Published in 1913, 'Love Instigated' is Douglass Sherley's first-person account of a feud that feels too bizarre to be true. He presents it as a factual memoir, and whether you buy that or not, it makes for a fantastic story.

The Story

It all begins with a gift. Major Sherley gives his dear friend, Colonel Taylor, a beautifully carved ivory umbrella handle. The problem? The gift isn't as simple as it seems. Colonel Taylor becomes convinced the handle is a subtle insult, a coded message meant to belittle him. What follows is a spectacular unraveling of a lifelong friendship. Taylor launches a campaign of legal harassment and public attacks against Sherley. Lawsuits fly, accusations are printed in newspapers, and their social circle in Louisville is forced to pick sides. The book is Sherley's detailed defense, his chance to lay out every receipt, every letter, and every perceived slight to prove he meant no harm. The central mystery isn't a crime, but a motive: why would a simple gift destroy so much?

Why You Should Read It

Forget sweeping epics; this book's power is in its small-scale madness. Sherley writes with a mix of wounded pride and bewilderment that's incredibly compelling. You're not watching historical figures on a pedestal—you're watching two stubborn, proud men trip over their own egos. The 'love' in the title is ironic, of course. It's about love of self, love of reputation, and the destructive love of being right. Reading it, you'll constantly think, 'Just apologize!' or 'Just let it go!' But they can't, and that's what makes it so human and strangely modern. It's a case study in how a misunderstanding, when nursed by pride, can grow into a monster.

Final Verdict

This isn't for everyone. If you need fast-paced action, look elsewhere. But if you're a patient reader who enjoys character-driven dramas, social history, or true-crime-adjacent stories without the crime, this is a treasure. It's perfect for fans of books that explore the darkly comic side of human nature, like a 19th-century version of a petty neighborhood dispute blown up to the highest court. It's a short, peculiar, and utterly fascinating look at how friendship can shatter over the smallest thing.