The book explores the causes of the hostage-taking (mostly from the American perspective), commenting on the events which took place in the embassy.

Bourne later attempts to take refuge in the American embassy, but is forced to strike out on his own after guards try to arrest him.

The following morning Kevin Brown took a private call in the embassy from one of his men.

After his discharge, he took refuge in the French embassy, where he remained until the spring of 1937 when he moved to France.

Kinigi and other senior government figures took refuge in the French embassy, and survived the chaos.

Most westerners took refuge in the French embassy from which they were taken by truck to Thailand two weeks later.

Charlemagne took refuge in the Argentine embassy and went into exile once again.

It would have been easier, of course, if Friday could have taken all three men out in the embassy.

When their coup failed, the conspirators took refuge in the Soviet embassy on September 14, 1979.

Alassane Ouattara took refuge in the French embassy, and his home was burned down.