Why does the author include genuine photographs and documentation from the Cuban Missile Crisis in the novel, Countdown?

Countdown is an example of historical fiction, and the author includes documentary evidence of the real events taking place at the time of Franny's imaginary life. These pieces include photos and quotes taken from various historical and social documents of the time, ranging from newscasts to song lyrics, each of which, helps set the stage for the action and provides the reader with a small lesson in history.