21st Century Books

Our 21st century collection is our newest, made up of modern secondhand books rather than genuine antiques. Much of what's here is specialist non-fiction: Scottish history and castles, regional archaeology, biography and reference works, many published by small presses or historical societies in limited runs that went out of print quickly. For earlier finds, our 20th Century Books collection is worth exploring too.

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21st Century Books: specialist history, biography and out-of-print non-fiction

A lot of what's here was never printed in huge numbers to begin with: a regional history society's transactions, an English Heritage guide, a biography from a small independent press. Once a run like that sells out, it doesn't get reprinted, so a secondhand copy can be the only way to find it years later.

History and biography make up a large share, especially Scottish castles, architecture and regional history, alongside archaeology, memoirs and the occasional novel. If you're looking for something broader, our Scottish Books and Biographies & Autobiographies collections are worth a look.

Each book is individually photographed and described in the listing, with any wear noted so you know exactly what you're buying. If you already know what you're after, the search bar at the top of the page is the fastest way to find it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of 21st century books do you have?

Our 21st century collection is mostly specialist non-fiction: Scottish history and castles, regional archaeology, biography and reference works, plus a smaller range of fiction.

Are these books antique or vintage?

No. Everything in this collection was published from 2000 onwards, so these are modern secondhand books rather than antiques. For genuinely antique and vintage stock, our 20th Century Books collection is a good place to start.

Do you have books on a specific author or region?

A lot of our 21st century stock is Scotland-focused, so our Scottish History Books and Scottish Books collections are worth checking too.

How is condition assessed?

We photograph each book closely so you can see its condition before you buy. Since these are modern secondhand books rather than antiques, most are in good condition, and anything worth knowing, such as a previous owner's name or a bumped corner, is noted in the listing.

How much are 21st century books worth?

Prices are generally modest, since these are recent secondhand books rather than rare antiques. Scarcer specialist or small-press titles, especially out-of-print ones, can cost more.

Do you have signed copies?

Yes, a number of our 21st century books are signed by the author, and this is always stated clearly in the listing.

Are 21st century books a good gift?

Yes, especially for someone with a specific interest, such as Scottish castles, regional history or a particular biography subject. Because these are recent publications, they also work well as a birthday-year tie-in for anyone born from the 2000s onwards.

Do you ship internationally?

We ship worldwide, with free UK delivery on orders over £50, and every book is carefully packaged before it goes out.

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