I've looked through the book list, but I was hoping for some more specific guidance. I also recently enjoyed Lawrence in Arabia, so both of my recent favorites have been semi-biographical, but also focused on some massive, transformational event in history. And a coherent narrative helps keep me interested! Any and all suggestions welcome.
It seems like you'd really like Mark Bowden's Guests of the Ayatollah:The First Battle in America's War with Militant Islam
I really enjoyed The Ayatollah Begs to Differ by Hooman Majd. Also, I always plug No god but God by Reza Aslan whenever someone has any interest in reading about the history of the Middle East/Islam. Fantastic book by a great author and speaker.