While planning the “Henrik Bertelsen Saga“, I decided to start the first book, “Tumult in Mecca“, in 1979. That year was pivotal for me personally: I completed a project in Saudi Arabia, resigned from my government job, and began working as a sales trainee for an American computer company. It was also the year my wife and I, along with some friends, established a co-housing community—and the year we adopted a child from Indonesia. So much happened in 1979 that it felt like the perfect starting point for the eight-book series I was about to write.
The story of Henrik Bertelsen would unfold within a historical framework, similar to the structure of “Forrest Gump”. As I researched global events from 1979, I discovered a wealth of inspiration.
That year, the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty was signed, marking Egypt as the first Arab country to formally recognize Israel. In Nicaragua, the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN) overthrew Anastasio Somoza Debayle, ending the Somoza family’s 43-year dictatorship. Meanwhile, the U.S. and China officially established diplomatic relations, ending decades of estrangement after the Chinese Civil War.
1979 also brought a second major oil shock, disrupting global production and causing oil prices to skyrocket. This led to energy crises in many Western countries and economic instability worldwide, including in Denmark. At the same time, the UK and U.S. began shifting toward economic deregulation under leaders like Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, moving away from the post-war Keynesian model.
On the geopolitical front, the USSR invaded Afghanistan, and in Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini returned from exile, establishing a theocratic regime. This culminated in the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, where 52 American diplomats and citizens were taken hostage. Additionally, that year, the Grand Mosque in Mecca was seized by armed religious extremists, sparking violent demonstrations against the U.S.—despite its lack of involvement in the matter.
These events, particularly in the Middle East, provided the ideal backdrop for Henrik Bertelsen’s business venture in Saudi Arabia, so I decided to weave them into the story. In doing so, the title, “Tumult in Mecca“, practically chose itself.
This post was first published on Gina Ray Mitchell’s blog.
