by Mark Bowden
First published 2006
On November 4, 1979, a group of radical Iranian students storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans captive. For the next 444 days, the hostages endure brutal interrogations, solitary confinement, and the ever-present threat of execution as the Carter administration struggles to negotiate their release. Amidst the political turmoil, the captives forge unbreakable bonds, finding moments of humanity and resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity. As the world watches with bated breath, a daring rescue mission ends in tragic failure, putting the hostages' very survival in jeopardy. "Guests of the Ayatollah" is a gripping, character-driven account of America's first battle with militant Islam, a clash that would reverberate for decades to come.
Genres: history, 20th-century, non-fiction, american-history
Vibes: character-driven, gripping, suspenseful
Tropes: adversity, resilience
Setting: Iran, United States, Verenigde Staten, Amerikagasshukoku
Period: 20seiki
704 pages · Hardcover · Atlantic Monthly Press
Content warnings: violence