References - Chapters 1-5

Henry Kissinger;

• "'Oh,' I said. I didn't know who Henry Kissinger was, and I might have asked. But at the moment, I watched with horror as one of the chapandaz fall off his saddle and was trampled under a score of hooves. His body was tossed and hurled in the stampede like a rag doll, finally rolling to a stop when the melee moved on. He twitched once and lay motionless, his legs bent at unnatural angles, a pool of blood soaking through the sand." p. 21
• Henry served as the 56th Secretary of State, assisted the president, recipient of a noble prize, and many other things. While he was in office he was accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity and offenses against law.

Steve McQueen;

• "Then, Baba and I drove off in his black Ford mustang- a car that drew envious looks everywhere because it was the same car Steve McQueen had driven in Bullit, a film that played in one theater for six months." p. 27
• Steve was an American actor, most popular in the 60's&70's, received an academy award,

Bullit;

•  "Then, Baba and I drove off in his black Ford mustang- a car that drew envious looks everywhere because it was the same car Steve McQueen had driven in Bullit, a film that played in one theater for six months." p. 27
• Bullit is a 1968 dramatic thriller film, was made by McQueen's Solar Production Company, the film was a critical and box office smash, won the academy award for best film editing, and is remembered for its car chase scene through the streets of San Francisco, "one of the most influential in movie history."

Zahir Shah;

• "The king, Zahir Shah, was away in Italy." p. 36
• Zahir Shah was the last king of Afghanistan, reigned for 4 years, was given the title 'Father of the Nation' until he died.

fall of Afghan monarchy July 1973;

• "As it turned out, they hadn't shot much of anything that night of July 17, 1973." p. 36
• While the king was on vacation, Khan seized power. There was rioting and shooting.