"Guests of the Ayatollah" is a non-fiction book by Mark Bowden that recounts the 1979 Iran hostage crisis. The book details the events surrounding the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and the subsequent captivity of 52 American diplomats and citizens for 444 days. Bowden explores the political and social climate in Iran during this period, highlighting the role of Ayatollah Khomeini and the impact of the crisis on U.S.-Iran relations. The narrative combines personal accounts from hostages and insights into the Iranian revolution, providing a comprehensive view of this significant historical event.