Recs if you like Mauve: How One Man Invented a Colour That Changed the World...

microhistory: the intensive historical investigation of a well defined smaller unit of research (such as an event, community, individual or a settlement); it aspires to "ask large questions in small places"

No sweeping ambitions here. We are taking a long, thorough look at one thing. (More or less.) Very open to suggestion!

Super specific history of unexpected things