer: David K
I have always enjoyed Dan Brown books but this one has gotten a little slow. It seems that a lot of good authors have a period when their work gets boring. I hope that the next book is back to the thrilling status.
Reviewer: Weldon H
I ENJOYED READING THIS ONE I HAVE READ THE FIRST TO AND THIS ONE SEEMED KINDA PREDICTABLE. I KNEW WHO THE BAD GUY WAS EARLY ON...
I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO REVISIT OUR CAPITAL,I THINK I WAS 12 ON A SCHOOL TRIP AND DO NOT REMEMBER ANYTHING...
Reviewer: Amy622
Dan Brown really knows how to spur your thought processes into gear. I will admit that this was not quite as rivoting as "The DaVinci Code" or "Angels and Demons" but it was still interesting. There were a couple of gasps and sighs of relief in his usual style. The ending was a little too drawn out and a little out of charactor for Robert Langdon. I liked this better than the other 2 books he wrote, though, and would gladly welcome another book by Mr. Brown.
Reviewer: Chris G