The book explains the real world sources that which inspired all of the Tintin books. Politics, people, events and objects are all covered. Hergé, Tintin's creator, based his stories on real events happening in the world during his time, such as the political tensions of the 1930s and post-Second World War events. The German Anschluss with Austria, the Japanese invasion of Manchuria, and the revolutionary activities of Régis Debray in South America are just a few of the people, events and phenomena which are reflected in Herge's stories.