The third volume of Jonathan Sunption's monumantal history of the Hundred Years War covers the period from 1369 to 1393, during which England, reeling from the death of the Black Prince, is on the wane, while France begins a resurgence under Charles VI. This history at its finest- meticulously researched, rich in detail,  penetrating analysis, and above all else lucidly written. 

 The first one volume comprehensive history in English of this epochal event to be published in over 50 years, it is certain to be the definitive English language account for decades to come. Yes, it's a door stop-851 pages without Notes, Bibliography and Index, but don't let that intimidate you. Wilson keeps things moving along at a nice pace without stinting on the details or analysis. The later is particularly insightful as he peels back the layers of myth and spin that generations have heaped upon it.

 A fine general history of the Caucasus covering the period from the beginning of Russian imperial expansion into the area through the post-communist collapse. Engagingly written & well researched, King does an excellent job of navigating the complex and convoluted history of the region, while providing thoughtful analysis and insight into the struggle for freedom that has dominated it for two centuries.

A very readable book on why the ancestors of modern humans survived and the Neanderthals did not. While focused on this central question, Finlayson takes a multidisciplinary approach to examine why some species flourish while others pass into extinction.

 E.B. Sledge's With the Old Breed is one the best combat memoirs ever written.  Told in a vey frank manner without artifice or bombast, this is the account of one man's struggle to hold on to his humanity amid the barbarity and banality of war. Sledge appears in Studs Terkel's The Good War and Ken Burns' The War and the book serves as part of the basis for HBO's The Pacific.

An excellent and accessible account of the Abbasid Caliphate, which ruled the Middle East and part of North Africa from 750 to 1258 CE. Bennison delves into this rich civilization, examining not only the politics, society and culture, but also the people- beggars, merchants, scholars, princes and others who actually constitute it.
This is a good introduction for the general reader about a subject which so many Westerners are sadly ignorant.