Having some time off, I did my usual and gave the house an autumn clean.
A big chunk of this time is dusting the library - this is both boring and distracting. History books are in strict period order - except for the Japanese and Indian sections which are hived off.
I came across a singular volume - by which I mean it is the only volume covering a particular conflict. I have three books on the Spanish-American War of 1898 (a passing fancy of some years ago), and two on the Russo-Japanese War. At the other end I have many, many volumes about my two main interests - the Napoleonic Wars and WWII, but there is only one period for which I have only one volume.
This is the Spanish Armada, and the book is "The Spanish Armada" by Colin Martin and Geoffrey Parker.
The period has never really gripped me -the Tudor monarchs are of little interest, being overdone in the entertainment media and far less momentous than the Stuarts*. The only reason I can think that I bought the book is that it was published in 1988, when we were all excited about the 400th Anniversary.
Why don't I get rid of it? Err ... it's not a fiction book, it's a keep book.
(https://images.bwbcovers.com/039/The-Spanish-Armada-Martain-Colin-9780393026078.jpg)
My question, gentlemen, is do you have similar literary cuckoos in your nests? Sole volumes that failed to spark your interest? Single tomes that refused to toll your bell? Why are they there?
*I'll see your Church of England, and raise you the Union of the Crowns, the Civil Wars, the Great Plague, Pepys, Marlborough and the Union of the Parliaments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj_sShtjvpE
Knight's of Christ - not into the Crusdaer period, think it was a pressie from my mum.